6 Cubby Bookshelf

Difficulty

Intermediate

Free plans to make this 6 Cubby Bookshelf!

Thank you for speaking up about this plan when I asked in the Four Cubby Bookshelf if anyone wanted the Sixer. I'm excited to post these plans for you! I just love cubbies!

You could use this cubby bookshelf in your bathroom to store towels and baskets, as a kids closet with rods on both sides, in your entryway to keep shoes, boots, handbags and more organized ... where couldn't you use a piece like this one?

Don't forget, we put together a video of the 9 Cubby Bookshelf. This one follows the same building steps.

Dimensions

Dimensions are shown above.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 1x12 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x12 @ 12 feet long
4 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long
Optional moulding (6 foot stick of 2 1/4" base moulding)
Shelf pins (if using)
Either 1 1/4" pocket hole screws or 2" wood screws
1 1/4" finish nails
Wood glue
Finishing Supplies
NOTE: You will not need all of the tools shown - only those that apply to what you are doing. For example, you will not need a miter saw if you are not adding base moulding.

Cut List

BOX
1 - 1x12 @ 30 1/4"
2 - 1x12 @ 45 1/2"
1 - 1x12 @ 42 3/4"
4 - 1x12 @ 14"

FACEFRAMES
4 - 1x2 @ 44 3/4"
2 - 1x2 @ 30 1/4"
2 - 1x2 @ 27 1/4"
1 - 1x2 @ 41 1/4"

Optional moulding is cut to fit.

Tools

General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

You can build either with pocket holes or countersunk screws. It's fully framed, so you could even build with nails and glue, but I recommend screws for added insurance.

Your shelves are 14" wide, so center the center partition leaving 14" on each side. That's 14 3/4" if you are measuring from the outsides.

Make sure you leave a 2" gap under neath the bottom shelf.

It may make more sense at this stage to drill your shelf pins if you are using adjustable shelves.

If you are using fixed shelves, it will make more sense to add them right now - see step 4.

Step 2

Now construct your back face frame and attach to back. Middle divider should be nailed to middle partition. Note that there is a 1 1/4" gap under the bottom trim. Sorry, don't know why I didn't mark that in the plans!

Step 3

Followed by the front face frame ...

Step 4

And then the shelves.

Step 5

Finishing Instructions

Preparation Instructions

Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Project Type

Bookshelf and Bookcase Plans

Cubby Project Plans

Room

Storage Solutions

Teens

Style

Children's and Kid's Room Furniture and Toy Plans

Comments

Sheri (not verified)

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 06:32

mount on wall?

can the cubbies (4, 6 or 9) be mounted on the wall instead of adding the footers? if yes, are the directions posted somewhere?
we are out of space and need to use some of our wasted space!
thanks in advance!

Mindy (not verified)

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 15:20

Is there anyway someone could show or give directions how to make this 6 cubby bookshelf to sit horizontally instead (so it would be 3 cubbies wide and 2 cubbies high)? I have wanted a bookshelf just like this one for FOREVER for our family room but we've never built anything. Finally am convincing dh that we need to try building this together but being rookies, would need the actual steps how to build it horizontally instead.

BellaB (not verified)

Mon, 06/04/2012 - 06:44

Bottom shelf

Ana is the bottom shelf included in this cut list? I looked back at the 4 cubby bookshelf and used the 28 3/4" measurement. Thanks for your incredible site, Ana! I am having so much fun with these projects and never dreamed I could make these things myself!

amyjeanae

Sun, 09/16/2012 - 13:01

bottom shelf

Thank you for posting this! I am making this shelf and mid-process realized this was missing!!!!

Ana: You need to add the bottom shelf cut! :)

Amerrell (not verified)

Fri, 06/08/2012 - 19:22

Adding doors

Does anyone know how hard it would be to add door fronts to this? What adjustments need to be made?

Quintin79

Sun, 09/16/2012 - 16:18

I would drop the base

I would drop the base moulding and make the door 1 3/4" shorter than the bookcase. When you install it make it flush to the top. Oh width would be the same as the bookcase or if you want you could make a 1/4" reveal around the top and sides. Just make sure you buy hinges made for face framed .

the minesweeper (not verified)

Sun, 09/30/2012 - 14:45

BOTTOM SHELF IS MISSING

kinda frustrating as this happened with the bunk bed we made from this site, too. the bottom shelf is missing from the cut list so be sure to purchase additional wood for this project. 28 3/4"

AmyB1234 (not verified)

Wed, 12/05/2012 - 12:22

Missing Cut List

Yep, it is missing the box bottom board on the cut list. Hubby is laying it out right now to cut for me. He said if he had bought two 12" boards instead of one 12" and on 8" he would have enough.

mik123

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 13:38

Tools

Hi everyone, I want to make this bookshelf, and it would be my first handyman project. The equipment in the 9-shelf video looks so handy, but I don't have any of the tools and they are too expensive for me to buy. How possible is it to build this without them? E.g. get the boards pre-cut from a hardware store, use rulers & pencils, and hand-nail the nails in. I would be happy to invest in an electric drill and electric sander but don't think I could afford the rest... Thanks :)

Jamaunzie

Sat, 03/02/2013 - 15:55

I was looking at the plans

I was looking at the plans and personally I would not want to take it on with out the tools, that being said people have been building stuff without all the fancy tools for along time. These plans will have you toe nailing the shelves and if the place you get the wood cut is off on the measurements your boards will not line up right, you could end up with something that looks like the leaning tower of Pisa. Even a cheap hand saw and some modification of installing the shelves ( like a 1x1 board nailed to wall ) to give you something to keep from toe nailing would work. Like the old saying goes if there's a will there’s a way good luck on your endeavors.

amyalotsamom

Wed, 08/20/2014 - 10:14

Just built this and measurement is off...but don't stress it!

It still looks great, but the board that is supposed to be cut at 42 3/4" should be cut at 42". if you have 13.5" open space between the boards and each shelf board is .75" thick the middle vertical board length should be 42".
13.5+13.5+13.5+.75+.75=42"

papabear

Sat, 09/27/2014 - 02:26