Flat Wall Book Shelves

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Difficulty

Beginner

About Project

In a children's room, it just makes sense to store books facing flat. Then children can put their own books away. Also, flat bookshelves take up less floor space, a bonus for often tiny secondary bedrooms. Special thanks to Matt, Heather and many other readers for sharing their photos.

I love the trend toward storing children’s books flat, because, let’s face it, it’s no fun to constantly rack books in a traditional bookshelf because your preschooler dug out all the books looking for Goodnight Moon. And this bookrack is particularly wonderful because it is attractive, has several shelves, and takes up only a tiny bit of room.
Handy with a jigsaw? Got a drill? You can build this bookrack.

Dimensions

Overall Dimensions are shown above. Composition is solid wood boards. Footer is base moulding, 3 1/4″ wide.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 – 12′ 1×6 Board (cut sides out of this board)

1 – 8′ 1×6 Board (cut shelves out of this board)

3 – 1×2 Boards

40″ of 3 1/4″ Base Moulding, between 1/2″ and 1″ thick

2″ Screws

Wood Glue

Wood Filler

Common Materials

1-1/4" Pocket Hole Screws

Elmer's Wood Glue

Elmer's Wood Filler

120 grit sandpaper

primer

wood conditioner

paint

paint brush

Cut List

2 – 1×6 @ 57″ (Sides, Top Cut out in step 1)

4 – 1×6 @ 22 1/2″ (Shelves)

11 – 1×2 @ 22 1/2″ (Back Supports and Front Rails)

3 1/4″ Base Moulding, mitered for footer

Tools

Instructions

Step 1

Side Cutouts. Using the measurements above to guide you, cut out the sides at the top as shown above. Once one side is cutout to your satisfaction, use it as a pattern for the other side. This will keep the side the same. Use either a bandsaw or a jigsaw.

Step 2

Box. Build the box by using 2″ screws and fastening the shelves to the sides, as shown above. Measurements above are to the bottoms of the shelves.

Step 3

Back Supports. Fasten the back supports to the sides and the shelves. Make sure the bookrack is square before this step. Use 2″ screws and glue.

Step 4

Front Rails. Cut out 4 of the front rails (1×2 @ 22 1/2″) in a simple arch shape above as shown in red. Then, as you did the back supports, fasten the front rails in place. Make sure you bookrack is square before fastening the rails, as this step will set the bookrack.

Step 5

Step 6

Finishing. Fill any holes with wood filler and sand and finish as desired. Screw through the back supports into a stud in the wall to keep the bookrack in place. You could alternatively use a picture hanging kit to fasten the bookrack to the wall.

Project Type

Bookshelf and Bookcase Plans