Free Woodworking Plans to Build a Simple Craft Space Bookshelf

Submitted by RyTurner / The Design Confidential
Project Image
Project Details

As some of you know, the TDC Headquarters has been a project in progress for months...

As a gal who typically works from home in the DIY and Design Blogging biz, you can imagine perhaps that I receive a decent amount of product coming through my doors. Without proper storage and organization of these items, things can get overwhelming quickly... not to mention lost and forgotten, never to be seen again until I have missed my deadline and created a very scattered blogging environment.

Enough is enough, you know what I mean? I have 20 or more projects going at any given time and it will continue on in this manner indefinitely as far as I can tell. Nothing to do but embrace it, and build myself a suitable home for all of these amazing things I have the pleasure of trying out and creating tutorials for. Better pleasure than pain, and boxes stacked in my entry, office, and garage is in fact quite painful to my mind and body (not fun to step on something or stub your darn toe walking in the door).

This project is what I will call a work in progress since I have been slowly adding to the shelving as I determine it's best and brightest use... Who knows...in time, I may end up with 32 shelves on this baby and be perfectly content! or not... whatyagonnado?

Now this isn't one of this projects that is perfectly styled and looking like it's right out of a catalog or magazine..nope this baby is going to be used in real life by me and so it needs to function like my real life, which means every shelf is going to be packed to the brim in no time flat!

Showcase: Built From These Plans
I am so honored each and every time one of you fine friends builds from these very plans! If you have built this piece, please take a moment and showcase your build! We are dying to see your fabulous hard work!

Estimated Cost

$25-$50

Tools
  • Tape Measure
  • Safety Gear
  • Drill
  • Kreg Jig - optional but recommended
  • Nail Gun - optional but recommended
  • Saw - unless you have your local lumber supplier make your cuts for you!
Lumber
  • 1 - 2x4 at 6'
  • 1 - 1x12 at 4'
  • 2 - 1x10 at 6'
  • 4 - 1x8 at 6'
  • 3 - 1x2 at 6'
  • 1 - 1x2 at 8'
  • 1 - 1x4 at 6'
Materials
  • 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws OR 2" Wood Screws
  • 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws
  • 1 1/4" Wood Screws
  • 2" Finish Nails
  • Wood Filler
  • Wood Glue
  • Sanding Supplies
  • Finishing Supplies
Cut List
  • 2 - 2x4 at 35 1/2" Base Frame
  • 2 - 1x10 at 23 1/2" Base Sides
  • 2 - 1x10 at 35 1/2" Base Tops
  • 1 - 1x12 at 39" Base of the Top
  • 2 - 1x8 at 60" Top Sides
  • 4 - 1x8 at 35 1/2" Shelves
  • 2 - 1x2 at 60" Top Trim Sides
  • 1 - 1x2 at 34" Top Trim Top
  • 1 - 1x2 at 37" Base Trim on top of Bottom Trim
  • 2 - 1x2 at 19 1/4" Side Base Trim
  • 1 - 1x2 at 34" Top Base Trim
  • 1 - 1x4 at 37" Base Trim at very Bottom
Instructions

Before beginning to build, always check in on my site to make sure you have the most up to date set of plans, I occasionally update and change the plans to make the building process easier or to allow for less expensive purchasing of materials! Read through the entire set of instructions and all comments before beginning this project. If you print out or save plans, be sure to check in on my site to be sure you have the most up to date set of plans, as I occasionally update things for ease of building or buying. If you are new to building, read through the GETTING STARTED section and other articles found under the BUILD tab in the menu on my site, it has valuable information about how to get started, tools and techniques. If you are unfamiliar with the finishing process, visit my Finishing school for some tips and tricks for painting like a pro and for special finishing practices. Use glue to secure your joints and Consider Painting or Staining individual sections prior to assembling. This makes the paint application virtually flawless. Coat with a spray on Poly or Wipe on Poly to protect your finish and your piece and it will last for ages. Adhere to all safety standards and guidelines, and be sure you follow safety protocol throughout your build. If you are unsure about whether you are building safely, run a quick online search for the tool or technique you are using, or contact me via email or post to the forum before you move ahead. My contact info can be found in the menu of my site.

Step 1

Build the Base Frame and Sides: Attach the 2x4's to the Sides using your Kreg Jig set for 1 1/2" stock and your 2 1/2" pocket hole screws and glue or your 2 1/2" Wood Screws and glue.

Step 1
Step 2

Attach the Base Tops: Use your Kreg Jig set for 3/4" stock and your 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and glue to attach the Top, Top and your Finish Nails to attach the Bottom Top to the Frame.

Step 2
Step 3

Build the Top Shelving Unit: Attach your Shelves to the Sides using your Kreg Jig set for 3/4" stock and your 1 1/4" pocket hole screws and glue to attach the Shelves to the Sides. Attach the Top Base from underneath using 2" Screws. Be sure you leave 1" overhang on either side of the Top Shelving unit and 3/4" overhang on the backside.

Step 3
Step 4

Attach the Top Unit to the Base and add optional Cleats: Attach the Top Unit to the Base up through the Top of the Base Unit using 1 1/4" screws. If you are concerned about children climbing or tipping, add cleats to the backside of your Shelf at the top and at the base of the Top unit to provide stability and allow you to attach your shelves to the wall. Be sure to secure into the studs if you plan on doing this.

Step 4
Step 5

Trim out the Base Unit: Add the Bottom Most trim first (the 1x4) and then add your 1x2 horizontal trim on top of that. Attach the remaining side and top trim to the base unit. Use 2" finish nails and glue to secure.

Step 5
Step 6

Trim out the Top Unit: Attach your trim to the sides and top of your shelf using 2" finish nails and glue.

Step 6
Step 7

Secure to the Wall using drywall screws or wall dog anchors, and be sure to attach to the studs.

Step 7
Finishing Instructions

Fill any Screw, Nail or Pocket Holes, Sand and Finish as Desired. For Finishing Tips and Tricks visit my Finishing School

Disclaimer

**Disclaimer: Some rights reserved. Private use only. Feel Free to link to any of my plans so long as you provide an adequate link back to the appropriate post! Plans from this page are not to be used for commercial purposes or republished without the express written consent of Rayan Turner, The Design Confidential I hope to provide accurate plans, however, I cannot guarantee each plan for accuracy. Not every plan that I post has been built and tested, so you are building at your own risk. It is recommended that you have a clear understanding of how the project works before beginning any project. Please contact me if you find an error or inaccuracy so that I might fix it.

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