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DIY Built-in Shelving

January 7, 2021DIY Woodworking

I love the look of a custom built-in. What really separates a free standing bookshelf from a custom bookshelf to me is the trim work and moulding that is added. We have done a few DIY home projects and this is one of my favorite to date.

This DIY built in shelving project was one that we added in our playroom to maximize storage space for toys and board games. Check out the straightforward process!

This DIY built in shelving follows a very basic technique for beginner woodworkers to create functional storage.#diywoodworking #diybuiltins #playroomstorage #beginnerwoodworking #buildityou

DIY Built in Shelving for a Playroom

When we purchased this house, the room off of the living room had media shelving along one wall.

This is the room that we use for our playroom, and with the shelving being only about 9 inches deep, baskets and board games hung over. I wanted this space to really fit everything and also be fully accessible for the kids – so we built exactly what we needed!

When researching this project I had initially decided upon doing an Ikea hack built in where you place the Ikea bookshelves along the wall and trim them up. This sounded like the easiest option, but after further consideration I wanted extra deep shelves that Ikea bookcases didn’t allow.

In making a custom build, I was able to measure our deepest board game and our tallest toy, and build shelves that would exactly fit those items. This made me SO happy 🙂

This DIY built in shelving follows a very basic technique for beginner woodworkers to create functional storage.#diywoodworking #diybuiltins #playroomstorage #beginnerwoodworking #buildityou

Planning the DIY Built in Shelving

When planning the space that you want to fit the shelving into, take basic measurements such as width, height and depth. Then, start sketching!

Putting a pencil to paper is still my favorite way to plan a project like this. I wanted the shelves in certain spots to fit exactly what we needed, so my bottom shelves have more space between them than my top shelves.

For us, the bottom shelves have baskets of toys and large toy towers, and the top shelves contain stacks of board games.

When planning, consider the style of trim that you like, including baseboard and crown moulding for the top of your built in shelving. Trust me, these will be what really make these look spectacular.

What you need to make the built in shelving

  • MDF boards (Home Depot will rip these to the lengths that you need)
  • Nail gun
  • Miter Saw
  • Table or Circular Saw
  • Moulding
  • edge tape
  • Caulk
  • Plastic wood
  • Paint

Framing the built-in shelving

For this project, we kept the back wall open so anchored the side walls of the bookcase to the back wall with brackets.

This DIY Built in Shelving is a great project for beginners who want a budget friendly way to add custom built in storage for their space. #built ins #diy built ins #built in shelving #diy wood projects #diy home projects

In order to frame the bottom of the bookcase, float the bottom shelf up a few inches so that you can add baseboard in the front of the bottom shelf, making it look custom.

We chose to encase the top of the shelving with a box, so didn’t place a top on the unit, instead went all the way up to the ceiling with the side walls.

Add the shelving to the built ins

Rather than adding pocket holes and floating the shelving, we went with an easier option by placing 1″x1″ square dowel rods as brackets for each shelf.

Cut the dowels to the depth of the unit with the miter saw. Cut two per shelf you are adding.

This DIY Built in Shelving is a great project for beginners who want a budget friendly way to add custom built in storage for their space. #built ins #diy built ins #built in shelving #diy wood projects #diy home projects

Measure the height of each shelf, and using your level and nail gun, attach a dowel to the inside of each wall board where the shelf will be placed.

Cut the MDF plank to the width that you need for each shelf, then place the shelf on the dowel brackets.

Continue adding dowel brackets and shelves.

To make a box like we did on our shelving, place a board across the top of the unit, and then a board on each side of the unit. Ue the nail gun to secure all of this into place.

This DIY Built in Shelving is a great project for beginners who want a budget friendly way to add custom built in storage for their space. #built ins #diy built ins #built in shelving #diy wood projects #diy home projects

You should now have a basic bookcase frame with shelving and a box around the top!

Add the finishing touches

This is where the moulding and the trim work comes in and really makes the project pop.

Add baseboard to the bottom of the cabinet, wrapping around the sides but cutting the edges with a miter saw at a 45 degree angle.

Add moulding to the sides of the bookcase, we chose a thick reed moulding that has a nice look to it.

Add crown moulding around the top of the built in wrapping around the sides as well.

This DIY Built in Shelving is a great project for beginners who want a budget friendly way to add custom built in storage for their space. #built ins #diy built ins #built in shelving #diy wood projects #diy home projects

Use edge tape on any exposed shelving fronts by ironing on to the wood according to the directions, this is such a great hack that allows you to use particle board for this project.

Once all of the wood is nailed on, use caulk on any seams where the wood meets the wall, and use plastic wood filler to fill in any nail holes or patch up seams where moulding meets each other.

I added some peel and stick shiplap wallpaper to the exterior walls of this project to give it a little extra pizzaz.

This DIY Built in Shelving is a great project for beginners who want a budget friendly way to add custom built in storage for their space. #built ins #diy built ins #built in shelving #diy wood projects #diy home projects

Ta-Da! Your built ins should be complete!

This DIY built in shelving follows a very basic technique for beginner woodworkers to create functional storage.#diywoodworking #diybuiltins #playroomstorage #beginnerwoodworking #buildityou

We opted to add a little window seat in between the two built ins, my kids love this space to read!

This DIY built in shelving follows a very basic technique for beginner woodworkers to create functional storage.#diywoodworking #diybuiltins #playroomstorage #beginnerwoodworking #buildityou

Psst, check out that DIY Wall Sconce for under $10!

Have any questions about making your DIY built in shelving?

I wish I had taken more detailed process photos of the step by step of this project, but I wanted to give you a general idea of how to build these!

If you have any questions at all, leave me a comment here or DM me on Instagram and I’ll answer to the best of my ability!

Like this? Check out the DIY Built-ins from stock cabinets that we did in our living room around the fireplace too!

Related Posts:

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  • DIY Built-ins with Stock Cabinets
    DIY Built-ins with Stock Cabinets
  • Built-in Gaming Console with Stock Cabinets - Fall ORC Week 3
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Previous Post: « DIY Built-ins with Stock Cabinets
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. FAGGS6

    January 8, 2021 at 5:03 pm

    Thank you!!1

    Reply

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  1. DIY Built-ins with Stock Cabinets says:
    January 8, 2021 at 8:24 pm

    […] not even close to professional (or even intermediate) builders. After figuring out how to create built-in shelving in our playroom and adding some basic closet shelving, we felt confident enough to tackle the DIY built-ins from […]

    Reply
  2. DIY Wall Sconce from a Table Lamp - Make it with Kate says:
    January 10, 2021 at 5:29 am

    […] how to make the DIY built-in shelving that this lamp is attached […]

    Reply
  3. DIY Closet Shelves: Hall Closet Organization on a Budget - Make it with Kate says:
    January 13, 2021 at 4:11 am

    […] DIY Built-in Shelving […]

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Welcome!

Find inspiration for DIY home projects and crafts on a budget! You can usually find me with either a hot glue gun or a can of spray paint in hand 🙂

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makeitwithkate

Who loves a planked ceiling? 🤚 🤚🤚 This is Who loves a planked ceiling? 🤚 🤚🤚 This is a great beginner project - details below, and highlight bubble titled “ceiling”:

🌟 unfinished pine tongue and groove from @loweshomeimprovement 
🌟 Early American and Weathered Oak stain from @varathane 
🌟  @ryobitoolsusa  sander, nail gun and miter saw 
🌟 moulding from @homedepot 
🌟 inspiration from @angelarosehome 

Steps:

1️⃣Sand and stain all of the boards, I like to layer the stains with early American first then weathered oak

2️⃣ cut boards to width

3️⃣ place them in the opposite direction of the ceiling joists with the nailer, nailing into studs as you go

4️⃣ attach moulding and caulk the seams

#diy #plankedceiling #moderntraditional #diyhomedecor #diyhomeprojects #girlswithpowertools #homedesign #halfbath #halfbathmakeover #walltreatment
Arched built-ins are done!! 🤍🤍 I love this s Arched built-ins are done!! 🤍🤍 I love this simple transformation and think it really updates this living room a bit. ➡️swipe all the way through to see the before! #diy #diybuilds #girlswithpowertools #homedesign #homedecor #livingroomdesign #moderntraditional #shediys
Back to renovating this space piece by piece, good Back to renovating this space piece by piece, goodbye carpet and hello hardwoods! Next up, updating the built ins a bit :) ⏩ swipe to see the before 😳 #diyblogger #homedecor #moderntraditional #homerenovation #bhg #houseflip #homeupdate @flooranddecor
⭐🌲⭐It's now week 82 of the #RefinishedFurni ⭐🌲⭐It's now week 82 of the #RefinishedFurnitureTour !⁣⁣⁣⁣
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We hope you will join us to connect with new artists and get inspired to refinish and style your furniture in unique ways!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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Here’s how to join!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 1. Follow Our Hosts:⁣⁣⁣⁣
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@lubblyjubblyfurniture⁣⁣⁣⁣
@click2restore⁣⁣⁣⁣
@bluewreninteriors
@khicktiques_ 
@redeemedwoodcreations 
⁣
And Guest hosts

@lively.by.lu
@needleandbrushdecor
@ourlovelylittlefarm
@purposely_refurbished
@renata.tully
@the_shabby_pearl
@upbycris
@vintage_mimosa_fl

🎨 2. Follow the hashtag #RefinishedFurnitureTour⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 3. Follow the accounts under the hashtag you find inspiring!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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🎨 4. DM a permanent host to join the tour and start connecting with new friends!⁣⁣⁣⁣
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The #RefinishedFurnitureTour will run every Monday at 12 noon EST through Wednesday at 12 noon EST.⁣⁣⁣⁣
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In addition, we will be hosting giveaways once a month for tour members! 🎉⁣⁣⁣

#refinishedfurnituretour82
Who loves a good #ikeaflip ?! 🤚 Better yet, who Who loves a good #ikeaflip ?! 🤚 Better yet, who loves a FB Marketplace/IKEA flip??!! 🤚🤚🤚 #ad Would you take a look at how this @myoverlays Gracie kit COMPLETELY transformed this piece! It looks so custom! ➡️➡️ swipe to see the before and tell me if you would think it’s the same piece!
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@myoverlays are decorative overlay panels that can be glued to drawer fronts and painted, it seriously couldn’t be easier. PLUS, they are made to fit different styles of IKEA furniture and there are so many different overlays to choose from.

🌟 use the coupon code MAKEITWITHKATE15 to get 15% off your O’verlays purchase!
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#furnitureflip #ikeahack #ikeamalm #ikeanightstand #diy #buildit #moderntraditional #girlswhobuild #restoredfurniture #fbmarketplace #marketplaceflip
🌟 WEEK 8 🌟 The game room is DONE!! This #one 🌟 WEEK 8 🌟 The game room is DONE!! This #oneroomchallenge was so much fun to participate in. I got quite a bit done in this room! Here’s a recap: .
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1️⃣ mock up and design 
2️⃣ faux brick wall 
3️⃣ built in gaming console 
4️⃣ faux marble countertop
5️⃣ picture frame shelves 
6️⃣ diy neon sign 
7️⃣ diy gaming couch
8️⃣ build a rock wall

And that’s a wrap!! You can find tutorials for all of these components on my blog (link in bio) and video walkthroughs in the highlight bubbles @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge 
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What’s your favorite part?? 
#bhgorc #oneroomchallenge #diybuilds #gameroom #playroom #girlswithpowertools #buildlikeagirl #diybabegang #diyprojects #girlswhodiy #interiordesign #moderncolonial
🌟 WEEK 7 🌟 I built a couch!!! Out of SCRAP W 🌟 WEEK 7 🌟 I built a couch!!! Out of SCRAP WOOD. Fun fact- the back of this couch, swipe to see, is made out of wood that made up built-ins in this room that I ripped out as part of my very first DIY project. That is some awesome repurposing! 
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The tutorial I used is from @homemade_modern 
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Next week is the end of this challenge, it’s been so fun! #oneroomchallenge #repurposed #diybuilds #girlswithpowertools #bhgorc #ryobitools #diyfurniture #girlswhobuild @oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens
🌟 WEEK 6 🌟 I made a neon light sign!! Learni 🌟 WEEK 6 🌟 I made a neon light sign!! Learning new things is one of my favorite parts of DIY. This was a roller coaster of emotions but I’m so thrilled with how it came out!! This challenge is almost over, but I have a few more tricks up my sleeve. (Also this week, the backlit moulding!) #bhgorc #oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge #diyneonsign #ledsign #diyled #diyblogger
🌟 WEEK 5 🌟 I can’t believe we are in the f 🌟 WEEK 5 🌟 I can’t believe we are in the final stretch of the #oneroomchallenge - if I’m being honest, I’m loving the slower pace of taking this room bit by bit instead of doing it as quickly as I can. Have you enjoyed following the slower pace or are you ready for me to move on to the next space already? ▶️ this week, I’ll be making a neon LED sign 🤞- I’m excited for this!! #bhgorc @betterhomesandgardens @oneroomchallenge #gameroommakeover #kidsplayroom #builtins #brickwall #fauxmarble #paintedleather
I like to DIY, and I also love to have fun :) Foll I like to DIY, and I also love to have fun :) Follow my journey as I discover a love of power tools, and turning my builder grade colonial into a home. The real fun is in stories ;) see ya there! #diy #girlswithpowertools #diyblogger #buildlikeagirl
Psst…if you missed it in stories, these leather Psst…if you missed it in stories, these leather chairs are PAINTED! My mind has been truly blown by this. I wish you could feel them through the screen, you would never know! I used the @heirloomtraditionspaint all-in-one paint and they look updated and perfect. #oneroomchallenge @oneroomchallenge @betterhomesandgardens #bhgorc #furnitureflip #leatherchairs #diyblogger
See that sideboard over there? ▶️ swipe to see See that sideboard over there? ▶️ swipe to see what it looked like before! #furnitureflip #diyprojects #furnituremakeover
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