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Home library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases

DannoAbbott
Cultivating a Following
DannoAbbott
DannoAbbott
Cultivating a Following

Custom-made built-in bookcases give this tranquil home library a classic look.

 

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The project

 

My wife asked me to build her a private library room for her 40th birthday. I think I nailed the brief. 

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I don’t use fancy computer systems to draw up anything I build. I find it easy to just draw it with a pencil on paper. 


I always work out a cut list to work from to purchase the correct amount of materials and minimise wastage.

 

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I used a Ryobi table saw purchased from Bunnings a few years ago to cut the 2400mm x 1200mm x 18mm sheets of plywood. It was a bit tricky to manoeuvre the sheets on it, but it did the job.

 

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I also purchased a Ryobi slide mitre saw so that it could cut the full depth of the shelves. It is easier to cut them on the mitre saw than trying to do it on the table saw. 


The carcasses of the shelves were built first and the V-grooved back sheets were pre-cut square so I could use them to square up the carcasses when fixing them on.

 

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I put in a 50mm x 18mm rail at the top to use for fixing them to the wall when installing. I drilled straight through the rail and into the brick with a masonry drill bit and knocked in the wall plug.

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Once all the units were screwed in I used Design Pine on the front edges to cover the cut plywood. It was easy to PVA glue and nail it on once cut to size. 

 

The skirting is Colonial 130mm pre-primed MDF. The crown mould (cornice) is Colonial Pine.

 

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All the cupboards were primed with simple water-based Dulux wood primer and finished with Dulux Licorice Green. They were painted once installed. 

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I purchased a Ryobi thicknesser from Bunnings to machine down the slabs of Blackbutt that I used on the benchtop and window sill. 

 

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To minimise machining time the slabs were cut to approximate size beforehand. I used rub-on polyurethane to seal the timber. 

 

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Doors for the one of the units are yet to be ordered, as are as some picture lights and a library ladder. 

 

Before and after

 

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How to build a bookcase

 

It's easy to build a simple bookcase. See how in our step-by-step video guide.

 

 

More project inspiration

 

Bunnings Workshop member Cardaw used five Montgomery bookcases to make this huge built-in bookcase unit.

 

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Bunnings Workshop member Benskimo custom-made this brilliant mid-century modern shelving unit to fit a tricky space.

 

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Workshop member Wooshka made these clever floating Acacia shelves on a Jarrah beam.

 

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There are also plenty of great ideas in our Top 10 most popular indoor furniture projects and Top 10 most popular storage projects.

 

Let us know if you need a hand with your project – we're here to help.

 

Comments
Remarka6le
Amassing an Audience

Fantastic library @DannoAbbott , just taking a moment to admire your lounge set, they're awesome! Have you managed to install your television yet?

 

 

DannoAbbott
Cultivating a Following

The library has had a few things connected since being built. 
Picture lights installed, one for each bookcase section. 
Samsung Art TV installed 

 

Still to come- 

Doors on cabinet below the TV. 
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jass13
Finding My Feet

Danno you have done a great job 

Dave-1
Community Megastar

@DannoAbbott 

You know when you have done a good job and dont think anyone can do it better... Well You have done it better then my book case retrofit! :smile: Serioulsy nice work, solid and wont be bending at all. How long has it been since you completed it and how is it standing up to time? Any chance of a picture of the bench tops? I went looking but can only see the edge of the one for the tv /area/wall.

Good envy of the job!

 

Dave

Dave-1
Community Megastar

@DannoAbbott 

Just saw the extra pics :smile: Man it looks good and love those bench tops!

 

Dave

EricL
Bunnings Team Member
Bunnings Team Member

That is a beautiful library @DannoAbbott, I'm definitely adding this project to my bookmarks.   

 

Eric

 

Tyro
Becoming a Leader

This looks like a dream come true @DannoAbbott !  Beautiful workmanship with a very tasteful finish!  Hope you've been able to enjoy many hours of reading in your perfect 'quiet space'!

(I only wish I had the space and skill to have my own library room!)

Cheers 🤗

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