Bookcase retrofit to create a garage library

[Dave-1]

Final look

I wanted to reuse ex office bookcases and fit out a Library in my garage.

I have collected 10 of bookcases over a few months. They are particle board with laminate over them.

The bookcases are part of a retrofit of my whole garage area. I will post that sometime also.

Materials

20 of Sandpaper sheets mostly fine grain

4L of Dulux Wash and Wear coloured black

4L of British paint White (leftover paint)

Large paint rollers

Small paint Rollers

Cut in brush

8 of 50mm Angle brackets

2 of 1L Laminate paint

2 of 285mm * 19mm * 2400mm Dressed Pine (ripped it to form 8mm * 19mm strips)

1L Cabots Danish Oil

2 of 2.4m lengths of Siniat 92*2400mm Steel stud wall (cut to lengths)

1 box 15mm bullet head nails

Tools

Drop saw

Hammer

Paint rollers/Paint trays

Electric Sander

G Clamps

Tape Measure

Painting tape

Sandpaper Punch plate for making sandpaper squares

Stanley Knife

Steps

Step 1

I stockpiled the bookcases over time as they were being thrown out. I had to sand the laminate before I applied the laminate paint. This is when I found out that the metal plate that came with my Makita Sander actually had a purpose. Previously the sandpaper would "walk" out of the sander. The metal punch plate allows the air and dust to escape and it stays on.

Step 2

Once the bookcases had been sanded I could apply the laminate paint. The back of the bookcase did not need the laminate paint so I just used some leftover white paint as the undercoat. Note to Self do not stack the bookcases like dominos as they will fall if not secured. The mess actually came up with some metho I think.

Step 3

Once I had applied a few coats of the black paint I could start to lay out how I wanted the bookcases to stand. The Garage floor slopes from the back (high side) to the front. I considered buulding a plinth to create a level base but figured it was a lot of resources and time. In the end I notched some H3 timber leftover stud wall timber to for blocks to support the leggs of the bookcases from the floor. I also had water enter the garage and as the bookcases are particle board I wanted to keep them dry. You can see how far the floor slopes in the last photo.

 

Once I had the bookcases level I attached the tops to the studs in the wall behind them to stop that "Domino" effect happening again...Also Just in case someone pulled themselves up and they toppled. 

Step 4

The Old bookcases had a rubber front edge to them that I removed as it dated the bookcases serverly. Once the bookcases were all level and fastened I wante dto "face" the bookcase edges to make them defined. The price I worked out buying precut timber was going to be at least $570.00 I thought of ripping a larger piece down but wasnt confident. I was lucky to have a mate at work who is a capenter and he ripped down the two larger pieces I bought. Then I oiled the strips before fitting them to the front surfaces. I pre drilled the holes in the face timber but didnt predrill the shelves as they are particle board and thought a nail would go in with no worries.

Step 5

Next Step was to "Blur the eyes" into making a bookcase on the door and at the end of the back to back bookcase. I costed some book style wall mounted rails but they would have worked out at a couple of hundred dollars. So outside the square thinking and I decided to try using metal wall studs and facing them in the same style as the bookcases.  Things to be aware of are the screws to hold the bracket to the door/wall and trying to screw them in. the angle can be a problem. Also short enough screws so they do not poke out of the faceing

I have used the Ikea bookcase lighting system that ties multiple lights to one wirless style button. I also wired the two way switching for the ceiling lights (Ikea models) There is a LED strip light on the back side of the bespoke cornice I made for the purpose. (Another project to post)

Step 6

The final steps for the bookcases were fixing a kick plate to the base of the bookcases to cover the stands for the feet. Also to stop random things rolling under the bookcases. I found the carpet tiles second hand for $0.50ea I wanted carpet tiles as a cover as I potential had water coming in and also the floor is a little uneven/sloping. I did not use any paint/paste to seal the floor beforehand. They have stayed dry for the past 2 years without any issue.

The Project took aproximatly 10 months (there were other parts being done during this time as well) The Slope of the floor was around 8cm over 5.5m. 

The carpet tiles were so easy to lay, they still had a little sticky stuff on their backs so they gripped the bare concrete well. I did not carpet under the shelves as I was concerned if the floor got wet then it would be a problem pulling out the tiles.

[KatieC]

Fantastic project @Dave-1!

I am loving the mood of your library, it is hard to imagine it as an empty garage. I really like how you used dressed pine to cover the bookcase joins to make it look like one seamless piece. I had a little laugh at the spilled paint and domino effect, only because I have also been there. A messy workspace is a sign of creative genius though, right? 

I look forward to seeing the remainder of your garage transform. 

Katie

[Dave-1]

Thank you @KatieC 

Hahahah to the messy workspace... I rem being tired when it happened and not listening to that guy that sits on your shoulder thats says "not to"... It really cleaned up well so I was happy with that.

I do have all the photos of the complete reno of the garage. Will post over the next few days/weeks. The books being sorted is the only outstanding part That I will probarly be sorting this weekend.

Dave

[EricL]

Hi @Dave-1 

Your library transformation looks fantastic, the black book cabinets fit in so well and give the room so much personality. The lights you've chosen make this room so cosy. It's the perfect place to lean back, relax and enjoy a good book.

Thank you for sharing such an inspirational project.

Eric