FreeFree account Bookshelf plan
Built In Bookshelf Plans
A floor-to-ceiling bookcase with closed cabinets at the bottom and open shelves above, the classic built-in look. Set the width, height and the height of the cabinet base; build several side by side to fill a wall. The same plan builds built-in shelves for an alcove, a home office or either side of a fireplace.
- Default size
- 800 × 2200 × 350 mm
- Parts
- 14 pieces · 9 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 2 carcass + 1 door + 1 back
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Build time
- About 10 hours
- Edge band
- 15.6 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Side | 2 | 2200 | 350 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Top | 1 | 764 | 350 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Bottom | 1 | 764 | 350 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
6 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- Build the bookcase 20–30 mm lower than the ceiling so it can be tilted upright, then cover the gap with a scribed filler or crown.
- The counter shelf is fixed; it closes the cabinet base and makes a display surface.
- The doors stop 3 mm under the counter shelf, so its front edge stays visible as a counter.
- Screw every unit to the wall studs through the back.
Common mistakes
- Building it to the exact ceiling height: it will not stand up.
- Making one wide unit instead of several narrow ones: shelves sag and the unit is hard to carry.
Tools you need
- Track saw or table saw
- Drill/driver
- 35 mm hinge bit
- Shelf-pin jig
- Stud finder
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a built-in bookcase be?
About 300–350 mm for books; 400–450 mm if the base cabinets must hold files or games.
How do I fill a whole wall?
Build several units of 600–900 mm side by side and screw them together, with fillers at the walls.
How far apart should the shelves be?
About 280 mm (11 in) of clear space fits most books. The shelves sit on pins, so you can move them when your collection changes.
How wide can one unit be?
Up to about 800 mm, so the shelves do not sag under books. For a wider wall, build two or more units and screw them together.
Related guides
Dado and Rabbet JointsWhat dado and rabbet joints are, how they differ, how deep to cut them in plywood, and how to cut them with a table saw, a router or a circular saw.How to Build a BookshelfHow to build a bookshelf from one sheet of plywood or MDF: pick the size, cut the parts, drill for shelf pins, join the case, fit the back and stop shelves sagging.How to Drill Shelf Pin HolesHow to drill shelf pin holes that line up: 5 mm or 1/4 in shelf pins, rows 37 mm from the edges on the 32 mm system, a shelf pin jig, the right depth and spacing.
