Library wall to wall bookcases – Bookcase Plans

Today I’m sharing detailed bookcase plans for my wall to wall bookcases.  These plans utilize straight top rails instead of arches in the faceframes.  If you want to do arches, simply follow my tutorial to create uniform arches for the top rail when you get to the faceframe.

These plans utilized the most basic and simplest cabinet building techniques.  You can modify this plan to utilize other building methods if you have the tools to implement them.  Check out my Cabinet Building 101 eBook for all my cabinet building tips, techniques and instructions for different building methods.  Links in this post may be affiliate links.

How to build wall to wall bookcases

Materials:

• 3/4″ plywood or MDF
• 1/4″ beadboard or plywood for backs
• material for faceframes (3/4″ hardwood)

I built my bookcases out of MDF because, at that time, MDF was much less expensive than plywood.  However, lumber prices vary and fluctuate so make sure to price out your materials.  Look at my post on selecting the right material for your project for help deciding.

These bookcases are 8′ tall and 14″ deep.  The shelves are cut at 28 1/2″ wide.  When installed inside 3/4″ thick material, each case is a total of 30″ wide.

The cutlist below is for four bookcases.  The 6″ piece left over can be cut down and used for cleats.

Bookcase Plans

 Step 1:  Mark and Drill

Mark location for fixed shelves and drill shelf pin holes for adjustable shelves.

It’s definitely easier to drill your shelf pin holes before you assemble your cabinet.  I create a custom template out of inexpensive pegboard.  This ensures that my shelf pins are even and perfectly spaced and located.  Follow my tutorial for drilling holes and using a stop block.

These bookshelves are too tall to have adjustable shelves span the entire case.  For stability, I’ve installed a fixed shelf near the top and in the bottom 1/3.

Step 2:  Install fixed shelves to one side

Use wood glue and 1 3/4″ wood screws to assemble the fixed shelves to side 1.  Use right angle clamps to make sure your shelves are square to the side.

Step 3:  Attach second side

Attach side 2 with wood glue and screws as well.

Step 4: Install cleats

Cleats are necessary for securing the cabinet to the wall (into studs) during installation for built-ins.  Use pocket holes to secure the cleat at the back of the cabinet.  For tall cabinets like this, sometimes I put a cleat at the top and under a fixed shelf near the bottom.

*The cleats should be made out of the same material as the rest of the cabinets so they are not noticeable once the cabinet is painted or stained.

 Step 5:  Attach back

Square up your bookcase and then attach your backing material.  This can be secured with 1″ or longer staples or wood screws.

Step 6: Build Cabinet Base

Depending on the height of your baseboard, you will need to adjust the height of your cabinet base so your baseboard doesn’t cover your bottom faceframe once installed.

My baseboards are 5 1/2″ tall so I built my cabinet base out of 2×6 (which are 5 1/2″ tall) and topped it with 3/4″ material.

 Step 7: Configure and Install Bookcases

Configure your bookcases depending on the space you have to fill and the look you want to create.  Butt the bookcases up together or leave some space in between each.  Your custom configuration will require you to modify your faceframe.

*Secure your bookcases to the wall studs through the cleats you installed at the back of the bookcases.  Use shims under or behind the bookcases to ensure each bookcase is level and plumb before securing it to the wall.

I left 1 1/2″ in between each bookcase.  I put scraps of 2×4 in between to maintain even spacing.  This allowed me to use a wider faceframe for a chunkier look (which I like).

Step 8: Install Faceframe

Because the built-ins are so large, it would be super difficult to impossible to build and attach a one piece faceframe.  The faceframe will be installed in pieces using wood glue and brad nails.  The drawings below show 1×2 faceframe material.

Stiles

Start with the vertical pieces (stiles).  A 1×2 should completely cover the 3/4″ sides of the adjoining bookcases leaving no overlap — so the faceframe is flush with the bookcase sides.  To maintain uniformity, make sure to install the outside stiles flush with the bookcase side.  This will mean the outside faceframe sticks out beyond the outside bookcase by 3/4″.

The faceframe stiles should extend beyond the bottom of the bookcases by 3/4″  so it will be flush with the bottom rail once installed.

If you left space between each bookcase, you’ll have to use a wider faceframe stile.

Rails

Install faceframe horizontal pieces (rails) with wood glue and brad nails as well. The rails should be flush with the top of each fixed shelf.

If wanting arched bookcases, simply cut arches into your top rail and install with pocket screws.

Step 9:  Install baseboard

Make sure to leave a portion of your bottom stile exposed.  This is why the height of your cabinet base is important.  Install with brad nails.

Step 10:  Install Crown Moulding

Depending on how much faceframe rail you leave exposed, you may need to add some scrap wood blocks behind your crown moulding to give you something into which you can nail the crown.

Check out my post on Crown Moulding Templates for easy as pie crown moulding installation!

*Install adjustable shelves.  I put my shelves in place and then glued and nailed a faceframe rail onto each shelf, leaving enough space on the sides of each rail to allow the shelves to be removed and relocated.

Paint or stain and enjoy.

Did you like these bookcase plans?  You might also like these posts:

• How to get smooth edges when painting MDF
• Graco 390 paint sprayer
• HomeRight Command Pro paint sprayer
• DeWalt 18 ga nail gun review

 

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