Built-in Corner Bookshelves

 Yesterday I showed you the built-in bookshelves around our window that we installed.  Today I wanted to show how we built-in corner bookshelves on the other side of the living room.  Here is a sketch of the initial thought Cassity had for the built-in corner bookshelves.  I love how she draws on top of a photo for quick idea of how it could look in the space.

 Here is the plan with all the dimensions that we built our corner bookshelves with.

Notes

• You can take this tutorial and modify it to the size that you want. Just make all the adjustments according to your spaces needs.  I would limit the width to 3′ on either side of the “L”.
• This bookshelf goes floor to ceiling.  The space from the top to the bookshelf opening, was reserved for crown molding.  The space from the floor to the bottom shelf was reserved for the base molding.  We personally like tall base moldings and crown.  If you plan on using base moldings or crown, add up the height of the molding, plus the face frame width, for your final face frame height.

Materials Used

• (2) MDF Sheets – 4’ x 8’ x 5/8”
• (Approximate 200+) Brad Nails 1”

Tools Used

• Table Saw (optional)
• Circular Saw
• Miter Saw
• Nail Gun
• Air Compressor
• Sanding Block
• Tape Measure
• Framing Square
• Pencil
• Sander Block
• Level

Cut Sheet (length x width x thickness)

• (2) Sides – 96” x 11 3/8” x 5/8′”
• (10) Side Shelf Brackets – 10 3/4” x 1” x 5/8”
• (5) Back Shelf Brackets (short side) – 35 3/8” x 1” x 5/8”
• (5) Back Shelf Brackets (long side) – 45 3/4” x 1” x 5/8”
• (1) Top Shelf Support – see diagram below

• (1) Bottom Shelf – see diagram above
• (3) Middle Shelves – see diagram above
• (2) Top & Bottom Face Frames (short side)– 24 5/8” x 9” x 5/8”
• (2) Top & Bottom Face Frames (long side) – 36” x 9” x 5/8”
• (2) Side Face Frames – 78” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”
• (3) Shelf Face frames (short side) – 22 1/8” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”
• (3) Shelf Face frames (long side) – 33 1/2” x 2 1/2” x 5/8”

Construction Steps

Note To calculate the dimension of “A”

Add the height of the base molding + the width of the face frame. For our bookshelf we needed to add 6 1/2” (base molding) + 2 1/2” (face frame) = 9”.

Note To calculate the dimension of “B”

Measure the opening height from the top of bottom shelf to top of the shelf support (78”). Add up the total face frame widths of the number of shelves within the main opening (3 x 2 1/2”= 7 1/2”.  Subtract that number from the total opening of 78”.  78” – 7 1/2” = 70 1/2” Divide that number by the number of shelf openings (4). 70 1/2” / 4 = 17 5/8”.  Take 17 5/8” and subtract out the thickness of the one of the shelves of 5/8”.   17 5/8” – 5/8” = 17”.  The dimension of B is 17”

This image shows how I butt up all the face frame corners.  This way you don’t have to miter any corners.  Because we painted it I wasn’t really concerned.  If you wanted you could miter them, you would just need to adjust the dimensions.

There you have it, built-in corner bookshelves plans just for you.  Now it’s your turn to build.  Let us know how it turned out.  Don’t forget these other project plans and the other built-in bookshelves that we made plans for.

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