How to Make Children’s Book Shelves for a Book Nook

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Oh my goodness, I’m so in love with our new book nook in our homeschool room! This empty little space went from being super awkward, to warm and inviting. But books do that don’t they? Instantly add a level of cozy to any spot. And friends, these children’s bookshelves were so easy to make! I’ll share the simple instructions below!

Kids are so visual I wanted to make these children’s bookshelves partly for decor and to soften that wall and corner, and also to make it very easy for the kids to have eyes on their favorite books. I plan to rotate them out each season, keeping this area fresh and relevant.

What the spot looked like before:

Such a difference right? Okay let’s get to it!

Making the shelves:

These shelves are super easy to assemble! Just cut to the correct length, glue and clamp, and then nail together.

We will be using the 1×6 as the back, the 1×4 as the bottom, and the 1×3 as the front.

Decide where you want your shelving and then what length will work best visually and book storage wise. Using the chop saw, cut all boards to the desired length of the shelves.

Using glue and wood clamps attach the boards together. We went with laying the backboard down, then placing glue on the bottom edge, securing the bottom board over that, adding glue to the other edge, and applying the front board. Clamp together and wipe away excess glue quickly.

While glue is still wet use your air nailer to secure the boards, ensuring a good fit.

We decided to make these corner shelves. If you also want to do that, you will need to cut the matching ends at a 90-degree angle, or the angle of the wall you’ll be placing it on.

How to secure to the wall:

To secure these shelves to walls, you’ll need a stud finder.

After you find the studs, mark your shelves and drill pre-drill holes with a drill bit. Then, using a level, secure them to the wall. Placing the shelves into a wall stud ensures the best holding power.

If you have to, you can use studless wall mounts, but be cautious with how much weight you place on those.

And that’s it!

What you’ll need:

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Another fun addition to our schoolroom recently was our painting easel! Find out how to make that easy DIY!

Print Recipe

Kids Book Shelves

Visible shelving for children that serves as both a great way to display book and also looks visually appealing.

Prep Time1 hour hr

Cook Time3 hours hrs

Additional Time1 hour hr

Total Time5 hours hrs

Course: DIY

Keyword: book shelves, kids book shelves

Servings: 2 to 4 shelves

Author: Eryn Whalen

Equipment

• Air nailer
• Clamps
• Wood glue
• Hand Saw
• Chop Saw

Ingredients

• 1 – 1 IN. X 6 IN. X 10 FT. common board
• 1 -1 IN. X 6 IN. X 8 FT. common board
• 2 – 1 IN. X 4 IN. X 10 FT. common board
• 3 – 1 IN. X 3 IN. X 8 FT. common boards

Instructions

Making the shelves:

• These shelves are super easy to assemble! Just cut to the correct length, glue and clamp, and then nail together.
• Decide where you want your shelving and then what length will work best visually and book storage wise. Using the chop saw, cut all boards to the desired length of the shelfs.
• We will be using the 1×6 as the back, the 1×4 as the bottom, and the 1×3 as the front.
• Using glue and wood clamps attatch the boards together. We went with laying the back board down, then placing glue on the bottom edge, securing the bottom board over that, adding glue to the other edge, and applying the front board. Clamp together and whipe away excess glue quickly.
• While glue is still wet use your air nailer to secure the boards, ensuring a good fit.
• We dicided to make these corner shelves. If you also want to do that, you will need to cut the matching ends at a 90 degree angle, or the angle of the wall you’ll be placing it on.

How to secure to wall:

• To secure these shelves to walls, you’ll need a stud finder.
• After you find the studs, mark your shelves and drill pre-drill holes with a drill bit. Then, using a level, secure them to the wall. Placing the shelves into a wall stud insures the best holding power.
• If you have to, you can use studless wall mounts, but be caution with how much weight you palce on those.
• And that’s it!

Share away friends!