41 DIY Bookshelves to Make in a Weekend

If you’re a book lover who prefers the page to the screen, building a DIY bookshelf to house your collection is a fun weekend project that will allow you to customize the look and feel to suit your storage needs and design style. From freestanding bookcases to built-in shelves, tool-free projects and simple hacks, there’s a project here for all skill levels and budgets, and just about every room in the house. And for those who want to give an existing bookcase a DIY makeover, we’ve got that covered, too.

01 of 41

Diamond-Shaped

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess made a DIY diamond-shaped, wall-mounted bookshelf that houses books interpersed with small décor objects. The finished piece functions as a wall accent as well as storage space for reading materials.

Continue to 2 of 41 below
02 of 41

DIY Mounted Shelving Unit

Almost Makes Perfect

Almost Makes Perfect built DIY shelving units on either side of a small fireplace to maximize space on a large wall that house books, objects, and a small home bar. Using wood shelving and black brackets, the bookcase was designed so that each side was "symmetrical but not identical."

Continue to 3 of 41 below
03 of 41

DIY Bookshelf With TV

Almost Makes Perfect

On the left side of the fireplace, this DIY shelving unit from Almost Makes Perfect makes room for books, records, and a flat-screen TV.

Continue to 4 of 41 below
04 of 41

Leaning Bookshelf

Fish & Bull

Fish & Bull built a light pine wood leaning bookshelf for just $60 total that has a modern, minimalist look and feel for storing books and displaying plants and small objects. The simple design has a light and airy profile that would work with a variety of styles and different rooms.

Continue to 5 of 41 below
05 of 41

Angled Shelf Bookcase

Brepurposed

This DIY knotty pine bookcase with angled shelves from Brepurposed was made for a nursery and modeled after a wine rack spotted on Pinterest. The assymetrical design adds interest to a simple piece of furniture.

Continue to 6 of 41 below
06 of 41

DIY Pine Bookcase

The Merrythought

The Merrythought built a pale wood DIY bookcase with a Scandi-style feel for a kids' room that is used to store books, objects, toys, and more. The pine boards were only minimally sanded to retain a more rustic natural look.

Continue to 7 of 41 below
07 of 41

DIY Rolling Bookshelf

Liz Marie Blog

This rolling DIY bookshelf from Liz Marie Blog was painted gray and finished with wax for a weathered farmhouse look.

Continue to 8 of 41 below
08 of 41

Industrial Pipe Bookshelves

DIY Candy

One of the advantages of building your own wall-mounted bookshelves is that you can design it around the quirks of your home's layout and features. These DIY bookshelves featured on DIY Candy are made from industrial pipe and pine boards, creating a custom look with vintage flair. The bookshelves are built on either side of a high, small window, with a wine rack and a central shelf that help to balance the wall feature. Source affordable industrial pipes online or at a wholesale plumbing supply store.

Continue to 9 of 41 below
09 of 41

DIY Bookshelf Wall

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess constructed this wall of bookshelves to mimic the pitched roof of the living room. The shelving is painted white to match the rest of the room, with a house-like design whose childlike appeal is heightened by arranging a large collection of books by color.

Continue to 10 of 41 below
10 of 41

Wooden Crate Shelving

The Merrythought

The Merrythought created a DIY statement wall of shelving made from unassuming wood crates. The crates are stacked in alternating directions to add dynamism to the design, and are painted in a dark shade of Rust-Oleum Chalked Ultra Matte Paint for a dramatic look.

Continue to 11 of 41 below
11 of 41

Stacked Shelves

Most Lovely Things

If you're not a DIYer but want to create the look of a DIY wall-mounted bookshelf for less, stack a few simple wall mounted shelves on top of one another on a narrow wall, like this NYC apartment desk corner from Most Lovely Things.

Continue to 12 of 41 below
12 of 41

DIY Plywood Bookshelf

The Merrythought

This modern DIY bookcase from The Merrythought is made from simple plywood finished with clear polyurethane. The pale wood bookcase stands out against dark walls in a kids' room and complements a DIY desk on an adjacent wall.

Continue to 13 of 41 below
13 of 41

DIY Old Window Bookshelves

Liz Marie Blog

Liz Marie Blog built this DIY bookcase from upcycled antique window frames. Placing simple chicken wire to fill the space where the glass used to be, and adding shelves and painted white legs gives the piece a homemade, modern farmhouse feel.

Continue to 14 of 41 below
14 of 41

Painted Niche Bookshelves

Thistlewood Farms

If your home has an empty wall niche that you don't know what to do with, add built-in shelving for an instant wall bookcase. Or if someone beat you to it and you want to add some interest to the niche, paint the back in a bold contrasting color that will give it depth and allow objects to stand out. These bookshelves from Thistlewood Farms are styled with a collection of white milk glass for a high-contrast look.

Continue to 15 of 41 below
15 of 41

DIY Makeover

A Blissful Nest

A Blissful Nest gave an old bookcase a DIY makeover with chalk paint that made it look brand new. Styled with books, seashells, and cobalt blue glassware gives it a coastal feel.

Continue to 16 of 41 below
16 of 41

DIY Corner Bookshelf

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess built an adjustable corner wall-mounted bookshelf using popular wood boards and white shelving standards that fills the space and can be modified as needs grow and change. The shelving provides space to house books and turns an awkward, unused corner into a feature.

Continue to 17 of 41 below
17 of 41

DIY Spool Bookcase

Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms built a DIY spool bookcase that looks perfectly at home in the modern farmhouse entryway, styled with old books and rustic objects.

Continue to 18 of 41 below
18 of 41

Virtual Bookcase

Most Lovely Things

Most Lovely Things added a group of shelving above the dining room table in a NYC apartment that creates the air of a wall-mounted bookshelf and houses everything from books to plants to dishware and silverware.

Continue to 19 of 41 below
19 of 41

Lighted Bookcase Wall

My 100 Year Old Home

My 100 Year Old Home installed battery operated-remote control lights at the tops of the bookshelves in this attic bedroom that add dimension and provide ambient light in the evenings at an affordable price point.

Continue to 20 of 41 below
20 of 41

Rotating Corner Bookshelf

Anika's DIY Life

Anika's DIY Life built a DIY rotating corner bookshelf for the corner of this kids' room to accommodate a growing collection of books without dominating the space with a large bookcase.

Continue to 21 of 41 below
21 of 41

DIY Kids' Bookshelves

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess installed a full wall of DIY bookshelves in a shared kids' room. The shelves are painted with trim paint for durability in the same color as the wall for a built-in look, and hung low enough so that kids can access them without assistance.

Continue to 22 of 41 below
22 of 41

Floating Bookshelves

The Merrythought

The Merrythought built DIY space-saving, wall-mounted shelves to add book storage to a small reading corner that is practical but has a light touch.

Continue to 23 of 41 below
23 of 41

Tile-Backed Bookcase

Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms gave an existing bookcase an easy DIY makeover by using leftover tile to decorate the back.

Continue to 24 of 41 below
24 of 41

Trellis Back Bookcase

Anika's DIY Life

Anika's DIY Life built a DIY garden-inspired trellis-back bookshelf with a light and airy look, and painted it in a soothing shade of blue.

Continue to 25 of 41 below
25 of 41

Rustic Shelving

Funky Junk Interiors

Used here for tool storage in a home workshop, these rustic DIY wood shelves from Funky Junk Interiors could also work as bookshelves in an industrial-style loft.

Continue to 26 of 41 below
26 of 41

Wood Shim Bookcase

Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms gave a plain bookcase a facelift with an inexpensive package of wood shims, sawed in half and affixed to the back for a rustic, textured farmhouse look.

Continue to 27 of 41 below
27 of 41

Reclaimed Wood Bookcase

Lobster and Swan

Lobster and Swan used reclaimed wood throughout this hand built English country cottage kitchen, from the hood vent to the cabinetry and open shelving, and a rustic bookcase under the window that houses cookbooks.

Continue to 28 of 41 below
28 of 41

Faux Built-Ins

Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms turned a pair of bookcases on opposite walls into built-ins by building a frame that extends to the ceiling, adding crown molding, and painting it all in a fresh coat of modern farmhouse white.

Continue to 29 of 41 below
29 of 41

DIY Bookshelf Media Wall

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess built a wall of DIY bookshelves on the far wall of this living room, leaving space for a flat screen TV. The wall and shelving are painted in the same matte black as the wall behind the couch, allowing the colors of the books to create an accent, and the TV screen to partially disappear against the dark background.

Continue to 30 of 41 below
30 of 41

Home Cloffice Built-Ins

Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona transformed a closet into a small home cloffice with built-in bookshelves painted dark blue for a custom look.

Continue to 31 of 41 below
31 of 41

Upcycled Painted Bookcase

Thistlewood Farms

If you scored a charming secondhand bookcase on your weekend trip to the flea market, thrift store, or a local yard sale, put your own stamp on it by painting it in a fresh color like this light blue bookshelf from Thistlewood Farms.

Continue to 32 of 41 below
32 of 41

Midcentury Modern Shelving

Hammer & a Headband

Hammer & a Headband built midcentury modern-inspired DIY wood and metal bookshelves that bring on the vintage vibes at a lower price point than original models. A George Nelson-inspired clock amps up the midcentury modern feel.

Continue to 33 of 41 below
33 of 41

DIY Wood Wallpaper Makeover

Thistlewood Farms

Styled here with a collection of milk glass, these bookshelves from Thistlewood Farms are covered with wood-effect wallpaper for a faux rustic spin that works well in a modern farmhouse-style room.

Continue to 34 of 41 below
34 of 41

Reclaimed Wood Bookshelf

Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona

This reclaimed wood bookshelf featured by Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona adds a big dose of rustic style to against white walls and can be used for anything from books to extra kitchen storage.

Continue to 35 of 41 below
35 of 41

Barn Wood Bookcase

Anita's DIY Life

This weathered barn wood effect bookcase from Anita's DIY Life is actually a doctored oak laminate piece that was transformed with chalk paint, wood paste wax, and peel-and-stick wood tile in a weathered barn wood pattern.

Continue to 36 of 41 below
36 of 41

Add Crown Molding

Thistlewood Farms

Not every DIY has to be a surgical intervention. Thistlewood Farms gave a plain white bookcase an upgrade by adding an extra panel of pine wood and crown molding then painting it all over again to create a polished look.

Continue to 37 of 41 below
37 of 41

Modern DIY Standing Bookshelf

Anika's DIY Life

Anika's DIY Life built this modern book and display shelf in just five easy steps. The dark stain brings out the rustic grain of the wood.

Continue to 38 of 41 below
38 of 41

DIY Baby Bookshelves

A Beautiful Mess

A Beautiful Mess added painted wood display shelves to the wall of a nursery for children's books that can be swapped out as seasons change or new books come in. The same system could be used to display photos or photography and art books in an adult space.

Continue to 39 of 41 below
39 of 41

Integrated Book Storage

Thistlewood Farms

Thistlewood Farms added book storage to a DIY pallet wood desk that is complemented with a wall-mounted shelving unit to store a small selection of books.

50 Wood Pallet Furniture Ideas to Build on a Budget

Continue to 40 of 41 below
40 of 41

Floating Cookbook Shelves

Design by Living with Lolo / Photo by Life Created

This built-in desk and mini cookbook library from Living with Lolo is a fun feature for those who enjoy having a dedicated place to display and browse favorite cookbooks and plan meals. You can give an existing nook or built-in desk in a spacious kitchen a makeover with removable wallpaper and floating shelves, or cobble together a freestanding version by hanging some floating shelves on the wall above a console table.

Continue to 41 of 41 below
41 of 41

Wood Pallet Book Shelves

KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

Wood pallets turned on their side and securely affixed to the wall create a simple DIY bookshelf or a plant shelf (or both).

FAQ

Is it cheaper to buy a bookshelf or build one?

It depends. There are a lot of abandoned bookshelves and bookcases in the world, and you can source inexpensive (or even free) pieces at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces. You can save money building a bookshelf yourself from affordable or reclaimed materials, and hiring someone to build one for you will include additional labor costs. Or you can buy new at any price point, keeping in mind that you will pay more for quality materials and craftsmanship than you would at a big box store.
How do you make a really simple bookshelf?

To build a simple bookcase, you'll need a few saws, a variety of boards, shelf boards and pegs, particle board for the back, brackets, screws, and melamine edging tape. Follow our tutorial on how to make a simple bookshelf to learn more.
How much does it cost to build a custom bookshelf?

The cost of building a custom bookshelf depends on whether you are looking to build a small freestanding bookcase or a wall of built-in shelving; whether you are building it yourself or hiring a professional; as well as which materials you use (such as type of wood and hardware) and any extra features added such as trim or doors. According to Angi, the cost of constructing a built-in bookshelf ranges from $1,399 to $4,747, with an average cost of $2,954, with size being the largest variable in determining cost.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.