10 Cost-Effective Ways to Make Your Own Bookshelves

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One of the many benefits of DIY is saving money on items that would otherwise cost a pretty penny. One such item is shelving. If you’re an avid book lover, then learning how to make your own bookshelves is a skill that can shave serious dollars off the cost of settling in to a new place. Here are ten money-saving ways to do just that. (See also: How to Downsize and Declutter)

1. Boards and Blocks

This one’s about as basic as it gets, but it’ll get the job done. It doesn’t require any carpentry skills if you get the boards pre-cut at the hardware store, and the resulting bookshelves can be disassembled and relocated to anywhere in your home you need them to be. This particular version of bookshelves is great for small spaces such as empty closets. Simply alternate boards with concrete cinder blocks placed at each end. It’s worth noting that you can only go so high with this, or your bookshelves will be too tippy. Still, it’s an easy and cheap storage solution for your books.

2. Metro Shelving Kits

I’ve always been a fan of industrial shelving, and the metro units available at the box stores such as Lowes are just as appropriate for making your own bookshelves as they are for designing a loft style kitchen. What is particularly helpful about using these assembly kits is that they can be purchased with extra add-on shelves, and therefore easily customized. They can also be attached directly to wall studs for added stability.

3. Milk Crates

Store-bought versions of traditional retail milk crates are affordably available during seasonal dorm deals. Stacking them in rows makes for an easy, customized look for children’s rooms. You can even mix and match colors to create patterns. The point is, if you want to make your own bookshelves, this is one of the simplest solutions at your disposal. It’s also the easiest to transport back and forth from college. Simply keep the items inside and transport with the open end up. Easy peasy.

4. Repurposed Antique Doors

If you have wood shop tools at your disposal and enjoy repurposing salvage finds into new items, then this door repurposing project should catch your interest. Leaving on the antique hardware is a fun touch, and the height of the finished bookshelves makes them perfect for older homes with high ceilings.

5. Rafter Bookcases

One basic way to save money in every room is to build a house with less square footage in the first place. Once you’ve made that commitment, however, storage space will be at an absolute premium. These clever bookshelves are made by attaching boards to the bottom of exposed ceiling rafters, which provide natural separation between sections of books and keep your reading inventory out of your way.

6. Rain Gutter Bookshelves

I have to say, these rain gutter bookshelves look remarkably stylish in the photographs and keep literature storage completely accessible for little hands. They can be used to decorate children’s rooms, spruce up a classroom reading corner, or even organize a homeschooling space.

7. Pallet Bookshelves

If you’re capable when it comes to wood and love simple DIY projects you can complete in a day or weekend, then these bookshelves made from pallets are a great place to begin creating literary storage. The recycling of the wood keeps this project green as well as affordable.

8. Hidden Room Shelves

If you want to reduce decorating costs and still have a finished-looking product, this hidden door bookcase is worth your consideration. It’s designed to hide extra closets in a way that’s attractive and functional, and it provides an extra layer of security for those who aren’t in a financial position to dish out for a formal in-home safe.

9. Under-Stair Shelves

When you’re trying to stretch out a small space, it’s important to use every available storage option at your disposal. One of the most often overlooked expansion areas is underneath the stairs. These directions for built-in stairway bookshelves show craft-capable individuals how to make the most of it.

10. Wine-Rack-Inspired Bookshelves

I love those diagonal, x-shaped wine storage racks they use at Italian restaurants. It’s often struck me that they would make a fun storage option as a wall unit at home. Apparently, I’m not alone, because I’ve seen similar shelving used on the apartment sets of several television series over the years. They are a great way to maximize space in studio apartments, and they look great when painted to match the background wall in an accent color.

Clearly, if you want to make your own bookshelves, there are more options at your disposal than a simple set made from particle board.

Do you have any creative bookshelf ideas you’d like to share? Feel free to post a link to your completed project below.