Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
EASY STEPS TO YOUR LUXE LIBRARY
Take your basic flatpack bookcases to the next level by transforming them into a built-in library.
Gather your supplies
• Same-size bookcases
• 2400 x 1200 x 16mm MDF
• 92 x 18mm primed pine
• 66 x 18mm primed pine
• 31 x 11mm primed pine
• 2400 x 1200 x 9mm MDF
You’ll also need Clamps; drill; 28mm wood screws; circular saw; construction adhesive; caulking gun; nail gun and 50mm nails; scrap timber; pencil; jigsaw; sandpaper and sanding block; undercoat; painting gear; painter’s tape; wood filler; acrylic gap filler; white paint
Here’s how
STEP 1 Clamp bookcases together and join using 28mm screws.
STEP 2 For bookcases on either side of doorway, use a circular saw to cut a panel out of 16mm MDF to fit width of each bookcase. Make the top of this panel level with the top of the doorway opening (or architraves). Clamp to side of bookcase that will face opening and join together with 28mm screws.
STEP 3 Position bookcases on either side of opening (butting into architraves if present). Build a box out of 16mm MDF to fit between the bookcases, position box on top of the panels on bookcase sides and screw into the bookcases.
STEP 4 To create skirting, measure distance from bottom shelf of bookcases to the floor at several points along your library. Mark this on 92 x 18mm pine that has been cut to length, and cut off excess using circular saw.
STEP 5 Spread adhesive on bookcases where skirting will sit. Hold skirting against it so top edges are flush with bottom shelves. Nail in place using nail gun.
STEP 6 For coverstrips, measure and cut 66 x 18mm pine to fit on bookcases vertically and cover joins and side edges. Make top of coverstrips 17mm from the underside of top of bookcases to allow for top moulding. Glue and nail to bookcases to sit centrally over joins and flush with outside edge of the outside bookcases. They’ll overhang bookcase interiors.
STEP 7 To create shelf mouldings, measure and cut 31 x 11mm pine to fit between coverstrips. Glue and nail to front edges of shelves so top edge of moulding is flush with shelf tops.
STEP 8 Cut top moulding from 92 x 18mm pine, then glue and nail along top edge of bookcases, sitting it on top of coverstrips.
STEP 9 For arched inserts, measure between coverstrips and deduct 60mm to get arch diameter. Cut a piece of 9mm MDF 90mm wider and longer than arch diameter and find centre. Screw scrap timber to MDF centre. Distance from screw to the end of timber should be half the arch diameter. Place pencil at end to rotate and scribe a circle. Make as many inserts as needed.
STEP 10 Use jigsaw to cut out circles, then cut boards in half so each piece has a semi-circle.
STEP 11 Sand cut edges of MDF arches smooth and apply an undercoat. Let dry.
STEP 12 Run adhesive bead around edges on front face of arches. Hold up on inside of strips on bookcases and press against them. Ensure bottom of pieces is level and sitting centrally in opening. Use painter’s tape to hold in place as adhesive sets.
STEP 13 Fill gaps between components with gap filler and nail holes with wood filler. Let dry, then sand as needed. Apply undercoat to coverstrips, skirting, arches and moulding, let dry, then apply 2 coats white paint, letting dry after each coat.