A DIY for the Books: The best way to Get Customized Constructed-In Cabinets on a Finances

When you construct it, books will come. (And loads of compliments too!)

Constructed-in cabinets can take your room from boring to bespoke in a snap. Sadly, they’ll additionally include a hefty price ticket.

However I’m going to share the insider secrets and techniques that you must DIY your option to wealthy outcomes with out breaking the financial institution. (Trace: The key is beginning with assembled bookcases, just like the IKEA BILLY!)

Try this dramatic earlier than and after:

I nonetheless stroll in generally and might’t even imagine it’s the identical room. After all, there have been many different updates and tasks to get this look, however the cabinets positively set the stage. 

Let’s get began!

Supplies

Observe: All the time measure first to get your provides proper. Our measurements weren’t precisely equal, with a width of 41″ on one facet of the hearth and 43″ on the opposite. However we compensated with our build-out round it, and it made no distinction in any respect.

Two BILLY bookcases with extension, or comparable product
Two 1″ x 12″ x 6′ whitewood boards (for tops)
Two 1″ x 12″ x 10′ whitewood boards (for seen sides subsequent to fire)
Two 1″ x four″ x 12″ widespread boards (Every minimize to size, then screwed into the wall studs flush behind every shelf for assist. This compensates for the 1″ distinction within the whitewood boards and BILLY bookcase depth)
three″ drywall screws to connect widespread board to studs
Three 2″ x four″ x 10′ boards (for hidden sides subsequent to partitions and for header body)
Eight 2″ x four″ x 11″ items (to fill gaps between shelf and whiteboard on fire facet)
4  four 1/four″ x 1 1/eight″ x 9″ plinth blocks of selection
4  four 1/four″ x 1 1/eight″ x four 1/four″ plinth blocks of selection
4 15/32″ x three 9/16″ x 96″ strips of millwork molding (to cowl the left and proper edges of every shelf)
Eight 1 1/2″ x 2″ x 1 three/eight″ 18-gauge metal brackets and nails
Brad nails (or end nails)

Instruments

Miter noticed or ability noticed
Brad nailer (beneficial)
Drill equipment
Tape measure

Let’s construct!

Mark your studs, and screw the minimize 1″ x four″ widespread board to the wall and into the studs with the drywall screws, spaced each 6-12″. Area the strips a number of ft other than prime to backside to get the most effective assist.

Reduce out the crown molding, shoe molding and baseboard if wanted.
Press the bookcases flush to the strips on the partitions, heart them and fasten the metal brackets to the bookcases and the strips screwed to the partitions.
Measure (ceiling to ground) the wall facet the place you need the outer fringe of your shelf.
Reduce the two″ x four″ to size and fasten to the wall.
Measure (ceiling to ground) the hearth facet the place you need the sting of your shelf.
Reduce the 1″ x 12″ whiteboard to size and fasten utilizing 2″ x four″ blocks to carry the hole.

Measure from the within of the two″ x four″ to the within of the 1″ x 12″ throughout the highest of the bookcase. Reduce one other 2″ x four″ to suit the area, and screw it in on both sides.
Measure and minimize the 1″ x 12″ whiteboard designated for the highest. Brad nail throughout the entrance first after which the facet.

Now place and brad nail the plinth blocks.

Subsequent, measure and minimize the millwork to size, and brad nail that into place.

Organize cabinets as desired. I minimize a number of in half to make the vertical breaks and used one other 1″ x 12″ to fill the remaining longer gaps to my liking.

Paint, stain and embellish as desired. Right here’s our completed product!

Now it’s time to ask your mates over to get pleasure from your upgraded area and spoil you with compliments on the fruits of your labor … guide labor, but it surely was value it, proper?!

These are just about assured to be a clutch promoting characteristic in case you do resolve to place your own home available on the market. Within the meantime, I hope you’re keen on your new customized built-in bookcases as a lot as I like mine!

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