DIY bookshelf ideas bookworms will love

Key steps

• Think about the space available in your home and how many books you want your DIY bookshelf to store.

• Don't be in a rush to reach for the drill. There are plenty of bookshelf ideas that don't require you to drill permanent holes in your wall.

Are you a bookworm? Is your room or your house overpopulated by books and you don’t know how to organise them? If yes, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve let our creative juices flow to show you ways of making a DIY bookshelf that suits your needs and style.

We've selected three bookshelf ideas — DIY and easy — and you don't need to drill holes in your walls to make your own DIY bookshelf wall. These ideas all make ideal DIY bookshelves for small spaces too.

When dealing with wood, stay safe by wearing protective gloves and sanding any splinters away.

1. DIY wood shelves for books

A classic option with a twist.

1. Working with wood can sometimes be time-consuming but a great DIY bookshelf can be put together in a second just by using crates.

2. Stacked then up and glue together with wood glue.

3. If you are fond of the rustic style, leave the crates unpainted. 

4. If you want a more elegant touch then polish, paint and varnish!

Remember to be cautious about any sharp edges or splinters. It’s always a good idea to sand the surfaces just in case.

2. DIY ladder shelf for books

Ladder shelves make great DIY bookshelves for small spaces.

1. Find yourself a ladder in a size that suits your needs.

2. Sand, and prepare the wood. 

3. Paint it or varnish as you wish.

4. Open up the ladder, which will be used as the triangular frame to receive the shelves. 

5. Make sure the shelves are the right width to be able to go across the ladder steps - buy or cut them yourself from scrap wood.

6. Glue in the wood boards to each step. Make sure that the longest board goes at the bottom and the smallest at the top to keep the balance.

3. DIY pipe shelves for books

Pipe shelves are a great option if you want to add an industrial element to your home — they’re trendy and stylish, and to be honest, quite easy to make.

1. Use PVC pipes to create a sturdy spine that holds the shelves together. In other words, the pipes would be assembled to create a scaffolding for your shelves.

2. Spray-paint the structure a metallic dark copper or mossy green to keep it rustic. 

3. Use dark wood planks cut to the correct size to fit the structure.

There you have it — 3 ideas for keeping your space cool and your books in check! And all of them can be used together to create a DIY bookshelf wall, should you wish to (and who doesn’t want a Beauty and the Beast–style library in their own home?). Regardless of whether you opt for a DIY ladder shelf, DIY pipe shelves, or DIY wood shelves, you’ll be sure to add some character to your home as well as a reason for buying more books.

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