How to Make DIY Built-In Bookshelves: 20 Ideas & Tutorials

If you're looking to make a true transformation to a room in your home, consider using one of these DIY built-in bookcase plans. Not only will it update and refresh the space, but it will also give you extra storage for books or a place to decorate and show off your favorite collection.

Despite looking complicated, these built-in bookshelves only have a few components to them. In most cases, base cabinets are the anchor and then the shelves are built. Crown molding or headers are put at the top to make them look like true built-ins. These are straightforward projects that are perfect for the intermediate builder.

Costs can vary widely, depending on the size of the project and the materials you choose. It is possible to build some projects for less than $100, while other, more elaborate projects might cost many hundreds of dollars, especially if you choose to build the from fine hardwood or other premium materials

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One Thing Ep 89: A Simple Guide to Stylish Bookshelves

01 of 20

DIY Built-In Bookcase Tutorial

Artsy Chicks Rule

These bookshelves come together one section at a time. The lower cabinets serve as a base for the bookshelves that go almost up to the ceiling. A crown and rosettes are added to give it a true built-in feel. There's a great tutorial included that will tell you everything you need to know so you can build these bookcases too.

DIY Built-In Bookcase Tutorial from Artsy Chicks Rule
02 of 20

Custom Built-Ins

Crystel Montenegro At Home

Are you looking to build some custom built-ins? This project will show you how to do it. Starting out with a blank wall, the built-in bookcases are added one at a time and attached to the wall. Crown moulding and a fresh coat of white paint are added as final touches, really making the bookshelves special. Now they're just waiting for some books and knick-knacks.

How to Build Custom Built-Ins from Crystel Montenegro At Home
03 of 20

DIY Built-In Bookshelves

DIY Decor Mom

This six-shelf built-in bookcase would be a great project if you're looking for a simple built-in that will come together fairly quickly. It's a great solution for a small space. This is a very detailed tutorial that will help you with every step of building your bookshelves.

DIY Built-In Bookshelves from DIY Decor Mom
04 of 20

Built-In IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hack

A Beautiful Mess

Get the look of built-ins with half the work with this DIY project. It may be hard to believe but these built-in bookcases are made from IKEA BILLY bookcases. You'll start off building a base and then add the bookcases on top of that. Once they are framed and painted, they'll be all set to be on display.

Built-In IKEA Billy Bookcase Hack from A Beautiful Mess

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05 of 20

Built-In Bookshelves for Your Home

Remodelaholic

If you're tight on space, you may want to consider this built-in bookshelf project. that's narrow and has four shelves. There are tons of diagrams and instructions for building this bookcase, plus tips on how to modify the size if you'd like something wider. It's a great project that's not too big of a commitment so you can get a feel for the project.

Built-In Bookshelves for Your Home from Remodelaholic
06 of 20

Office Built-In Bookcases

Thrifty Decor Chick

The bookshelves added to this home office really transform the room. The built-ins sit on top of purchased base cabinets. It's a straightforward build that only requires some supports, framing, and shelving. An intermediate or confident beginner could tackle this DIY home project.

Office Built-In Bookcases from Thrifty Decor Chick
07 of 20

Built-In Bookshelves from IKEA Billy Bookcases

Eleven Magnolia Lane

Here's another built-in bookshelf that features the Billy bookcases from IKEA. Since the bookcases are pre-built, you'll just need to construct a base and a top for them. You'll get a whole wall of bookshelves and a unique look you can't get anywhere else. This is a quick project that really looks like you built the whole thing yourself.

Built-In Bookshelves from IKEA Billy Bookcases from Eleven Magnolia Lane
08 of 20

DIY Built-In Bookshelves with Cabinets

Blessings on Brierhill

This project takes base cabinets and builds frames on top of them that form the final bookshelf. This is a great project if you're looking at how to incorporate built-ins around a feature like a TV or fireplace.

DIY Built-In Bookshelves with Cabinets from Blessings on Brierhill

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09 of 20

Black Custom Built-in Bookcase

Plank + Pillow

This custom built-in bookcase is a little different than all the rest. Instead of having a wall of bookshelves, this one has lots of open space in the middle with an upper bookshelf that runs above. This tutorial will take you through building the base cabinets, putting in the bookshelves, and adding finishing touches.

How to Build a Custom Built-in Bookcase from Plank + Pillow
10 of 20

White and Bright Bookshelves

Lucy Jo Home

This DIY project replaces some very ugly shelves with some new ones that simply transform the whole room. Along with written instructions and photos is a video that will take you through their process of changing out the bookcases.

How to Make Custom DIY Built-In Shelves from Lucy Jo Home
11 of 20

Blue DIY Built-Ins

The DIY Playbook

If you're looking for a lot of detail in a DIY bookshelf plan, this is the tutorial for you. The first part will take you through installing purchased base cabinets, the second part will take you through building the actual bookshelves, and the final section will show you the final reveal plus give you a budget breakdown.

DIY Built-Ins from The DIY Playbook
12 of 20

Open DIY Bookshelf Plans

Design Morsels

This DIY built-in bookcase plan starts out with some valuable advice on planning your built-ins and deciding what level of DIY you want to tackle—from beginning to expert. The next sections of the project will take you through building the base cabinets, and installing the upper shelves.

Built-In Bookshelf DIY Plans from Design Morsels

Continue to 13 of 20 below.
13 of 20

Built-In Bookshelves

Melissa Lynch

This stunning built-in bookcase starts out with IKEA base cabinets and then the actual shelving is built-on. Lights were added above each shelf, with the wiring covered up by a header.

Built-In Bookshelves from Melissa Lynch
14 of 20

Custom Kitchen Bookcase

Deeply Southern Home

A little different from all the rest, this project is a tutorial on how to add a built-in bookcase to an island. The final bookcase looks fantastic—it's hard to believe that it was added after the island was installed.

Custom Kitchen Bookcase from Deeply Southern Home
15 of 20

Electric Fireplace With Built-in Bookshelves

Free and Unfettered

This DIY project builds a farmhouse-style fireplace hearth and bookshelves that surround it. It's a complete building project, having everything you need to tackle this project from start to finish.

Electric Fireplace with Built-in Bookshelves from Free and Unfettered
16 of 20

Built-In Bookcases

Katrina Blair

This DIY built-in bookcase project starts out by having you determine your design style and decide what type of bookshelves you want. The designer opted to use cabinets at the base that coordinated with their existing kitchen cabinets for a cohesive feel in the home. Custom shelves were added above the cabinets, along with moulding, and the whole unit was painted.

Built-In Bookcases from Katrina Blair

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DIY Custom Built-In Bookcases

Chloe Joy/Little House Big City

If you're looking for something truly custom, you'll want to check out these built-in bookcases. Starting out with an empty wall, this space is completely transformed with the added built-ins. The design portion of this project will help you decide what size and shape of the shelves you'd like.

DIY Custom Built-In Bookcases from Chloe Joy/Little House Big City
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Simple Recessed Bookshelf

Ben Goldstein / Popular Mechanics

One of the easiest and least expensive projects in our list, this simple bookshelf fits into the space between wall studs. It's really nothing more than a simple inset box with horizontal shelves, which is then dressed up with trim moldings.

How to Make a Built-In Bookshelf from Popular Mechanics
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Floor-to-Ceiling Built-In Bookshelves

Home Depot

Major home centers and lumber outlets often offer detailed plans for various projects using their materials. This impressive project is ideal for creating a reading nook around a window. Despite the custom look, it can be built fairly easily by anyone with basic carpentry skills and some patience.

DIY Built-In Bookshelves from Home Depot
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Full Wall Bookcase

Dankozi713 / Instructables Living

If you're converting a spare bedroom into an office space or home library, the remodel can be designed around this impressive floor-to-ceiling unit that occupies a full wall. It uses stock wall cabinets, available at any home center, for the base, and sturdy but affordable Baltic birch plywood for the custom shelves. Certainly a major project, but one easily accomplished by a DIYer with some experience.

DIY Built-In Bookshelf from Instructables Living

How to Make DIY Built-In Bookshelves: 20 Ideas & Tutorials

One Thing Ep 89: A Simple Guide to Stylish Bookshelves

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