When I found out my good friend was having a baby, I decided I wanted to give him the perfect way to both decorate the nursery while always having books to read at night. So I decided to build them a Homemade DIY Kid’s Bookshelf and I included the plans so you can build one too! This can either be a unique baby shower gift, or maybe it’s the perfect new bookcase for a bedroom in your own home. If you want to put together a unique baby shower gift that is a little more simple, you can try this DIY gift basket.
Bookshelf Dimensions: 22.25 x 36 inches
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Why you’ll love this project
- Adorable: Both small and customizable, this DIY baby bookshelf is the perfect size for small child.
- Easy: The plans for this kid’s bookshelf are simple to follow and quick to make, making it a great beginner project.
- Functional: Instead of the books being all over the floor, this DIY bookshelf for kids is the perfect way to store books, adding decor and function to any room.
- Customizable: I left mine natural wood because my friend is an artist and I wanted to let him paint it how he wants, but it’s easy to paint and add a name or phrase like Once Upon a Time or Reading Corner, for example.
Why I’m doing this project
While I know parents create a baby registry for a reason, I like to use my creativity to make them something unique and from the heart. That’s why I decided that a DIY kid’s bookshelf was the perfect gift for a new baby/baby shower gift.
Materials Needed
- 1/2 inch plywood (1/2 sheet)
- 1 x 10 x 6 piece of wood
- 1 x 3 x 6 piece of wood
- 36 inch wood dowel (I used some I already had so not sure of the size)
- Trim Molding (optional) I used some I already had
- Screws (I use Spax #6 or #8 – 1.5″ long)
- Nails
- Wood glue
- Wood filler
Tools Needed
- Nail gun
- Drill
- Miter saw (if you cut your own wood)
Cut List
*Be sure to doublecheck your measurements before cutting
- Back piece (1) – 22.25 inches x 36 inches – 1/2 inch plywood
- Front piece of storage box (1) – 22.25 inches long from the 1×10
- Sides of storage box (2) – 7 inches long from the 1×10
- Bottom of storage box (1) – 7 inches x 20 9/16 (* FYI that’s 1 tick after 20-1/2)
- Shelf sides (4) 2-3/4 inches from the 1×3
- Shelf bottoms (2) – 18 inches from the 1×3
- Dowel (2) – 18 inches each
Variations/ Adaptations
- Mount it on the Wall: Skip the base and just build the back. The lighter weight of the bookcase will easily mount on the wall.
- Customize it: Add a child’s name using Cricut or add something from your baby nursery’s theme to customize the look.
- Paint it: Paint it whatever color goes with your decor!
- When you are finished using it for books, just re-purpose it as a toy organizer in the playroom or a plant stand for growing indoor plants and herbs.
How to Make a DIY Kids Bookshelf
Step 1: Grab your two storage box sides, add wood glue and attach them to bottom of your back piece. Use your nail gun to attach from back.
Step 2: Attach bottom piece of storage box in between the storage sides. Don’t forget to add wood glue. Attach with nail gun and screws on back side.
Step 3: Attach front piece of storage box using nail gun & wood glue.
Step 4: Attach two side pieces to outside of each 18 inch piece to create shelves using wood glue and nail gun. Attach dowel in between side pieces using a screw on each side.
Step 5: Use wood glue and attach to the top area of back piece as shown. Use nail gun and screws to secure from the backside.
Step 6: Optional: Add trim on all edges. You can also paint/stain it at this point and add any customization you’d like.
Tips
- If you choose to use this as a baby shower gift, I recommend stocking it full of baby books. Here are the ones I used and where to buy them.
Other Great Gift Ideas
If you’re not sure about building a baby shower gift, then here are some other great baby shower gift suggestions that may not be on a registry:
- A Nightlight Sound Machine: Perfect for creating a small amount of ambient light while also blocking out noise from around the house or outside.
- A Bath Kneeling Pad: Perfect for saving your knees while kneeling beside the bathtub to give baby a bath. This one also comes with a handy mesh section for bath toys.
- A Wet/Dry Bag for on the go changes: One day you will be so happy you have this. It is perfect for storing wet clothing or bathing suites and keeping everything else in your diaper bag dry.
- Backseat Baby Mirror: With this mirror, you will always know if baby is awake or sleeping.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to build your own bookshelves?
While I haven’t seen this exact style of bookshelf on Etsy, I’ve seen other styles that can range from $60 – over $200. I had enough wood in my workshop to make this but the wood will prob run under $50 (not including molding). Adding molding definitely will increase the cost of materials.
What is the best wood for homemade bookcases?
I used sanded plywood and select wood for the 1×10 and 1×3 for this bookshelf.
What is the best joint for a bookcase?
I did butt joints because they are the most easy and beginner friendly to do. I also often use pocket holes to secure bookcase builds but I didn’t for this one.
How do you anchor a bookcase to the wall?
Find stud in wall, secure it with a wall anchor.
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