Sometimes a bookshelf, especially a built-in bookshelf, needs to hold or store more than just books.
It is easy to go out shopping for just the perfect piece of furniture or bookshelf. However, another option is to create cubbies in a bookcase of your own making & creativity.
To do this project, start by cutting vertical dividers to the depth of the unit minus 3/4 inch, and secure them in place with glue and finish nails. Face dividers with 1×1 trim flush with the shelf fronts. One sheet of 3/4-inch plywood and three 1×1 strips. You can find all of these materials at your local home improvement store, and shouldn’t cost you more than $30 for this quick fix.
To bring style to the new cubbies, pick up a few collapsible boxes of the same color (or different colors) to hide the toys, multiple remotes, or other items you don’t need to showcase in the bookshelf.
Want to take your bookcase to the next level? Consider putting in leftover wallpaper, or paint the back a different color. Pictured here, a bookshelf with orange background and a white swirl tree. Similar colors to that of Dr. Seuss, and perfect for a child’s room. Cubbies were created with the boxes in mind to store countless smaller toys to keep the space organized and picked up.
About the Author: Kelly Young, GRI
- Author's website: www.sellmyhomeincoloradosprings.com
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Kelly is an Associate Broker with Red Rock Realty. She has over 12 years experience in Real Estate in the Colorado Springs and Front Range region of Colorado. She represents buyers and sellers of real estate buying homes, land for sale, mountain getaways. Specific areas include: Black Forest, Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Divide, Falcon, Downtown, Manitou Springs, Monument, Old Colorado City, Westside, Woodmen Hills and Woodland Park. You can reach her at 719-226-0126 or by clicking "email the author" above.
That looks great. A perfect addition to a play room, family room, and of course, a kid's room!
Kelly it has a great look...and with your 1, 2 3 instructions it gives someone a do it yourself budget and price as well. Gotta love it!
Kelly, Great how to make cubbies from an existing bookshelf. Nicely done.