How to make a custom built-in bookshelf from Ikea pine cabinets and glued-laminated boards

Built-in bookshelf: supplies

Choose a semi-matte or glossy paint so it’s easier to wipe dust off the bookshelf. The lighter the shade, the more important it is to use an isolation primer, as it prevents knots from showing through.

In addition to pine boards, you’ll need pre-made Ikea Ivar cabinets to build a solid-wood bookshelf. If necessary, sand the sawed edges of the boards with sandpaper. Smooth out any visible dents with filler and sand them down.

Built-in bookshelf: instructions

1. Assemble and mount the Ivar cabinets. Attach them to the wall at your desired height with screws. You can hide the gap under the cabinets with a baseboard or raise the cabinets higher and add a cover panel. Depending on the width of your bookshelf, you can split an Ivar cabinet into two separate units.

2. Measure and mark the shelf dimensions on the wall above the cabinets. Sketching the measurements helps you visualize the spacing between the shelves. Then measure and saw the glued-laminated boards to the required sizes.

You can also paint the background wall with a large roller before you build the shelf.

The TV cables and outlet run through the cabinet below. The board on top has a circular hole for the cables to pass through.

3. Join the boards with screws, adding wood glue on the joint surfaces. You can assemble sections of the shelf on the floor and then lift them into place. Secure the shelf to the wall with furniture brackets. If needed, add a baseboard at the bottom of the wall below the cabinets and a cover panel at the ceiling.

4. Fill the screw holes with quick filler, let it dry, and sand smooth. Then apply isolation primer to stop the wood grain from showing through the topcoat. Finally, paint the shelf and the background wall twice using a small roller and a paintbrush.

The background wall, shelf, and door are all painted in the same shade.

Plan the measurements of the shelf based on what you intend to store on the it.

Materials purchased at: K-rauta (laminated boards, quick filler, and paint); Ikea (cabinets).