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

DIY Built-In Bookcase Tutorial

With these built-in bookshelves, the lower cabinets serve as a base for the bookshelves that nearly reach the ceiling. A crown and rosettes are added to give it a true built-in feel. A great tutorial is included to help you build these bookcases, too.

DIY Built-In Bookcase Tutorial from Artsy Chicks Rule

Custom Built-Ins

If you want to build custom built-ins, start with a blank wall and add bookshelves, one at a time. Finish with crown molding, a fresh coat of white paint, and, of course, some favorite books and knickknacks.

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

DIY Built-In Bookshelves

This six-shelf built-in bookcase is a great project if you're looking for a simple built-in that assembles 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

Built-In IKEA BILLY Bookcase Hack

With this DIY project, you can get the look of built-ins with half the work. The built-in bookcases are made from IKEA Billy bookcases. You'll start by building a base and then adding 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

Built-In Bookshelves for Your Home

If you're tight on space, you may want to consider this narrow bookshelf with four shelves. There are tons of diagrams and instructions for building this bookcase, plus tips on size modification. It's a great starter project.

Built-In Bookshelves for Your Home from Remodelaholic

Office Built-In Bookcases

The bookshelves in this home office rest on top of kitchen base cabinets. It's a straightforward build requiring some supports, framing, and shelving. An intermediate or confident beginner can tackle this DIY home project.

Office Built-In Bookcases from Thrifty Decor Chick

Built-In Bookshelves from IKEA Billy Bookcases

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

Black Custom Built-in Bookcase

This custom built-in bookcase is a little different from the rest. Instead of a wall of bookshelves, it has an open space in the middle and an upper bookshelf that runs above. This tutorial takes you through building the base cabinets, installing the bookshelves, and adding finishing touches.

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

White and Bright Bookshelves

This DIY project transforms the room by replacing bland shelves with new ones. Along with written instructions and photos, a video will take you through the process of changing out the bookcases.

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

Blue DIY Built-Ins

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

Open DIY Bookshelf Plans

This DIY built-in bookcase plan starts with valuable advice on planning your built-ins and progresses through building the base cabinets and installing the upper shelves.

Built-In Bookshelf DIY Plans from Design Morsels

Built-In Bookshelves

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

Custom Kitchen Bookcase

This tutorial shows how to add a built-in bookcase to a kitchen island. The final bookcase is the perfect place to display cookbooks or store extra table linens.

Custom Kitchen Bookcase from Deeply Southern Home

Electric Fireplace With Built-in Bookshelves

This DIY project builds a farmhouse-style fireplace hearth and bookshelves that surround it. The result is a beautiful, clean, and modern piece of furniture. Plans are detailed and give you everything you need to complete the project.

Electric Fireplace with Built-in Bookshelves from Free and Unfettered

Built-In Bookcases

This DIY built-in bookcase project starts by having you determine your design style and decide what type of bookshelves you want. The bottom cabinets are the same as the kitchen's base cabinets for a more cohesive feel. Custom shelves and molding were added above the cabinets.

Built-In Bookcases from Katrina Blair

DIY Custom Built-In Bookcases

Check out these built-in bookcases for a custom look. Starting with an empty wall, this space is completely transformed with the added built-ins. You can customize the size and shape of the shelves based on the items you want to display.

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

Simple Recessed Bookshelf

One of the easiest and least expensive projects on our list, this simple bookshelf fits between wall studs. Essentially a simple inset box with horizontal shelves and trim moldings, it gives the look of a built-in bookshelf for a kid's room or small office.

How to Make a Built-In Bookshelf from Popular Mechanics

Floor-to-Ceiling Built-In Bookshelves

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.

Full Wall Bookcase

If you're converting a spare bedroom into an office space or home library, this impressive floor-to-ceiling unit uses stock cabinets to cover the entire wall. The shelves are available at any home center. This is an involved project, but it can be accomplished by a DIYer with intermediate experience.

DIY Built-In Bookshelf from Instructables Living

Easy Built-In Bookcases

This looks like a custom built-in bookcase, but it's made from IKEA Billy bookcases. The IKEA units are stripped of extraneous details, while other elements like trim and paint are added for a custom look. Only a few power tools are needed for this advanced-beginner project.

Easy Built-In Bookcases from Lovely Etc.