I am a retired librarian and love books so I want to share some fun and functional DIY bookcases you can make to house your own book collection. Happy reading!
Many of my organizing clients struggle with keeping track of their collection of books. It can be challenging to keep all of the ones you want while not overwhelming your space.
Is this you? Believe me, you’re not alone!
I worked in libraries for 32 years, 16 of them as a librarian, so believe me when I say I love books. But if you are like me, you have acquired a lot of books and need some good ideas on how to keep them neatly organized. So here are 8 fantastic ideas for bookshelves that are unique, fun, and functional!
1. Re-purpose an old dresser.
Pull out the drawers (more on those in a minute), and either paint the inside a great color or add wallpaper or decoupage with colorful scrapbooking paper for a bookcase with your own personal style.
By the way, are your craft supplies a jumbled mess? Get a FREE copy of my top ways to organize them below. 👇
2. Re-purpose dresser drawers.
See? I told you I’d show you what to do with those leftover drawers. These make great bookcases hung up on the wall. Here are the directions.
Want more ideas? Here is another post I did on 16 fabulous ways to repurpose dresser drawers.
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3. Reconfigure pre-made bookshelves to make them even better.
These are 3 Billy bookcases from Ikea (2 upright and 1 on its side) that create a great reading nook. *Note: Make sure you secure them together, so they do not get tipped over easily.
I love Ikea hacks! Here are some more: 10 awesome Ikea hacks you need to try.
4. Use 4 wooden crates to make a stylish bookcase.
5. Build your own bookshelves using PVC pipes and boards for an industrial look.
6. Use short bookcases to wrap your couch to store books and use as end tables.
Especially functional if you have a small space.
Here are some other beautiful ways to create more storage.
7. Use Ikea spice racks as bookshelves for kids’ rooms.
I love these Bekvam racks. They are so versatile and you paint or stain them to match any decor.
8. Books bring us pleasure! So dress them up to fit your style, like this Dr. Who Tardis book cabinet made from an inexpensive plain white pantry cabinet.
Hopefully, it’s bigger on the inside, so it can hold more books! 😉
And a bonus tip on how to style a bookcase.
Now that you have that empty bookcase waiting to be filled, here are some ideas on how to style it!
Tired of the clutter but don’t know where to start? Get the FREE list of 50 items to declutter RIGHT NOW!
So, I hope you got some great inspiration from these ideas!
I’ll leave you with one final quote, one of my favorites from Dr. Seuss:
By the way, a great way to celebrate reading is a party on March 2nd, Dr. Seuss’ birthday. See my ideas here: Dr. Seuss birthday party ideas – from a children’s librarian!
And if you are looking for a gift for your favorite bibliophile, check out my Ultimate Book Lover’s Gift Guide!
Leave me a comment and tell me what you like to read!
My all-time favorite? Agatha Christie!
~ Pam
Thank you for the great ideas!!! Some of my favorite authors are Dee Henderson, Gertrude Chandler Warner (The Boxcar Children – I read these as a child and still enjoy listening to the audiobooks while I do stuff around the house!), Carolyn Keene (Nancy Drew), Franklin W. Dixon (Hardy Boys), Agatha Christie (Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot are my favorites!!!), Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes), and more!
We have similar taste in authors, Karina! Nice choices!!! 🙂
Where are the instructions for the Dr. Who kitchen cbinet please?
Love this site.
Hi Ruth! Sorry! It looks like the original link has been taken down. 🙁 I found another one that explains “how” they made it, but couldn’t find any step-by-step instructions. I’ve updated the link on my post, but it’s right here, too: http://www.diyhowto.org/diy-tardis-bookshelf-projects-ideas-free-plans/. Well, I guess that means I’ll just have to make my own Dr. Who bookcase and then share my own steps! 🙂 Let me know how yours turns out!
Love the wrap around couch bookcase, the crate bookcase and the PVC shelves. I am going to look into the PVC shelves actually, it seems very budget friendly 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words. And yes, I am all about finding affordable items! PVC is definitely affordable. 🙂