Mid-Century bookcase, was used with Child Craft Books and Encyclopedia's
What do I need to build a cookbook shelf like this (pic)?
by
Linda
+2
I want a certain bookcase for my kitchen area for my cookbooks, but to buy to costly or too far away and has to be shipped. What materials do I need to build myself?
Same piece, have to find sizes, don't have right now.
Where do you live Linda? How about shopping at your local Habitat Re Store, thrift and second hand shops, garage and yard sales for a bookcase you can make over to coordinate with your decor?
If you do want to build your own, purchase supplies from a proper lumber yard as most home improvement centers have a poor selection of "furniture grade" lumber. Google to find your plans and instructions.
Here are a few to get you started.
https://www.familyhandyman.com/woodworking/bookcase/simple-bookcase-plans/
https://www.classyclutter.net/how-to-add-legs-to-furniture/
https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-bookcase-plans-1357109
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-build-a-bookshelf/9ba683603be9fa5395fab904e329862
I would also ask any teachers you know and certainly librarians if they have any old book racks that you can have. You may need to add a shelf, or a brace behind an open rack, or a wheel, but you can do minor repairs for minimal money. I suggest painting it a satin color and adding old fashioned kitchen decals (like roosters) to make your cookbook rack authentic. You have a good idea! Jewell
https://morningchores.com/diy-bookshelf/
Mid Century pieces are worth some money! You could sell the piece as is and have funds to purchase precisely what you want. I strongly discourage you from hacking into this piece!
Do you have wall space for storing the cookbooks? It's quite easy to make book shelves for the wall. Otherwise, you can pretty easily make cubes work or other items from a resale store.
Response to Robyn:
Linda wants a shelf unit like the one in the pictures she posted with her question. She does not have one yet.