DIY: How to Build Your Own Built-In Shelves
This tutorial will show you how to build your own custom DIY built-in shelves using ready assembled base cabinets.
We opted to use ready-made base cabinets on the bottom of our built-ins to make the project easier for us.
Secure your base cabinets securely into the studs.
We wanted the middle to cabinets to stick out a little bit so we put 2x4's behind them to "bump them out" some.
We used plywood to create a top for the base cabinets. We finished the edges by attaching a 1x2 using wood glue and a brad nailer.
We built three separate shelf "columns" out of plywood on top of the base cabinets. Secure to studs.
Secure "columns" to both the wall and to each other.
We covered the raw edge of the columns with a 1x2.
We used a 1x5 and crown molding to trim out the top of the shelves.
Prime everything with a coat of Bullseye Zinsser 123 Primer.
We used painter's tape to determine how many shelves we wanted as well as the distance between them
We cut plywood to make the shelves and trimmed out the front with a simple decorative piece of trim.
Prime each shelf for paint with primer.
Caulk all seams and then Paint the entire unit with desired paint. We used a Sherwin Williams bright white in a semi-gloss.
We used a Kreg Shelf Pin Jig to make the holes for the shelf brackets so that we could adjust them as needed.
After painting is complete, add knobs to the cabinet doors and you are ready to decorate and style your shelves.
See more details from this project on my blog.
Resources for this project:
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Comments
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Great job. It’s beautiful. I didn’t think all white decor in shelves would be eye appealing. But this is gorgeous. Changed my mind. You better go to next project, you nailed this one.
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I would not have thought to use ready made cabinets for the bottom. Great idea! I love how this turned out.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Can this be modified for a bathroom? Make the bottom cabinets the same size. Make the two side shelves the same front size to match the bottom cabinets. The center would be where the sink would be located, over the two center bottom cabinets. The area above the sink the mirror would be located there. Above the mirror the light fixture. Add a shelf above the mirror and two side shelves, all the way across.
I think would be beautiful!
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It’s absolutely gorgeous! I’m wondering, did you put the 2x4’s all the way down behind the base cabinet in the middle? Thanks!