Creative DIY Bookshelf Ideas, Plans & Tutorials

If you are like me, you are always looking for a way to give your decor a little twist… Nothing crazy, but making DIY projects that are just a little unique creates a home with personality and style. These creative DIY bookshelves do double duty – they offer you much needed storage and display space, and add a touch of whimsical style. Oh, and most of them are easy beginner projects! Which book shelf is your fav?

 

 

 

Creative DIY Bookshelves

DIY Bookshelves – Wall

Loving on this diamond shaped DIY bookshelf from ‘A Beautiful Mess‘. This is simply shelves and brackets hung in a particular shape, it’s that easy! You can customize the size and shape, too.

 

The ‘Live Free Creative Co.‘ took this store bought bookcase and turned it into something really creative. This became a DIY bookshelf when they discovered that as purchased, it was not sturdy enough to be freestanding. So they removed the bases, and then mounted it on the wall. You could do this same type of creative bookshelf idea with other types of freestanding bookshelves too. We especially like that since these were used in a child’s room, they are safer being mounted on the wall. Oh, and they look so cool!

 

This awesome DIY bookshelf from ‘My Modern Met‘ looks impossible to DIY. But it is actually a pretty easy process using simple storage cubes, and they take you through it step by step. I love the interesting starburst shape, makes me want to hang around and see what they have to read! (Hopefully, their kids feel that way too!)

 

Here is another bookshelf idea that is along the same lines, though we could not find a tutorial, or even a source for it! It makes me think of how we could take the last tutorial and create a really amazing project! How about your child’s initial?

 

From ‘Fresh Mommy Blog‘, learn how they made this charming ladder DIY bookshelves idea, with step by step photos and a before and after of them using it in their home… This is cool!

DIY ladder booshelf

 

These DIY bookshelves from ‘Homemade Modern‘ are made of inexpensive plywood. But they look great, and even provide a desk space so that you can fit a home office or homework space virtually anywhere.

 

These rustic DIY shelves are made with pipe fittings. You can buy these pipe shelf brackets at ‘Amazon‘, then simply cut and finish board timber to fit the depth of the brackets.

 

Another option for using brackets made from pipe. Get this DIY bookshelf kit from ‘Amazon‘. This one comes with either two or four tiers, but again, all you have to do is add board lumber! Also, check out our post on DIY Projects with Pipe!

 

Wow, what a creative mind to have come up with this DIY bookshelf that looks like a rope bridge! From ‘Instructables” this would be a cool shelf for an outdoorsy person, or just a fun conversation piece.

 

DIY Bookshelves – Built In

If you are looking for a built in DIY bookshelf, you could not do better than to make this Ikea hack built in bookcase from ‘Making Home Base‘. They used inexpensive Billy Bookcases and these great instructions to create a built in piece of furniture that looks custom!

 

DIY Bookshelves for Kids

Here is another Ikea hack DIY bookshelf perfect for the nursery or a kids room. Made from Ikea spice racks, ‘The DIY Playbook‘ show exactly how to create these shelves for less than $12!

 

More DIY Bookshelf Ideas

If you can use a drill and a paintbrush, you are half way to making these cool crate DIY bookshelves from ‘Brit + Co.! Easy, easy, easy! And we love how fun these colors are.

 

From ‘Jen Woodhouse‘, she made this stunning Toscana bookcase knock off for less than $80. Know what the real thing retails for? $755! Download her free plans.

 

Want something with a little lighter feel? No problem. Also from ‘Jen Woodhouse‘ (isn’t she crazy talented?) download these free plans for her rustic DIY bookshelf.

 

If you are looking for a clean, but more masculine look (ladies, you can like a masculine look too!) then try these iron angle DIY bookshelves from ‘Homemade Modern‘. There is even a full video tutorial for this project.

 

Finally, if you are looking to make something a little bit different, then try this freestanding DIY bookshelf from ‘Simplified Building‘. It’s made from pipe fittings and wood, then painted.

We LOVE books, so these creative DIY Bookshelves were just up our alley! We think you will want to check out our post on DIY Floating Shelves, and Clever Ways to Decorate Your Hallway! (Hint, books are involved!) Also check out Shelf Decor Ideas over at TBD!

Note : This post has been freshened with updated projects.

Image Credits: Homemade Modern, A Beautiful Mess, Live Free Creative, My Modern Met, Fresh Mommy, Amazon, Amazon, Instructables, Making Home Base, The DIY Playbook, Brit + Co., Jen Woodhouse, Jen Woodhouse, Homemade Modern, Simplified Building
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more info.




Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates & Steve Bates (co-owners) – Woodard Bates Media LLC consisting of three blogs: TheBudgetDecorator.com, OhMeOhMyBlog.com and TheGardenGlove.com.

Kathy Bates’ previous writing credits include:

Former home decorating expert for Lifetime TV, Galtime and Country Woman Magazine.

Her book spent time at #1 on Amazon’s Home & Garden Topseller List in 2002.

Published or featured in numerous national publications, including:

Country Sampler’s Decorating Ideas magazine, Woman’s Day magazine, HGTV, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Marketwatch, Decorating Solutions magazine, Decorating Ideas magazine, The Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Kansas City News, The Oklahoman, Akron Beacon Journal, Pensacola News Journal and The Telegraph.

6 Comments

  1. September 26, 2015 / 10:33 am

    Love the wine bottle shelving! That’s a cool project. Have you ever considered original wooden wine crate shelving? It’s old-world and Chateau-Chic. Feel free to visit Winepine to take a look at the different options available.

  2. Cynthia House
    May 9, 2014 / 1:56 pm

    Is there any site where I can get instructions such as what materials are used for the book case that is listed first. “READ” on the wall to store books. Thank you.

    • Kathy Woodard
      Author
      May 20, 2014 / 4:23 pm

      Unfortunately we couldn’t find a source for this photo. If anyone knows, please let us know so we can give proper credit.

  3. Patrice
    May 8, 2014 / 11:56 am

    Once again-love the post.

  4. ursula cecile
    March 6, 2014 / 11:59 am

    Love your super creative ideas–.Most so simple but such wonderful imagination. Thank you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.