Build a Bookshelf with Adjustable Shelves

Materials and the sequence of the job sit together on this page.

Hello Bekob readers!  Jaime Costiglio here to share a direct do it yourself bookshelf with adjustable shelves and tons of book storage. It’s a direct bookshelf with just a hint of fancy detail so you can place it nearly anywhere in your home.

The interior is 31 1/2″ wide by 12″ deep which is just well fitted for all sizes of books but especially the larger kids picture books. And the shelf pin holes give an added functionality allowing you to create the best configuration for your book collection:

I also added cove moulding to the interior of each side panel but this is completely optional.

Handmade Bookshelf with Adjustable Shelves

Get the printable plans 

Supplies:                                                      

• 1 sheet – ¾” plywood
• ½ sheet – ¼” plywood
• 4 – 2x2x8 boards
• 1 – 1x2x6 pine board
• 4 – feet, tee nuts & hanger bolts
• 16’ cove moulding (optional)
• 2 ½” & 1 ¼”pocket hole screws
• 1 ¼” wood screws
• wood glue
• ¾” finish nails
• edge banding

Basic woodworking tools: circular saw or table saw, miter or chop saw, drill, nail gun, iron, pocket hole jig. Always use safety precautions when working with power tools.

Get the printable woodworking plans HERE for the full cut list and assembly instructions.

Adding Feet to a Bookshelf

I ended up adding an addition scrap 1×3 piece just inside the bottom corners because of the placement and size of the feet I selected. Predrill a hole for the tee nut and hammer it in place.

Prepare the feet by predrilling a hole for the hanger bolt and screwing it into position. Then screw the bolt into the tee nut.

How to Make Handmade Bookshelf Shelves Adjustable

Shelf pins and adjustable shelf pin holes make it straightforward to make your own adjustable shelf bookshelf! I used a piece of scrap peg board here and marked the depth of my drill bit with tape.

Finishing a Handmade Wood Bookshelf

After building according to the bookshelf woodworking plan, plug up all pocket holes then add wood putty and sand well. Apply edge banding to visible cut plywood edges. I used oil based primer then two coats of Benjamin Moore winter wheat semi-gloss to complete the bookshelf.

I hope you enjoy these plans!

More bookshelves to build:

• small open shelf building plan
• industrial shelf using PVC
• built-in corner bookshelf // built-in bookcase

Published 10 Jul 2015 // Updated 21 May 2020