Are you a passionate reader looking to build an exquisite collection of books? If so, you’ll need a proper bookcase! In just a few minutes of reading, you’ll be able to learn how to build and maintain a bookcase. So gather all your books, let’s build them a home!
Being a bookworm myself, I often have books lying around everywhere, waiting to be organized and shelved properly. If you follow my example, soon, you’ll also have a beautiful bookcase to support all those literary pieces! My own bookcase comes with 2 inch recessed lights, which we’ll discuss in a little while. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in!
How to Build Your Own Bookcase?
Photo credit: Getty Images
“Kitchen and Bath Renovations is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.”
List of Items Required
- One sheet of ¾ inch plywood
- Two 2×2 boards
- Wood Glue
- Pocket Hole Screws (as required)
- A drill
Step By Step Procedure
Building your own bookcase is quite an easy process, which means you don’t have to be a woodworking expert to be able to make one yourself. All you need to do is cut the plywood strips, use pocket holes and glue to keep them together and assemble the whole thing!
Follow the steps below for a more detailed guide.
- Cutting Plywood Strips
Photo credits: archiexpo.com
Cut the plywood strips into two side panels, a top, a bottom, and a middle divider from the 11 inch wide strips with a miter saw.
- Pocket Holes
Photo credit: sawsonskates.com
Drill pocket holes into the top ends of the side panels and the middle divider, and both ends of the bottom panels.
- Assembling The Carcass
Use wood glue in 3 quarter inch pocket holes with one and a quarter inch pocket hole screws to assemble the carcass of the strips. Glue and screw the bottom panel between the side sides and then flip it over and screw the sides into the top to create a large box.
You can use corner clamps to help dry the glue.
- Adding The Panels
Photo credit: sawsonskates.com
Insert the middle panel between the top and bottom and attach pocket hole screws at the top and through the bottom into the middle divider.
- Finishing Touches
Photo credit: masterfile.com
Rub off any splinter edges using a dry cloth and place your books into your very own bookcase!
How to Maintain Your Bookcase?
Photo credit: dreamstime.com
Your books will last you a lifetime if you maintain your bookcase and keep it up to date. Here are a few steps in which you can maintain it.
- Take out all books. Don’t waste your time sorting anything at this point; just clear the shelves.
- Clean the bookcase. Pull it away from the wall, wipe it with a clean, dry cloth to get rid of dust, and then use a damp cloth to remove smudges.
- Clean the bottom. Bookcases collect a lot of dust and dirt over time. So, while the shelf is empty, tip it and get rid of debris and wipe it all off.
- Re-shelve your books! If you’ve already cleaned the books, put them back on the shelves in order. If you haven’t already cleaned the books, take them all out separately and use a dry cloth to dust them off before placing them back inside.
- Vacuum. Once all the dirt and dust is off your clean bookcase, make sure to vacuum the floor to finalize the cleaning process.
Once you’re done cleaning everything, take a step back and admire your hard work before picking a book to begin reading!
Recessed Lights and Why They Are Important?
If you love reading books, then reading at night is not new to you. However, reading in low or dim light can lead to eye strain, negatively affecting your vision.
There are several different solutions to this issue, but 2-inch recessed lighting is the most effective and useful way. 2-inch recessed lighting offers a clean, streamlined look in a home. It increases the amount of light in a room, highlights artwork or other special features, which make spaces, look bigger.
Most importantly, having 2-inch recessed lights around or in a bookcase makes your eyes more comfortable.
Where Should I Place Recessed Lights?
- To not block light with your head or shoulder, recessed lights should be placed above the head which can make reading or other work easier
- Placing recessed lights too close together or in rows down the center of the room can make it look like an airport runway, making the room look less hospitable.
- Install a combination of recessed lighting (in the ceilings) and under-cabinet lighting (in the cabinet bottoms) to wash your countertop with focused light while illuminating your kitchen properly.
How Can I Add Recessed Lights to My Home?
Photo credit: Kyle Allen Interiors
You can purchase and install these lights yourself from your local hardware store – or – you can visit Kitchen and Bath Renovations for all your remodeling and refurbishing needs!
The process of refurbishing or remodeling by yourself can be daunting, which is why you should schedule an appointment with Kyle Allen Interiors today, and our team of professionals will guide you on every step on how to turn your house into a home.
From choosing the materials and finishes to selecting hardware that coordinates with your overall home décor, we’ll work closely with you throughout the process so that we can create something perfect for you.
Whether it’s building and assembling a bookcase or including recessed lights in your home, Kyle Allen Interiors will be there to help you along the way.
Conclusion
So there we go! If you’re reading this conclusion, that means you have already learned how to build and maintain a bookcase and how recessed lights can uplift your home! Make sure to check out Kyle Allen Interiors for all your furnishing needs.
Author:
Jeff Kennedy
Editor in Chief
of Vade Mecum of Luxury Journal, multiple site contributor, writer, renovation professional He has been an active participant in the construction industry for 32 years, doing everything from design to finish work.
He shares his unique perspective on renovation and construction through writing about professional experiences. Jeff’s motto is that “enjoying what you do is the best feeling.” If you enjoy your job with friends, then you will never have to go to work!
Get featured in our Journal!
