I used vertical spacers on each end of the shelves, and one in the middle. This allows you to accommodate for any slight difference in width from bottom to top. While each successive layer is nearly identical, I custom fit each shelf level as I went and marked them clearly. With the main structure in place, you can then move on to fitting each shelf one layer at a time. Double check everything to make sure it is square and plumb (or pretty darn close). With the bottom and sides in place, use some clamps to position the top box in place, making it level, and attach it to the side pieces with screws and to the wall studs with screws and shims. Attach the sides to the bottom box with screws from the inside making sure they do not penetrate all the way through.

You’ll be able to cover small gaps with trim later in the build. With the bottom box in place, install the side pieces making them as close to plumb as possible. And attach it in place with a few screws into the studs. Make sure it is as square as possible in the corner. Make sure it sits level on the ground using shims. Once you have the boxes built, install the bottom box in place like you would a base cabinet. These form the main structure of the corner bookshelf.

The first step is to build the top and bottom boxes and cut the side pieces. With the open corner, I simply painted the wall behind the shelf to match rather than attaching any kind of a back. With this approach, you can essentially build two separate shelves, butt them against each other in the corner and install them in place. If you are looking for a simpler way of building a corner bookshelf, simply box in the corner. But it did mean that I would have to build the shelf in place, one shelf at a time, and the shelves would have to be fixed in place and couldn’t be adjustable. This really wasn’t that big of a problem as I simply added a vertical 1×2” in the back corner of each shelf. Because each shelf is mitered, each shelf piece rests fully supported by the center support.Īn open corner means that I would have to come up with a way to support the shelf in the middle. The open corner is supported by a vertical 1×2″ spacer along the back corner. It makes the construction much simpler and allows you have have adjustable shelves as well.īut I chose to have an open corner. Most corner bookshelves (or book case) that you see will have a boxed-in corner. In fact, subscribe to my YouTube channel while you are at it. But if you are so inclined, you can simply watch the video. If you like to read, you can skip below and read more about how I built the corner book case. And a corner bookshelf will give the area purpose and visual interest without overpowering the space.īy the way, is it a book shelf or bookshelf, book case or bookcase? I’ll stick with built-in corner bookshelves for now, but maybe corner bookcases would work as well. Great idea! We have a bunch of books in boxes from our last move and need a place for them. It’s not a big enough area for a seating area, but it feels like you need something there.

It’s around 3 foot by 4 foot right outside the bathroom door. At the bottom of the stairs, there is an open area outside the entrances to the extra bedroom, the bathroom, the family room, and the hall to the other extra bedroom that is nothing more than a wide spot in the hallway.

We had one of those spaces in our basement. Every house has one of those spaces that makes you scratch your head…What did they intend this space for when they built the house?

Kitchen corner shelf