For anyone who has ever need some shelving, it becomes quickly apparent that a decent bookshelf can cost more than the normal budget can handle. If you need some storage place for your books, you have some choices – especially if you are handy with simple household tools. Bookshelf plans are easy to follow and materials can usually be found at your local hardware store.
Not all shelving needs to be made of wood, however. If using a saw or making a mess is a major concern, try the newer “put it together yourself” modules. Buy the shelves, buy a base, and buy the sides, and with a few nails you have a gorgeous and very sturdy shelf in any size you need.

What you can do with Simple And Affordable Bookshelf Plans
For home project lovers who can’t wait to put on that tool belt and start working, plans for more intricate shelves can be found singly or even in magazines that specialize in storage shelves or any type of storage unit. Check out websites that deal specifically with household decor and improvement projects, too, and many will let you download the simpler beginner plans for free. You can also check this website here, who sells simple and affordable bookshelf plans for pennies.
If you haven’t done anything like this before, make sure you know what you are really undertaking. If you aren’t buying the easy modular pieces that literally fit together with a few screws, you should read the instructions before doing a thing. The instructions will give you an idea right away if you have the tools, talent or patience to finish the job.
Kits might be your best bet. If you want more than one shelf, practice by getting one kit that includes plans for putting it together. If this one comes out well, then you try another unit by starting with only a set of blueprints that tell you what kind of materials and tools you’ll need, and then give you step by step instructions on what to do first.
One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to build anything from a set of instructions, is that they don’t read them through. All too often you get to Step 10 and find you are missing a special type of screw or worse, you forgot to measure and cut a few pieces of siding.
Start with plans that don’t require the use of fancier cuts that require mitred corners or crown moldings across the top. Stick with straight pieces that are cut to fit perfectly. For beginners, this could easily be a challenge in itself!
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Winsome Wood 4-Tier Bookshelf, Honey
publisher: Winsome Wood
ASIN: B000NPQLAU
EAN: 0021713993427
sales rank: 21729
price: $77.94 (new)
Offering substantial storage space with a polished and sleek look, the bookshelf is perfect for holding extra computer supplies.Mix and match with the rest of the Studio Home Office line.
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Towering Tomes Bookcase: Downloadable Woodworking Plan
publisher: Meredith Corporation, published: 2006-09-01
ASIN: B00286R04I
sales rank: 1186687
price: $8.95 (new)
Standing fully 7′ tall, with six shelves (five of which adjust on standards and brackets), this stately walnut showcase has more than enough room for a librarian’s ransom in books. Fluted face-frame stiles and rich cove molding at the top make it a natural for traditionally styled interiors. The bookcase is approximately 42″ wide, 16″ deep, and 7′ tall.
About WOOD Magazine downloadable plans
Note: This is a downloadable woodworking plan. All other materials must be purchased separately.
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Barrister’s Bookcase: Downloadable Woodworking Plan
publisher: Meredith Corporation, published: 2003-06-01
ASIN: B00286QYQ8
sales rank: 102494
price: $5.95 (new)
This early example of modular office furniture still makes it case.
You may stack the modular bookshelf units up to five high. With only two units your barrister’s bookcase does double duty as a sideboard or hall table.
Each unit measures approximately 15″ high, 36-1/4″ wide and 13-1/2″ deep. Three units shown.
About WOOD Magazine downloadable plans
Note: This is a downloadable woodworking plan. All other materials must be purchased separately.
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Corner Bookshelf Plans (Woodworking Plan)
publisher: Woodcraft Supply
ASIN: B0048DNX5O
sales rank: 386249
price: $10.00 (new)
Customize your home with this corner bookcase unit. Great as a stand alone or expand your corner desk with added shelving and storage. All joinery is shown in actual size, curved workpieces are all in full size and you can measure and trace straight from the drawing. A bill of materials doubles as an exact cutting list, there is a detailed exploded diagram, and all hardware requirements are provided.
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Knock Down Bookcase Plan (Woodworking Plan)
publisher: Woodcraft Supply
ASIN: B00491HUFE
sales rank: 342082
price: $14.00 (new)
This book shelf plan helps you build without using any permanent joinery or hardware so it “knocks-down” for easy moving and storage. Not to worry because it is very sturdy. The plans you receive have large format measured drawings, a materials list and a super-detailed photo instruction booklet. The shelves rest on dowels in the end frames, making the whole unit easy to disassemble by lifting the shelves off the end frames. A few woodworking tricks described in the booklet will sturdy the unit right up and keep the shelves from bowing under the weight of books.
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Tags: Affordable Bookshelf Plans, Bookshelf Plans, Simple And Affordable Bookshelf Plans, Woodworking