How To Create Your Own Book Ledge

A great way to display your books  and save space especially and in a small room like a nursery is to create book ledges. Building and installing your own book ledge at about $13 a shelf, so this project is more than economical. All you need to make the shelf  are pine boards, wood screws and small trim nails  and probably a friend to help you out.

[caption id="attachment_8020" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Create These Simple Budget Friendly Book Ledges This Weekend "][/caption]

Tips & Tricks from the Lumberjack Himself:

• Make your shelves the same length as standard boards (they come in 6′, 8′, 10′, 12′). Not having to cut the pieces saves a lot of time and waste.
• When attaching the 1x2s to the 1×3: use clamps to hold the boards together while you screw/nail. Move the clamps with you as you move down the board. It will take out any warp in the boards.
• Countersink the nails and fill the holes with spackle or wood filler. This will give your front a smooth finish.
• Sand with heavy grit (we used 60) first and then 220. You can also use the 220 after priming.
• Because the back piece is short I had to drill at an angle to attach the shelf to the wall (the front edge got in the way of the drill/screwdriver). If you don’t want to do this, simply use a taller, 1×3 board for the back, instead of a 1×2.
• If using the angle method to attach to the wall: At an angle, drill through the board and the wall with a long enough bit for the length of screws you’re using. Countersink at the same angle and insert the screw.
• When hanging: If you space the screws at 16″ to match the wall studs then you won’t need anchors.
• Dab some paint over the screw heads to help hide them. (The books will cover them, too, so they won’t be too noticeable.)

Get other great do it yourself tips from The Harpster Home