Bedside Shelf

Dimensions

Cut list

Tools you'll need

• ✓

  Measuring tape (5m or longer)

  Used for measuring all parts.

• ✓

  Pencil and carpenter's square

  For marking lines and checking right angles.

• ✓

  Saw

  Recommended to use home center cutting service.

• ✓

  Electric driver

  Using an impact driver improves work efficiency.

• ✓

  Sandpaper

  Prepare #120 and #240 grit types.

• ✓

  Level

  Essential for checking horizontality during assembly.

• ✓

  Clamps (2 or more)

  Used for temporary fixation during joining.

• ✓

  Brush and paint tray

  Used for oil and varnish finishing.

Materials

Build steps

1. 1

   Final confirmation of materials and tools

   ≈ 15 min

   Prepare two side boards of SPF lumber 1x8 (19×200×600mm), six shelf boards (19×200×300mm), one 4mm plywood back panel (300×300mm), sixteen 38mm coarse-thread screws, and four 50mm L-shaped brackets. Tools include electric driver, saw, measuring tape, carpenter's square, #120 and #240 sandpaper, level, two F-type clamps, brush and paint tray, stapler or fine nails.

   Measure

   W 300 mm

   MeasureSTEP 1 / 20

   Tip

   • SPF lumber tends to warp. Check each board visually when purchasing, choose those with warping under 1mm.
   • L-shaped brackets and screws are essential 'lifelines' for anti-tip prevention. Never omit.

   Watch out

   • Confirm warp, cracks, and knots for each SPF board before purchase. Using boards warped over 1mm will distort shelf boards.
   • The 4mm plywood back panel is thin and fragile when moving. Store upright immediately after cutting.
2. 2

   Securing workspace

   ≈ 10 min

   Secure a workspace where the 600mm high bookshelf can be assembled standing. Ceiling height above 2200mm and floor space around 1500×1200mm is comfortable. Lay a blue sheet and support long boards on two sawhorses.

   Inspect

   No wobble ✓

   InspectSTEP 2 / 20

   Tip

   • Assembly is done lying flat on the floor; standing up is the final step. Possible even in small rooms.

   Watch out

   • It is hard for one person to stand the assembled bookshelf. Two persons are safer.
   • If ceiling height is under 2000mm, the bookshelf will hit the ceiling when standing up; verify before assembly.
3. 3

   Creating cut list and requesting cuts

   ≈ 20 min

   Submit cut list to home center: two side boards (600mm), six shelf boards (300mm), and one back panel (300×300mm). If cutting yourself, support the 600mm long pieces on two sawhorses and use a push cut. Aim for cutting accuracy within ±2mm.

   Cut

   Use the in-store cut service

   CutSTEP 3 / 20

   Tip

   • Cutting fee is around 30-50 yen per cut. Full service costs about 1000 yen but saves 30 minutes versus self-cutting.
   • Shelf boards are all the same size; bundling them for one cut improves accuracy.

   Watch out

   • 19mm thick SPF lumber warps easily even with straight cuts. Use guides to ensure straight cutting.
   • 4mm plywood is soft and can warp upwards if unsupported during cutting.
4. 4

   Sanding all materials (#120 to #240)

   ≈ 40 min

   Sand all parts starting with #120 grit, then finish with #240 grit. Pay special attention to the shelf support surfaces on side boards, upper and lower surfaces of shelf boards, and the cut edges (end grain). Round the edges of shelves slightly to improve handling. After sanding, vacuum all sawdust completely.

   Sand

   #120

   SandSTEP 4 / 20

   Tip

   • Smooth shelf board surfaces improve smoothness of book insertion and removal.
   • End grain fibers raise after cutting; start sanding with #120 grit carefully.

   Watch out

   • SPF is soft; excessive sanding causes dimension inaccuracies. Use #120 grit mainly, with #240 only for finishing.
   • Over-rounding corners creates a bulky look; limit rounding to roughly 2mm radius.
5. 5

   Marking shelf positions on side boards

   ≈ 15 min

   Place two side boards together and mark shelf board fixing positions with pencil. For six shelves, mark intervals of 300mm each from bottom upwards (total 1800mm) or design with wider spacing at the top for display. Clamp the two side boards together and mark both simultaneously to ensure perfect alignment.

   Mark a line

   Use a try square

   MarkSTEP 5 / 20

   Tip

   • Clamping two side boards together before marking ensures matched shelf positions.
   • Use heights of A4 (297mm), A5 (210mm), and bunko (150mm) books as references when deciding shelf spacing for easy storage.

   Watch out

   • Misaligned shelf positions cause tilted shelves. Must clamp and mark simultaneously.
   • Forgot to account for 19mm shelf thickness when calculating spacing will result in smaller actual spacing.
6. 6

   Preparing pilot holes

   ≈ 20 min

   Drill 3mm diameter pilot holes at marked positions. Drill from the outside of the side board into the shelf board end grain, passing through the side board (19mm) and entering the shelf board 10mm deep (total 29mm). Use masking tape to mark drill depth.

   Drill a hole

   下穴 φ3.5mm

   DrillSTEP 6 / 20

   Tip

   • 3mm pilot hole diameter is 70% of the 4.2mm coarse-thread screw shaft diameter, effectively preventing splitting.
   • For each shelf board, drill two pilot holes on each side board (6 shelves × 4 screws = 24 holes). Check to avoid omissions.

   Watch out

   • Insufficient pilot hole depth prevents screws from fully seating; drill a bit deeper for assurance.
   • Avoid drilling through the shelf board's opposite side by setting depth stops with tape.
7. 7

   Temporarily fixing shelf boards on one side board

   ≈ 20 min

   Lay one side board flat and stand the six shelf boards vertically aligned to their marked positions. Temporarily clamp using F-type clamps and verify right angles between side board and shelf boards with a carpenter's square. Where the square cannot fit, visually check alignment.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 7 / 20

   Tip

   • Assemble shelves from the bottom up for stability.
   • One clamp per shelf board is ideal; having six clamps eases work. Otherwise, use two clamps sequentially.

   Watch out

   • Fixing shelves at incorrect angles results in a parallelogram assembly. Always confirm with carpenter's square.
   • Shelf boards protruding beyond side board edges prevent back panel installation later.
8. 8

   Screwing on one side

   ≈ 15 min

   Drive the 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes from the side board outside into shelf board end grain. Use two screws per location, two per shelf board side, totaling 12 screws for six shelves. Screw heads should be flush or sunk up to 0.5mm below side board surface. Set impact driver's torque medium and finish tightening by hand a quarter turn.

   Drive screws

   コーススレッド 51mm

   ScrewSTEP 8 / 20

   Tip

   • Offset the two screws slightly up and down for better withdrawal strength.
   • If screw heads are visible, optionally fill holes with wood dowels later.

   Watch out

   • Over-tightening causes cracks in 19mm thick SPF end grain; use medium torque settings.
   • If screws go in crooked and protrude the other side, remove, fill with wood filler, and re-screw in a different spot.
9. 9

   Preparing to attach opposite side board

   ≈ 15 min

   Stand the assembly with shelf boards fixed on one side. Position the other side board on the opposite shelf board ends, aligning to marked lines, and clamp temporarily. Confirm right angles while the whole assembly stands upright.

   Build the frame

   Check for square

   AssembleSTEP 9 / 20

   Tip

   • Two-person operation is recommended: one to hold, one to clamp, ensuring accuracy.
   • Opposite side board markings are already finished; do not re-mark.

   Watch out

   • One-person attempts may cause shelf boards to fall and damage. Always use two people or support against a wall.
10. 10

    Screwing on opposite side

    ≈ 15 min

    Drive 38mm coarse-thread screws through pilot holes on the opposite side board outside into shelf board end grain. Use two screws per location, two per shelf, totaling 12 screws. This completes fastening both side boards and six shelves, forming the main bookshelf structure.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 10 / 20

    Tip

    • After fixing both sides, check all shelves with a level. If any are tilted, loosen screws and adjust.
    • Do not drive screws on both sides simultaneously; complete all on one side first, then the other.

    Watch out

    • Simultaneous screwing may distort the assembly. Follow one side completely before the other.
11. 11

    Overall level and diagonal check

    ≈ 15 min

    Place the assembled bookshelf on the floor. Use a level to verify shelf horizontality. Measure diagonals (top-left to bottom-right and top-right to bottom-left) with a measuring tape, confirming a difference within 5mm. If skewed, loosen clamps to adjust and fix with additional screws.

    Check level

    Level ✓

    LevelSTEP 11 / 20

    Tip

    • Diagonal difference over 5mm indicates a parallelogram. Correct before attaching back panel.
    • Bookshelf rigidity improves significantly once back panel is installed. Fix deformation before that.

    Watch out

    • Shelf sagging (center going down) worsens under book weight. For 600mm shelf length design, this is acceptable; over 1000mm consider reinforcement.
12. 12

    Preparing to attach back panel

    ≈ 10 min

    Place the 4mm plywood back panel (300×300mm) onto the bookshelf back, aligning corners and verifying diagonal correspondence to correct any assembly skew. Lightly tape the back panel to the frame for temporary fixation.

    Build the frame

    Check for square

    AssembleSTEP 12 / 20

    Tip

    • Back panel is critical for reducing assembly skew. Installing crooked reduces rigidity.
    • 4mm plywood back panel can be fixed quickly with a stapler. Use pilot holes if fine nails are preferred.

    Watch out

    • Trim any back panel parts protruding beyond bookshelf edges. If smaller than frame, keep gaps within 5mm evenly distributed.
13. 13

    Attaching back panel with stapler

    ≈ 20 min

    Attach the back panel to side and shelf boards using a stapler (about 15mm staples) or fine nails. Apply staples/nails every 100-150mm around the perimeter and along shelf locations. Start stapling from corners and proceed diagonally to minimize distortion.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 13 / 20

    Tip

    • Stapler costs 1500-2500 yen at home center and is faster than nails; worthwhile investment for bookshelf making.
    • Mark shelf positions on back panel with pencil before stapling to avoid missing shelf fastening points.

    Watch out

    • Staple tips protruding inside may damage books; 15mm staples are suitable for 19mm thickness.
    • Stapling only edges and shelf lines prevents back panel sagging.
14. 14

    Preparing to attach L-shaped brackets

    ≈ 15 min

    Prepare four 50mm L-shaped brackets: two on each side at the rear upper corners. Attach one side to bookshelf top edges and the other side for wall mounting. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 14 / 20

    Tip

    • Cheap stud finders from 100-yen stores have low accuracy; better to use 1000-2000 yen versions from home centers.
    • Studs normally spaced at 455mm intervals. After locating one, easier to estimate neighbors.

    Watch out

    • If wall is just drywall without studs, screws won’t hold and anti-tip fails.
    • If bracket locations don’t align with studs, adjust sides to ensure screws hit center of studs.
15. 15

    Attaching L-shaped brackets to bookshelf

    ≈ 10 min

    Fix four L-shaped brackets to bookshelf upper side board external sides with 38mm coarse-thread screws through bracket holes. Fix brackets flush or with up to 5mm gap, projecting perpendicular to the wall side.

    Drive screws

    コーススレッド 51mm

    ScrewSTEP 15 / 20

    Tip

    • Attach brackets so the bent portion faces wall, and screw holes face bookshelf side.
    • Use a level to ensure brackets are not installed crooked.

    Watch out

    • Slanted bracket installation causes gaps against the wall when mounted.
16. 16

    Bookshelf installation and wall fixing

    ≈ 20 min

    Move bookshelf to target location with two persons recommended. Place flush against the wall and drive 45-50mm coarse-thread screws (included or separate) through bracket wall side holes into wall studs at all four points. Complete fixation to prevent tipping.

    Fix to the wall

    Anchor to studs

    Wall mountSTEP 16 / 20

    Tip

    • Wall screws must be longer than 38mm to reach studs; use 45-50mm screws.
    • Fixing to wall is the most crucial step to prevent tipping during earthquakes causing injury or death; don't skip this.

    Watch out

    • Drywall anchors alone are insufficient for strength; always screw into studs.
    • If gaps over 5mm exist between wall and bookshelf, insert shims before fixing; mounting while gapped disables bracket effectiveness.
17. 17

    Cleaning before finishing

    ≈ 10 min

    Clean entire bookshelf thoroughly with vacuum and dry cloth to remove all sawdust, oils, and fingerprints. Finish quality depends heavily on cleaning before painting. Optionally mask plywood back panel as it absorbs paint quickly.

    Inspect

    No wobble ✓

    InspectSTEP 17 / 20

    Tip

    • Cleaning with three-step wiping: dry wipe, wet wipe, dry wipe for perfect cleanliness.

    Watch out

    • Remaining sawdust causes rough finish. Inspect under bright light.
18. 18

    First oil stain application

    ≈ 40 min

    Apply oil stain (such as Watco Oil or Kinura) with a brush evenly over the bookshelf in order: outside of side boards, shelf board tops, shelf board undersides, then back panel. After 10-15 minutes, wipe off excess with a dry cloth. First application uses about 60-70% of total oil.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 18 / 20

    Tip

    • Oil stain application sequence is brush on, wait 10-15 minutes, then wipe off excess to prevent stickiness.
    • Use 30-50mm wide brush to reach details without being oversized.

    Watch out

    • If wiping is skipped, surfaces remain sticky for over a week.
    • Plywood back panel absorbs quickly and unevenly; apply thinly and wipe carefully.
19. 19

    Second oil stain application

    ≈ 25 min

    After 24 hours drying, apply second coat of oil stain with about one-third to one-half of the first coat amount. Also wipe off excess. Two coats deepen color and improve protection. Allow 24-48 hours for full drying.

    Paint

    Watco oil / varnish

    PaintSTEP 19 / 20

    Tip

    • Second coat corrects uneven color from first coat; apply thin and evenly.
    • Third coat can be added for deeper color if desired.

    Watch out

    • Do not skip wiping off excess for the second coat to avoid unevenness.
    • Keep indoors during drying to avoid dust or insects sticking.
20. 20

    Completion, start use, and inspection

    ≈ 15 min

    After complete oil drying (48 hours), arrange books and begin use. Place heavy books on lower shelves and lighter books on upper shelves for stability. After one week, recheck screws and L-bracket fixation, and retighten as needed.

    Done!

    Done — nice work!

    DoneSTEP 20 / 20

    Tip

    • Concentrate heavy books (encyclopedias etc.) on bottom two shelves. Use paperback and general books on upper shelves to reduce weight.
    • Reapply oil every 3-5 years to restore gloss and protection.

    Watch out

    • Placing books immediately can cause oil to transfer. Wait at least 48 hours before loading.
    • Books absorb moisture, so place dehumidifiers during humid seasons; moisture may cause warping.

Warnings

• ⚠️Drill pilot holes before driving screws to prevent wood splitting.

Find more blueprints in this category or store