Kitchen Bookshelf

We needed a bookshelf in our kitchen for a few things: cookbooks, a place to stash Sarah's purse, and our weekly pile of library books (in various states of being read). This one I built fills the bill.

As usual, I started with a rough hand-drawn plan in my shop notebook. I really enjoy doing this because it allows me to go at my own pace and picture what I want to do. It's quite easy, especially with something as simple as a bookshelf. I usually start by just writing down and drawing the dimensions that define the limits of the design. Then, after thinking about it for a while, I draw what I want with measurements and refine them. I'm not sure you can see it in this photo, but I did some "research" on other shelves that I built or that we bought to get a feel for the sizes that we'd need.

I used two 8' 1x10s. I bought the good stuff, which was unnecessary since I painted it but it was nice to work with. Check out that nice bench!

Parts cut out, pre-drilled and labeled

Test assembly

Partially assembled

Screw holes filled and ready for sanding

Just checking that it fit where we want it

Glueing on the back

Sanded and ready for priming

Last coat of paint on

I really enjoyed this project even though the heat index was 105 degrees on the weekend I built it. I got into a nice flow state and things went quite smoothly.

Doing the project helps me figure out how I want the shop to be laid out and gave me some ideas on a couple tool upgrades.