I know there are a million and one tutorials for Forward Facing Bookshelves but I’ve been sitting on this tutorial for a year now and it seems like such a waste not to add it to the blog so here goes! Also, I should probably add the disclaimer that while the idea to put bookshelves in the wasted space behind the door was mine, my husband actually was the one who designed and fabricated them. A word of caution, though. These are more than sturdy enough for even large books but like most floating shelves, will pull right out if your monkey child decides to climb them. Just letting you know.
One more thing, in an effort to seem more realistic, I added a huge, heaping pile of dust and dirt in the corner just before I took the picture above. What? Who, me? I would never have dirty baseboards! 😉
Forward Facing Bookshelves
Materials:
– aluminum track
– baseboard (one with grooves so that the books will catch)
– screws
– saw
– drill
– tacks
– hammer
Instructions:
1. Cut aluminum track and baseboard to desired length.
2. Locate studs or insert wall anchors.
3. Mark aluminum track for screws or wall anchors and pre-drill holes.
4. Mount track to wall.
5. Align moulding and mark screw head locations for notches.
6. Cut notches in moulding.
7. Insert notched baseboard moulding into aluminum track.
8. Drill pilot holes for tacks.
9. Insert tacks to secure moulding.
10. Repeat all processes until desired number of shelves is achieved, fill with wonderful books that your child can reach all by himself!
Adriana says
7 January 2012 at 6:16 amlove love love!
bumblev says
24 January 2012 at 2:46 amYou’ll have to make more when you move!
jackie says
18 January 2012 at 9:25 pmThis is brilliant. Love that it’s hidden behind the door too! I’m a huge fan of books, but not so crazy about visual clutter, so this is the best of both worlds for me!
bumblev says
24 January 2012 at 2:48 amI’m a bit of a freak about buying books for Jack too! He’s got books all around the house but this is where we keep rotating the most popular.
Jay says
23 January 2012 at 11:56 pmLove the shelves and LOVE that t-shirt! Where did you get it!!
bumblev says
24 January 2012 at 2:50 amI got the tee from As Small As Me on Etsy. Lovely store!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91268424/read-to-me-organic-t-shirt-or-onesie?utm_source=OpenGraph&utm_medium=ConnectedShop&utm_campaign=Share
Emily says
24 January 2012 at 12:15 amGreat idea – thanks for sharing. I’ll have to go investigate what aluminum tracks are available at our local hardware store. My child is 10, but usually has a handful of books going at any given time, this would be a great way to store the “current” books without the big stacks all over the place or the frantic looking for the one currently being read 🙂
bumblev says
24 January 2012 at 2:51 amThat’s exactly what we do and it’s worked wonderfully so far!
Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily says
31 January 2012 at 12:56 amPerfect! I can do this! Thx for sharing!!
bumblev says
11 February 2012 at 2:18 amNo problem, hope you enjoy them!
Marvilla says
1 February 2012 at 10:36 pmi love these! they make a room look awesome. i am putting mine in right now. i got the RIBBA picture ledges at ikea. they are precut, you just have to screw them in. probably more expensive but they are so nice and so easy. thanks for the tips. i wanted to space out how many to use
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=ledge
bumblev says
11 February 2012 at 2:19 amGreat option as well, Marvilla!
Loren Warren says
2 March 2012 at 12:31 amThis is such a great idea! Thank you for the awesome step by step directions! I can’t wait to do this in my granddaughters room!
kristen says
26 April 2012 at 2:11 pmi am having a tough time finding these aluminum track, where did you find them? would lowes or home depot have them if so what department… i see the shelfs are made out of some kind of hard wood floor. I just love it, such a great idea!!!!!!! x1,000 !!! LOL thank you for sharing
James says
20 December 2013 at 5:14 pmI am having the same trouble with finding these aluminum tracks. HomeDepot near me did not have them. I was shocked. I hope to find them soon, since my sons book collection is stacking higher and higher. We love building towers, but these shelves look so clean. Thanks!
Vanessa Brady says
27 December 2013 at 6:40 amWe found them in the hardware section of The Home Depot near the screws and door handles. Hope that helps!
Stacie @ Hometwon Perch says
21 February 2013 at 1:10 pmI love these! I just might need to make some for an empty loft space that is between my girls’ rooms.
Beth @ Whole New Leaf says
24 February 2013 at 12:01 amLove this idea. What a great way to display/store children’s books and use that wasted space! I also love your gears on the walls, is there a post about that somewhere?
Vanessa Brady says
25 February 2013 at 5:59 amI wish there was, Beth, but we painted those just days before my son arrived and didn’t take any pictures of the process. 🙁 Glad you like them though!
Kristy (Robb Restyle} says
31 January 2014 at 2:34 pmWell done! I love how you tucked them behind a door. I’ve seen the gutter version, but I much prefer using wood trim as you have here! Visiting you from the remodelaholics feature!
B Hall says
2 February 2016 at 7:35 amHow do you keep the books from sliding off?