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    Home » Tips & Tricks » Organization

    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Book Shelves for Kids

    Published: Jan 29, 2021 by Heidi Fowler. This post may contain affiliate links 34 Comments

    Clean up the mess in your kids' beds with these DIY Forward-Facing Bookshelves {OneCreativeMommy.com} #bookshelvesforkids

    Ready for a DIY project to organize the junk that collects on your kids' beds?  This step-by-step Bunk Bed Bookshelf Tutorial will have you cleaned up in no time! If you've been looking for bookshelves for kids, you've come to the right place.


    Books instead of a teddy bear!

    I have heard that some kids sleep with teddy bears.  Mine sleep with books!  They love to read in bed, but they don't love to put the books away.  As a result, books get smashed and bent up, and sometimes I wonder how the kids even find room to sleep!  When you combine that with stuffed animals, things can get pretty crazy.  When we got bunk beds, I decided it was time for things to change.

    Thanks to great tutorials all over the web, my dad (who helped me build), and my hubby (who helped me put the shelves up), I created this solution:

    Forward-facing, pocket-style bookshelves for kids bunk beds

    (You could easily adapt these for any wall or bed.)

    Materials:

    • Enough 1x4 boards to fit the length of your desired shelf/shelves (used for the back of the shelves)
    • The same length of 1x3 boards (used for the bottom of the shelves)
    • The same length of wood trim (or 1x2 boards) for the front of the shelves.  You will need 4 extra inches to cap off the sides of each shelf.   (That's 8 extra inches for the L-shaped shelf, and 8 extra inches for each additional shelf you build.)  I used something like this (I thought the left side would make the front look cute for a girls' room):

    House of Fara
    ¾ in. x 3-¼ in. x 8 ft. MDF Flute Casing

    I got mine from the scrap pile at Habitat for Humanity Restore.  I did have to buy one large piece for the long wall from a hardware store, but I was able to use scraps for the other pieces.  (The scraps cost me $.20!)

    • Hammer and finishing nails
    • Wood glue
    • Saw and miter box
    • A helper is nice, but it is possible to do this by yourself.  (I made the small shelf alone.)
    • For finishing--caulk, wood filler, sandpaper, primer and paint

    I have tons of pictures, but they are all taken in my dark kitchen with my dark counter top.  Sorry!  That's my work station.  Hopefully, the diagrams will help.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    Using the miter box and saw, cut your boards to the desired size.  Pictures start after this step.  Start with one shelf and then move onto the next.  I am starting with the short half of the L-shaped shelf.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    1. Lay your pieces out like the diagram so that you can tell where to put the glue!
    2. Spread a bead of wood glue on the bottom inside edge of the 1x4 and the small edge of the 1x3.
    3. Put the pieces together and nail into place.  If your boards are long, it really helps to have a helper.  Unless you're better at this than I am--which you probably are--the glue will likely run all over.  Use a damp paper towel or cloth to wipe it off as you go.
    4. Nail down the entire length of the boards--making sure place a nail in each corner.
    5. (Not pictured)  Use a sharp screw or countersinking tool to hammer the nail below the surface of the wood.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    1. Spread a bead of glue across the bottom inside edge of whatever wood you choose for the front of the shelf, and spread another across the remaining short side of the bottom 1x3.
    2. Put the pieces together, hold them firmly, and wipe away access glue.
    3. Nail the trim or 1x3 into place.

    Repeat these steps with the boards for the long piece of the L-shape.

    Now it's time miter the edges so that the pieces will meet in the corner and finish off the edges.

    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    Once you have finished both pieces, lay them out in the L-shape and mark the ends that meet to form the corner of the L.  (You will cut those edges at a 45 degree angle so that they will create a nice corner.  You may want to lightly draw a line in the direction of your cut so that you don't make a mistake.  (*Warning!  Your walls might not be square.  If you are really good at this stuff and know how to match the angel of the wall to the angle of the wood--you are much more skilled than I am.  My husband and I made our own fix that I will show you later.)


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    1. Using a saw and miter box (or if you're really lucky, a real miter saw), cut the edges you marked at a 45 degree angle.  (Make sure you have the direction of the angle right before you cut!)  *Warning!  This shelf is too tall for most miter boxes.  You will have to get creative to make the cut all of the way through.  It is possible, though!
    2. Check to make sure you mitered the corners correctly.
    3. Measure the depth of your shelf and cut scraps of trim or 1x3 to cap the ends.
    4. Following the same directions as before, glue and nail the pieces to the outside ends of the shelves, and countersink the nails (pictured).  If you are using wood trim, be very gentle when you nail the two pieces of trim together.  They split easily.  (If they split, just fix the split with wood glue and clamp them together to dry.)
    5. Finished edges should look something like the picture.

    It's time to finish and put up the shelves!  *Important!  When you mount the shelves on the wall above the top bunk, the bottom of the shelf should be at least 14 inches above the bed railing to avoid bumped heads!  (This shelf is deeper than the shelf for the bottom bunk.)

    • Fill in nail holes with wood filler, let it dry and sand.
    • Prime and paint.
    •  Attach shelves to the wall with 3" screws into the studs.
    • If your walls are not square, purchase a small metal plate and some paintable caulk to fill the hole.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    If you can't get the pieces to meet in the center, trim off part of the back corner of one shelf.  Screw the plate into the corner to even up the two shelves.  Fill the hole with caulk.  Prime and paint the metal plate, screws and caulk.

    You are done!  Stand back and enjoy.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    Now try a shelf for the bottom bunk.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization (Bottom Bunk Diagram)

    Since this shelf will be right above your child's head, make it as narrow as possible.  (See the diagram.)  This is as narrow as I could make it and still have enough room to hold books.


    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    My girls love these shelves, and their beds are so much cleaner!  (If only the shelves would help them put away their clothes!)

    Thanks Dad and Steve for helping me finish this project!

    DIY Pocket/Front-Facing Bookshelves for Bunk Beds {OneCreativeMommy.com}  Keep the books off the floor and right where the kids can find them!  #bookshelf #organization

    I'd love to see what you make with this tutorial.  I hope it's helpful to you!  If you like this idea, please "like it," "pin it," "google+ it," or share it in some way so that others can enjoy it too.  I'd also love it if you followed my site in some way.  Thanks for visiting.

    These shelves (and the bed) have had a makeover! Check out the new look:

    Getting ready to give your furniture a makeover? Check out these tips to learn how to paint furniture like a pro! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Furniture Painting Tips {Dark paint to white}

    Want to read about the changes? Check out the posts by clicking on the images below:

    I love how she turned an annoying bunk bed into a fun bunk bed fort for her daughter! I have to try this. {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Getting ready to give your furniture a makeover? Check out these tips to learn how to paint furniture like a pro! {OneCreativeMommy.com} Furniture Painting Tips {Dark paint to white}

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Steph @ Crafting in the Rain

      September 28, 2012 at 7:51 pm

      I've made some similar to these...but there's not as long, and they're just white. Yours totally rock!

      Reply
    2. Caren

      September 29, 2012 at 7:28 am

      Love, love, love this! You can never have too many bookshelves.

      Thank you so much for linking up to the Smart Solutions Party!

      Reply
    3. Monica

      October 01, 2012 at 12:47 am

      These are beautiful. I want some for my room!

      Reply
    4. [email protected] Off Friday

      October 01, 2012 at 11:27 am

      That is a great idea! Our kids love books and we can never have too many shelves.

      Reply
    5. Rebekah

      October 02, 2012 at 5:37 am

      Those are fantastic....I totally want some for my daughters' room.

      Reply
    6. Claire @ The Rustic Pig

      October 02, 2012 at 1:13 pm

      WOW! So fun!!! My boys would LOVE this!!! Thanks so much for linking up at The Rustic Pig's Creatively Tuesdays! Hugs!!

      Reply
    7. Christine

      October 03, 2012 at 4:29 am

      This is just fabulous. My daughters always sleep with a bunch of stuff on them. Great solution!

      Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

      Reply
    8. Jessi @ Practically Functional

      October 03, 2012 at 3:27 pm

      Those are great, so useful and simple! And great tutorial. Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

      Reply
      • Jessi @ Practically Functional

        October 10, 2012 at 7:51 am

        I'm just stopping by to let you know I featured this today on my blog! Congrats! You can check out the feature and grab a brand new Featured button here: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/10/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-20/

        Reply
    9. Jen

      October 03, 2012 at 7:51 pm

      Cute! I did something similar with my boys beds and love it. They need a place for their "junk"!

      Reply
    10. Susie at Earning-My-Cape

      October 04, 2012 at 3:02 pm

      Those are great! Hee hee... my kids sleep with books too!

      Reply
    11. Jill

      October 04, 2012 at 4:07 pm

      Great bookshelves! My kids used to sleep under their books too - great piles of them all over the beds! I ended up making hanging fabric pockets for theirs!

      Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
      Hope you have a fabulous week!
      Jill @ Creating my way to Success
      http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    12. Carrie

      October 04, 2012 at 7:30 pm

      What a great idea!! I love it!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

      Reply
    13. Evelyn

      October 04, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      Guess who is being featured at Freedom Fridays Blog Hop this week??? I’m not telling:) Lol

      Reply
    14. Christa

      October 05, 2012 at 6:36 am

      My girls, ages 2 and 8 also love to sleep with books. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    15. Kathie

      October 05, 2012 at 8:26 pm

      Now, this is a smart idea. My girls accumulate books, papers, & all sorts of art supplies. They have separate twin beds but the shelf by the bed would still work. Thanks for sharing the tutorial at Gettin' Krafty With It!

      Reply
    16. andiejaye

      October 06, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      those turned out great! i love the detail on the trim you used! cute that the lower bunk got on too! thanks for linking up to tip-toe thru tuesday!

      Reply
    17. Kathryn Griffin

      October 07, 2012 at 11:39 am

      How fantastic! Thank you for sharing this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see your prettiness again on Monday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

      Reply
    18. K @ Claiming Our Space

      October 08, 2012 at 11:05 am

      I swear I need some of these above my bed. :-) I can't tell you the number of times I have woken up with my face pressed into a book. Thanks for sharing on Tout It Tuesday! Hope to see you tomorrow.

      Reply
    19. Ewa

      October 08, 2012 at 4:00 pm

      the bookshelf looks great! and that photo with a little one sleeping is so sute!

      Reply
    20. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      October 08, 2012 at 6:48 pm

      What an awesome project and a fabulous tutorial!

      Reply
    21. Evelyn

      October 11, 2012 at 9:21 am

      I shared this post on Facebook, pinterest and twitter today:) Thank you for sharing at Freedom Fridays!

      Reply
    22. Gina

      May 31, 2013 at 6:18 am

      I love this! My girls sleep with books too. Love that picture of your girl and her books! So sweet. :)

      Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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