What You Need

  • 18mm MDF, plywood or pine board (most hardware stores cut to size for a small fee)
  • Wood screws (50mm for most joins)
  • PVA wood glue
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Countersink bit
  • Tape measure, pencil and set square
  • Sandpaper (120-grit and 180-grit)
  • Paint or stain
  • Optional: shelf pins and a shelf pin drill guide for adjustable shelves

Dimensions for a Basic Bookshelf

A standard bookshelf is 900mm tall, 300mm deep and 800mm wide. Adjust these to suit your space. Write down your dimensions before buying timber — and have the hardware store cut the timber to size if possible, it is faster and more accurate than cutting at home.

Step-by-Step Construction

  1. 1

    Cut or collect your pieces

    You need: 2 side panels (full height of the unit), 1 top panel, 1 bottom panel, and however many intermediate shelves you want. If the hardware store cut them, check each piece is square before using.

  2. 2

    Mark shelf positions on the side panels

    Lay both side panels together and mark the shelf positions on both simultaneously with a set square — this ensures shelves are level. Mark where screws will go (2 screws per shelf end, about 3cm from the front and back edges).

  3. 3

    Drill pilot holes and countersinks

    Drill pilot holes at your marks — slightly smaller than your screw diameter. Use a countersink bit so screw heads sit flush or below the surface for a clean finish.

  4. 4

    Assemble with glue and screws

    Apply PVA glue to the shelf ends before joining. Drive screws through the side panel into the shelf ends. Check each shelf is perfectly level (spirit level) before the glue dries. Start with the bottom shelf, then top, then intermediate shelves.

  5. 5

    Add a back panel

    A 3–6mm plywood or hardboard back panel, glued and nailed or stapled into a rebate at the back edge, adds enormous rigidity and prevents the unit from racking sideways. Without a back, even a well-built shelf will wobble. Alternatively, fix the unit to the wall.

  6. 6

    Sand and finish

    Sand all surfaces with 120-grit then 180-grit sandpaper. Fill screw holes with wood filler, sand flush when dry. Apply primer then paint, or stain and varnish for a natural wood look.

Fix to the wallAny bookshelf over 900mm tall should be fixed to the wall with an anti-tip strap or L-bracket. An unanchored bookshelf loaded with books is a tip-over hazard, especially in households with children.

Frequently Asked Questions

MDF (medium density fibreboard) is the cheapest and easiest to paint to a smooth finish — it is the standard for budget furniture. Pine is natural, takes stain well and is stronger than MDF. Plywood is very strong and stable — best for shelves carrying heavy loads. Hardwoods (oak, maple) are beautiful but expensive and harder to work with.
An 18mm MDF shelf spanning 800mm can hold approximately 20–30kg before sagging becomes noticeable. For very heavy books or large spans, use 25mm board, add a front edge lip for stiffness, or use solid timber. The screwed joins into side panels also contribute to load capacity.