2020-03-01_Do_It_Yourself

BHG.COM/DIYMAGAZINE

MATERIALS

• 1×2 boards (Poplar if painting; pine or oak if staining.
  You’ll need 301/2 feet for a 51/2-foot shelf unit.)


• 1×10 board (You’ll need 101/2 feet.)


• 3/4-inch square dowels


• Measuring tape


• Saw


• Sanding block or sander


• Wood glue


• Pin nails and nailer


• Two 2×13/8-inch hinges


• Square


• Paint and primer (or stain and sealer)


• Paintbrush

Step 1 Cut the wood as specified in the cut list, below right,

and lightly sand to smooth rough edges.

Step 2 On a flat surface, arrange two of the 1× 2 ×69-inch pieces

parallel to each other, with the narrow sides facing up. Mark

each piece at the following measurements from the bottom:

171/4 inches, 18 inches, 281/4 inches, 29 inches, 391/4 inches,

40 inches, 501/4 inches, 51 inches, 621/4 inches, and 63 inches.

Step 3 Place five rungs between the two frame pieces,

matching them with the five pairs of measured marks.

Glue and nail the rungs between the two 69-inch lengths

and allow the glue to dry.

Step 4 Repeat steps 2 and 3 with the two remaining 69-inch

lengths to create the second side of the ladder.

Step 5 Stack the ladder sides on top of the other, and screw

hinges to the top to form the A-frame.

Step 6 Put the bottom shelf on a flat surface and arrange

the two cleats parallel to each other, 1 inch from either end.

Secure using glue and pin nails.

Step 7 Paint or stain the unit.

Step 8 When dry, stand the ladder upright and set the bottom

shelf on the bottom rungs with the cleats resting just outside

the rungs to secure the legs. Set the other shelves in place.

LADDER SHELF

MAKE IT

STEP BY STEP Ideal

for any space in which

you want height, this

ladder-style étagère is

both decorative and

utilitarian, this photo.

Flank a sofa with a

pair for high impact

symmetry or pile a

single piece with

plants and tuck

into a corner.

CUT LIST

# 4 1 1 1 1 1

10

2

PART

A-FRAME STRUCTURE

BOTTOM SHELF (SHELF 5)

SHELF 4

SHELF 3

SHELF 2

SHELF 1

LADDER RUNGS

DOWEL CLEATS BOTTOM SHELF

LENGTH

1×2 at 69"

1×10 at 37"

1×10 at 31"

1×10 at 25"

1×10 at 20"

1×10 at 13"

1×2 at 91/2"

3/4×3/4 at 91/2"

DO IT

BETTER

TO SECURE SHELVES

AND AVOID SLIPPAGE OR

SPILLS, ADD CLEATS (WE

USED 1-INCH SQUARE

DOWELS) TO THE BOTTOM

OF EACH SHELF—EITHER

JUST INSIDE OR JUST

OUTSIDE THE RUNGS.

FOR RESOURCES

SEE PAGE 101.

66-71_DIY_Bookcases.indd 71 FINAL 2/25/20 2:08 PM