DIY Plans to Build a Bombay Bookcase

A Beautiful Bookcase with Lots of Storage Space

This bookcase is full of style and function… The DIY plans to build a Bombay Bookcase feature three large shelves plus three doors which equal plenty of space to display and store a variety of items! The bookcase is an easy to build piece and is very inexpensive!

Materials:

• 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws (<– affiliate link!)
• 1-1/4″ brad nails
• Edge banding, optional
• 3 sets of 14″ Drawer slides
• Cabinet pulls
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
• Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)

Lumber:

• 4 – 1×2 at 8′
• 2 – 1×4 at 6′
• 3 – 1×6 at 8′
• 1 – 4′ x 8′ sheet of 1/4″ plywood
• 2 – 4′ x 8′ sheets of 3/4″ plywood

Cut List:

• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 79-1/4″ – Sides
• 5 – 3/4″ plywood at 14-1/4″ x 32-1/2″ – Shelves
• 2 – 1×4 (ripped to 2-3/4″ wide) at 32-1/2″ – Kick Plates
• 2 – 1×2 at 79-1/4″ – Face Frame
• 3 – 1×2 at 31″ – Face Frame
• 2 – 1×4 at 31″ – Face Frame
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 15-1/4″ x 35″ – Top
• 1 – 1/4″ plywood at 33-1/4″ x 76-7/8″ – Back Panel
• 6 – 1×2 at 14-1/4″ – Drawer Slide Spacers
• 3 – 3/4″ plywood at 12-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ – Drawer Box Bottoms
• 6 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-1/2″ wide) at 12-1/2″ – Drawer Box Sides
• 6 – 1×6 (ripped to 4-1/2″ wide) at 30″ – Drawer Box Front & Back
• 2 – 3/4″ plywood at 6-1/4″ x 30-3/4″ – Drawer Fronts
• 1 – 3/4″ plywood at 7-3/8″ x 30-3/4″ – Drawer Front

Click on the drawings for a larger view!

Step One

Edge banding will be applied to the exposed edges of the plywood prior to assembly.

Cut the pieces for the sides and shelves. With the pocket hole jig set for 3/4″ material, drill pocket holes in each end of the shelves. Secure the shelves to the sides as shown using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Step Two

Cut the pieces for the kick plates. Position the kick plates under the bottom shelf securing in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Three

Cut the pieces for the front frame. Cut the arch in the upper frame piece using a jigsaw. Drill pocket holes in each end of the shorter pieces. Assemble the frame using glue and 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws.

Position the frame on the front of the bookcase. Note that the top of two of the framing pieces will line up with two of the shelves. Secure the frame in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Four

Cut the piece for the top. The top will overhang the front and sides by 1/4″. Secure in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Five

Cut the piece for the back. Mark the position of the shelves on the back. Secure the back to the sides and the shelves using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Six

Cut the pieces for the drawer slide spacers. The spacers will be positioned on the sides above each 1×2 framing piece. Secure the spacers in place using glue and 1-1/4″ brad nails.

Step Seven

Cut the pieces for the drawer boxes. Drill pocket holes in all four edges of the bottom as well as each end of the drawer box sides. Assemble the drawer boxes as shown using glue and 1-1/4” pocket hole screws. Install the drawer slides according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions, locating them ¾” back from the front edge of the front frame. Take a look at this easy tutorial on installing drawer slides. Make any necessary adjustments.

Step Eight

Cut the pieces for the drawer fronts. Mark the position for the drawer pulls and drill the holes. Shim the drawer front in the opening – there will be a 1/8” gap around all sides – then drive screws through the holes for the drawer pulls into the drawer box. Open the drawer, and secure the drawer front using countersunk 1-1/4” screws from the inside. Remove the screws from the holes for the drawer pull then finish drilling the holes. Install the drawer pull. This easy tutorial on installing drawer fronts will be helpful!

Finish as desired.

This bookcase would be an amazing addition to any room, especially if built in a pair or a multiple to fill the wall of a large room! Have any questions about the DIY plans to build a Bombay Bookcase? Leave a comment below!

Originally posted 2014-12-05 08:00:52.