Back to the point - he needs storage. My requirements:
- Easily accessible for an infant/toddler
- Tall enough that he can’t reach a lamp sitting on the top shelf
- Sturdy (I know he’ll be climbing it when he thinks I’m not looking)
- Relatively aesthetically pleasing
- Something neutral that he can grow with
- Inexpensive, or even better, free
Then, I remembered some Ikea bookcases (two different sizes) that we had used in an apartment but didn’t assemble here since we have a lot of built-in bookcases. Essentially they’re spare lumber. With some pre-drilled holes and lots of screws…
I did a lot of measuring and planning, and made a diagram. I used the larger bookcase frame as a base and half of the smaller for the top, trying to incorporate as many pre-drilled holes as possible.
I cut the ends off two long edge boards (where they were curved to fit over floorboards) and cut two shorter shelf boards in half. Then I did a lot of measuring and pre-drilling. And some more pre-drilling when I put those holes in the wrong spots. (thankfully hidden by other boards)
Then I assembled the whole unit, using exactly the number of screws that came with the units. Cool, huh? I also used iron-on veneer to cover the rough ends on the long boards. If you tilt your head sideways to the right you can see the 1 1/2 bookcases that went into this.
I debated painting it white, but I’m glad I stuck with the light wood. We brought it up to Max's room and I secured it to the wall studs with some strapping that came with the bookcases.
I love them, Max loves them (or at least loves pulling himself up on them), I got some practice building something, and they were free. I had everything except the veneer, which my dad bought for another project that he never ended up doing.
What do you think?
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1 comment:
Wonderful job! I need some shelves down in our playroom- I was just going to get some brackets and boards since we've outgrown the 'pulling ourselves up with furniture' stage. I hope to have a few shelves that are flanked with bookcases I scored on CL.
I like the natural wood too, you can always paint later to fit his room as he grows.
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