Adding Doors To Your Bookshelf: A Personal Experience
As an avid reader and collector of books, I have always wanted a bookshelf with doors to keep my books clean and dust-free. After browsing through countless furniture stores and online shops, I finally decided to take matters into my own hands and add doors to my existing bookshelf. It turned out to be a fun and rewarding DIY project, and I’m here to share my experience and guide you through the process.
How to Add Doors to a Bookshelf: Step by Step Guide
What You’ll Need:
- Wooden doors (pre-made or custom-made)
- Hinges
- Screws
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Measuring tape
- Sandpaper
- Paint or stain (optional)
Step 1: Measure the Bookshelf
Measure the width and height of your bookshelf to determine the size of the doors you’ll need. It’s important to take accurate measurements to ensure a perfect fit.
Step 2: Purchase or Make the Doors
You can purchase pre-made doors from a hardware store or have custom-made doors to fit your bookshelf. If you’re making your own doors, cut the wood to size and sand it down to a smooth finish.
Step 3: Attach the Hinges
Use screws to attach the hinges to the doors and to the bookshelf. Make sure the hinges are level and even, and that the doors swing open and shut smoothly.
Step 4: Paint or Stain the Doors (Optional)
If you want to match the doors to the color of your bookshelf or add a pop of color, you can paint or stain the doors. Make sure to let the paint or stain dry completely before attaching the doors to the bookshelf.
Top 10 Tips and Ideas for Adding Doors to a Bookshelf
- Choose doors that complement the style and color of your bookshelf.
- Consider adding glass doors to showcase your book collection.
- Use magnetic closures to keep the doors securely closed.
- Add decorative hardware, such as knobs or handles, to match the doors to your decor.
- Paint the doors a bright color to add a fun and playful element to your room.
- Opt for sliding doors if you have limited space or if you want a modern look.
- Create a built-in bookshelf with doors to maximize storage and add a custom look to your space.
- Use frosted glass doors for a more subtle look that still provides privacy.
- Consider adding lights to the bookshelf to highlight your collection and the doors.
- Choose doors with adjustable shelves to customize the storage space and accommodate different book sizes.
Pros and Cons of Adding Doors to a Bookshelf
Pros:
- Keeps books clean and dust-free
- Provides privacy for personal items
- Can add a decorative element to the room
- Maximizes storage space
- Protects books from pets and children
Cons:
- Can be more expensive than an open bookshelf
- May require additional hardware and tools
- Can be difficult to find doors that fit perfectly
- May require more maintenance and cleaning
- Can make it harder to access books quickly
My Personal Review and Suggestion for Adding Doors to a Bookshelf
Overall, I’m extremely happy with my decision to add doors to my bookshelf. It not only keeps my books clean and dust-free, but it adds a beautiful and personalized touch to my room. I opted for custom-made doors to ensure a perfect fit, and I painted them a bright blue to add a pop of color to my neutral-colored bookshelf. I would highly recommend this DIY project to anyone who wants to add a functional and decorative element to their space.
Question & Answer and FAQs
Q: Can I add doors to a bookshelf that’s already assembled?
A: Yes, you can add doors to a bookshelf that’s already assembled. It may require a bit more work, such as drilling new holes for the hinges, but it’s definitely doable.
Q: How do I know what size doors to purchase?
A: Measure the width and height of your bookshelf and purchase doors that are slightly smaller than those measurements to ensure a proper fit.
Q: Can I add doors to a bookshelf with adjustable shelves?
A: Yes, you can add doors to a bookshelf with adjustable shelves. Just make sure to choose doors that are compatible with the shelf system and that allow for easy adjustment of the shelves.