After Picture of Finished Bookshelves

What makes a room a library and not just a home office?

The answer is a custom-designed, floor-to-ceiling bookcase. Built-in shelving can certainly add function and substance to any room.

We embarked on this shelving remodel at our Cranehill project because we knew that custom built-ins would add character and make an appreciable difference to the value of the home.

Renovation experts contractor Rod Nieforth's designed the library built-ins as the first step of our project.

The design concept would incorporate four full length shelving components, each equipped with its own electrical outlet and lighting. Three decorative columns would space the individual bookcases and hide the electrical work. Two wider columns, flanking the center units, would disguise two hidden pocket bookshelves.

Next, Rod built and installed the base and bulkhead for the shelving unit. The electrical wire for the cabinet lighting and outlets was roughed in through the base.

Out in the shop all the pieces that Rod cut for the unit were sanded, stained and finished. The wood was stained with a water-based wood stain in Oriental Ginger.

Rod assembled the units just outside the library. The stain used matches the library's french doors that are also visible in this picture.

The solid 3/4" maple nosings were attached to the cherry veneer MDF shelves using biscuits. These solid hardwood nosings add solidity and strength to the shelves.

Three of the main units shown here are assembled and waiting to be installed. One of the hidden pocket shelves is also ready to go in.

As Rod put the main units in place he made sure they were plumb and balanced all of the reveals. The wiring for the outlets was fed through the spacers between the units.

Rather than going with adjustable shelves we wanted all of our shelves to be fixed. We did this to ensure design consistency and to give further strength to the unit as a whole.

The secret pull-out shelves were installed using six fully extendable 18" drawer glides. Rod recommended full extension glides so that the shelves would pull out easily as well as allowing full access to the back of each shelf.

Rod is installing the second retracting bookshelf. Everything had to be plumb in order for the shelving unit to glide in and out freely.

Crown molding, column covers and finishing touches complete the the built-in library shelves and the final look is stunning.

The pot lights, and electrical outlets were put in. The crown molding topped off the shelving really making it look like one solid piece of furniture.

Wood corbels, or decorative brackets, stained in the same Oriental Ginger were installed to visually supporting the cornice, or bulkhead.

We certainly were very pleased with the end results of our library remodel. Tremendously versatile, built-ins can enhance any room or alcove in your home.

We worked on on several projects at this Cranehill home. To see other articles click on one of the links below:
Heated Slate Floor in the Kitchen
Slate Compass in the Foyer
Skylight Remodel
Walk-In Closet