Wednesday Special Spotlight A Booklover’s Dream

Wednesday Special Spotlight

Shines On

Home for our books

It started like this

and ended …
like this.

Are you wondering what you’re looking at?

It’s paperback stud cubby bookshelves, made by Donald, the carpenter-handy half of C.D. Hersh, to store Catherine’s romance novels and other paperback book collections, which were layered two deep in her office shelves. They now adorn the ‘library’ section of our basement family room.

Wall studs are the perfect depth for holding 4-inch wide mass market paperbacks. Donald installed an adjustable shelving system on the sides of the studs by dadoing a recess so the metal shelving system was even with the wooden studs. Then he cut the shelves to fit, nailed trim around the openings, painted and stained the surrounding wood and … instant bookshelves! Well, maybe not instant, but certainly a clever storage method.

If you don’t have any bare studs in your house you can still create these fantastic book cubbies by removing a section of drywall and installing the shelving systems between the studs. (Donald note: Use interior wall not extirior or you loose insilation.) The shelving system can also be attached to the stud without recessing it. You’ll lose a couple of inches in storage, but won’t have to mess with power tools. Find your studs with a studfinder tool, make sure the space you’ve chosen is hollow, and be careful when you cut the drywall to insure you don’t hit any hidden wiring or pipes. Adding trim around the opening makes for a neater looking opening.

We’ve had these clever bookshelves in several of the homes we’ve lived in. They’re handy for books and other small items you want to display. Put a door on the surface and you’ve got some covered storage. We happen to like our book cubbies open; it’s easier to read the titles and adds color to the wall. Not only are they handy, but they make a great conversation piece when your guests visit. But watch out … with all your books visible you may become their favorite lending library!

There are quite a few empty stud cubby shelves downstair since Donald created two whole walls using this creative storage idea. I guess that means a few more trips to the bookstore! Yeah!

What clever ideas do you have to create bookshelves in your home or office?

Now kick back, relax and pick up a good book to read. You might even try one of ours that you can find over on our book page, under the menu at the top of the page or on our Amazon Author Page