Shelving: help me think "outside the box."

natkay02 · August 2011

I have an angled wall in my nursery that juts out from the closet. It is about, eh, 3 1/2-4 feet wide.

This was my original inspiration for what to do with this wall, although it would be a much smaller scale: https://www.houseofturquoise.com/2010/11/elizabeth-sullivan-design.html.

What I want is an entire wall of childrens books, facing outward. What I don't want is complicated shelving. I want something I can do myself and I'm not handy with woodwork & tools. I see that they have "picture ledges" at Ikea (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20126065) that look pretty perfect, but we don't live near enough to an Ikea and they aren't available online. Boo.

However, I'm thinking all my books are very light and there has to be something simple I can use to mount there and prop books up with. Like, a spice rack, or... I don't know... something long and skinny in a U or L shape. I'm thinking wire, plastic, something. I'm trying to think outside the box on different materials that might work, but I'm just getting stuck so I thought you ladies might have some suggestions.

THANKS!

BabySeals1 · August 2011

Maybe you could use curtain rods, add some fabric, and place the books inside the fabric, making it like a shelf? Or go to Michael's and pick up some boards that you can paint and stack books on. I was boring and just got a book shelf:(

hoot179 · August 2011

I really like the idea of the wall of childrens books...I was thinking about picking up some of the Ikea shelves myself. I just searched picture ledges on amazon and they have some similar options!? I feel like Kohls may have this as well! Good luck!

natkay02 · August 2011

hoot179:
I really like the idea of the wall of childrens books...I was thinking about picking up some of the Ikea shelves myself. I just searched picture ledges on amazon and they have some similar options!? I feel like Kohls may have this as well! Good luck!

The problem is that I want a whole wall (so 4 or 5) and the picture ledges I've found (besides the Ikea ones) are like $30 each. To me, that seems so expensive for something so basic and simple. I'm thinking there is an easier and less expensive option that I just can't think of. Haha. Maybe I'm wrong though!

tblauvelt · August 2011

I found these wall shelves but not sure you want to spend that kind of money per shelf but they do ship quick and the quality is good (I've ordered a couple items from this site with all positive feedback).

BarefootAndSinging · August 2011

Here they used rain gutters. And one of my first thoughts, when you said U shape, was PVC pipe? Like if your husband could use a jig saw or something and cut them longways in half then sand the edges and screw them to the wall? No idea if it would work, just what I first thought! (we've been having plumbing issues around here, so I think pipes are just on my mind. lol) Good luck! I think the wall of shelves is a wonderful idea.

natkay02 · August 2011

BabySeals1:
Maybe you could use curtain rods, add some fabric, and place the books inside the fabric, making it like a shelf? Or go to Michael's and pick up some boards that you can paint and stack books on. I was boring and just got a book shelf:(

I actually had considered using pockets of fabric and maybe mounting with hooks, but I'm not sure how I'd execute that. It'd probably be a big fail. Haha.

hoot179 · August 2011

natkay02:
hoot179:
I really like the idea of the wall of childrens books...I was thinking about picking up some of the Ikea shelves myself. I just searched picture ledges on amazon and they have some similar options!? I feel like Kohls may have this as well! Good luck!

The problem is that I want a whole wall (so 4 or 5) and the picture ledges I've found (besides the Ikea ones) are like $30 each. To me, that seems so expensive for something so basic and simple. I'm thinking there is an easier and less expensive option that I just can't think of. Haha. Maybe I'm wrong though!

You're right, a whole wall would be outrageous. IDK if this is your style, but I was checking this out - may be be too "crafty" for me to tackle, but I realy like it!

https://decorate.tipjunkie.com/how-to-make-a-fabric-sling-bookshelf-how-to-shelving/

hoot179 · August 2011

natkay02:
BabySeals1:
Maybe you could use curtain rods, add some fabric, and place the books inside the fabric, making it like a shelf? Or go to Michael's and pick up some boards that you can paint and stack books on. I was boring and just got a book shelf:(

I actually had considered using pockets of fabric and maybe mounting with hooks, but I'm not sure how I'd execute that. It'd probably be a big fail. Haha.

Sounds kinda like this: https://decorate.tipjunkie.com/how-to-make-a-fabric-sling-bookshelf-how-to-shelving/

natkay02 · August 2011

BarefootAndSinging:
Here they used rain gutters. And one of my first thoughts, when you said U shape, was PVC pipe? Like if your husband could use a jig saw or something and cut them longways in half then sand the edges and screw them to the wall? No idea if it would work, just what I first thought! (we've been having plumbing issues around here, so I think pipes are just on my mind. lol) Good luck! I think the wall of shelves is a wonderful idea.

Rain gutters! YES! I love this, thanks! I'm heading to Lowes after work...

natkay02 · August 2011

hoot179:
natkay02:
BabySeals1:
Maybe you could use curtain rods, add some fabric, and place the books inside the fabric, making it like a shelf? Or go to Michael's and pick up some boards that you can paint and stack books on. I was boring and just got a book shelf:(

I actually had considered using pockets of fabric and maybe mounting with hooks, but I'm not sure how I'd execute that. It'd probably be a big fail. Haha.

Sounds kinda like this: https://decorate.tipjunkie.com/how-to-make-a-fabric-sling-bookshelf-how-to-shelving/

This is SUPER cool, too. Now I'm torn, but definitely inspired. Thanks!

LadyBugLove7 · August 2011

How decorative do you want it to be?

you could go to the hardware store and look at the different types of baseboard or crown molding materials, Long and skinny (might not be quite wide enough) and will have some characteristic to it. The cuts would just be simple cuts you could make with a regular hand saw or something, and you'd be able to paint or stain them what ever color you wanted to.

emolm · August 2011

Wood, wood glue, nail gun, and paint?

hoot179 · August 2011

natkay02:
hoot179:
natkay02:
BabySeals1:
Maybe you could use curtain rods, add some fabric, and place the books inside the fabric, making it like a shelf? Or go to Michael's and pick up some boards that you can paint and stack books on. I was boring and just got a book shelf:(

I actually had considered using pockets of fabric and maybe mounting with hooks, but I'm not sure how I'd execute that. It'd probably be a big fail. Haha.

Sounds kinda like this: https://decorate.tipjunkie.com/how-to-make-a-fabric-sling-bookshelf-how-to-shelving/

This is SUPER cool, too. Now I'm torn, but definitely inspired. Thanks!

If you decide to do it let me know! My mom and I might attempt this...

ginamcp · August 2011

We got six of these from Ikea (https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40070185). They were out of stock when I went to pick them up so I planned on just making them myself. There are 4 pieces to each shelf and I figured I could knock them out easy enough and I am no wood working genius. They ended up restocking them so I didn't have to make them, but I still think I could have done it. You could easily adapt the dimensions to suit your needs.

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