Building fitted alcove book shelves DIY

DRP

We have a 1.4m alcove. Would like shelves at least 2m high (ceiling 2.7m).

Something like this (not as wide obviously):

Anyone have tips or an online tutorial? I would like it to look as fitted/professional as possible. I enjoy DIY, but not sure my 'finish' is the best...

Lots of suggestions online for using Ikea Billy or similar as the basis for the shelves. This appeals to me as less wall fixings and cutting etc...

Silver-Surfer_2

How simple or complex do you want to go?

Shelves are simple with batrens on the wall.

If you go for the ikea or make your own with upright sides how will you finish it?

Can you buy the width you need?

Walls are unlikely to be straight or square so what's your scribing like?

-taff

Look for ikea hacks...
If you're going to do it yourself, I'd recommend a biscuit cutter to join everything. My father built a fitted wadrobe, drawers and cupboards along a wall of similar size, looks fab, he does know what he's doing though

Have a look at this

http://centsationalgirl.com/2011/11/from-billys-to-built-ins/#more-23570

Hoploz

I'd go for the ikea thing too. We used Billy for an alcove, but with glass doors (so it wouldn't need dusting!)
Lots of similar systems in the shops, you're bound to be able to find some 70cm wide pretty easily I'd say

jk0

Have you come across Jali?

You put in all your measurements on their site, and then they send you a pre-cut kit to assemble.

DRP

Silver-Surfer wrote: »

How simple or complex do you want to go?

Shelves are simple with batrens on the wall.

If you go for the ikea or make your own with upright sides how will you finish it?

Can you buy the width you need?

Walls are unlikely to be straight or square so what's your scribing like?

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Looking at the links, I think the simplest way is to buy 3 Billy shelf units (40cm x 200cm).

This gives me 120cm of shelving , and leaves roughly 15-20cm of gaps to make up. This means putting the 3 units together and adding spacing at the 2 ends, or putting units at either end with the 3rd spaced in the centre.

My question is what material is the best to use for the spacing - painted MDF? what is the best way to scribe this to my c1900 house walls which are very unlikely to be straight & true... what will provide the best finish? (what tools will I need ? I have a handsaws, drill etc)

Carer

If you have a 20cm gap try one of these:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00323364/

They are designed to go with the Billy series and look great.
We used them in our hallway to fill the gap between billy bookcases and it looks great. I've taken out every other shelf and use it for books rather than cd/dvds.

You could either do a billy 80, a billy 40 and the 20 linked above
or 3 of the 40 billys and the 20 unit.

DRP

Carer wrote: »

If you have a 20cm gap try one of these:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00323364/

They are designed to go with the Billy series and look great.
We used them in our hallway to fill the gap between billy bookcases and it looks great.

Thanks - that would be a great solution, but unfortunately the gap is just under 20cm.

I think it will be a case of measuring, cutting, and the application of plenty of caulk and paint...

ManuelG

If it's just under 20, could you just not fit one of the sides, and attach the new piece to the end book case?

Although personally the lack of symmetry would annoy me, so I'd be blocking out both ends rather than use that, full-stop.

DRP

ManuelG wrote: »

If it's just under 20, could you just not fit one of the sides, and attach the new piece to the end book case?

Although personally the lack of symmetry would annoy me, so I'd be blocking out both ends rather than use that, full-stop.

Yes i think it has to be symmetrical.

It is the blocking out part that will make or break the look of the whole thing

getmore4less

Ikea hacks are common solutions for many problems where custom would be expensive or time consuming.

Ideal would be a lengths to match the shelves or maybe fillers painted the same as the wall.

with 3 units you could go for 4 small gaps

another option might be to get bookshelf strips and supports to build into any framework
http://www.screwfix.com/p/bookcase-strips-nickel-plated-16mm-x-1m-pack-of-10/23466.