Modern Dollhouse Bookcase

Instructions

1. 1. Cut & Prepare Pieces

   • Cut pieces according to cut list.
   • Then add a 30 degree mitered edge on the following: the tops of the (2) 24" side pieces, the top of (1) 8 1/4" divider piece, the bottom of the (2) 4" chimney pieces, and both ends of the (2) 27" roof pieces. The miter cuts on the ends of the 27" roof pieces should be the same direction, turning the rectangle into a parallelogram. Polish your pieces with an orbital sander. Use fine-grit sandpaper to break down the edges by hand and smooth them out.

2. 2. Drill Pocket Holes

   Drill (4) pocket holes in the ends of each 39.5" shelving piece. Before beginning to assemble the dollhouse bookcase, you can stain and finish or paint your pieces. You could also wait until the entire unit is assembled. I chose to stain and finish/paint my pieces before assembling and just touch up in the end.

   

3. 3. Assemble Middle and Top Shelves

   Continue by assembling the middle and top shelving pieces, each 8 1/4" apart as illustrated. You can use one of the 8 1/4 dividers you cut as a spacer.

   

4. 4. Add Bottom Two Shelving Dividers

   • Place an 8 1/4" divider piece in the bottom shelf 15" from the left side of the unit. Use a nail gun to secure in place. Drive a few nails down through the top of the middle shelf into the divider. Do the same into the bottom of the divider from underneath the bottom shelf.
   • Repeat with another 8 1/4" divider piece, except place it 15" from the right side of the unit as indicated in the illustration.
   

5. 5. Attach Roof and Divider Support

   (Note: I found it easiest to assemble the roof with the shelving unit laying on a flat surface with the front facing the ceiling.) Attach each roof pieces by running wood glue along the top of each side piece and along the roof's mitered edges that meet at the apex. Fix in place using a nail gun. Nail both the area where the roof meets the side pieces and the apex. On the apex, nail from one side into the other (not straight down...you don't want your nails to pop out the bottom!). You can then add some wood glue to the top and bottom of your mitered divider and slide snug into place as pictured.

   

6. 6. Attach Back and Trim

   • Attach the 1/4" plywood backing using a nail gun. Here is a photo of the bottom part of the backing attached.
   • Then attach your 1/2" x 1 1/2" trim pieces around the bottom using a nail gun.
   

7. 7. Finish as Desired

   If you stained and finished/painted your pieces before assembling like I did, fill nail holes and touch up paint and finish (I used water-based urethane) as necessary. If your wood is still unfinished, fill nail holes and finish/paint as desired. (*Important note: If a small child will be using this piece, ensure you properly anchor it to a wall to avoid injury.)

   

8. 8. Create and Attach Chimney

   • Glue together the two small, 30-degree mitered pieces of 2" by 2" using wood glue and a clamp.
   • Once dry, sand away any extra glue.
   • Attach using a dab of wood glue and a few nails up through the bottom of the roof. (Note: If you don't want to buy 2" by 2" just for the chimney, you can make the chimney any size you want. The important part is to use a 30-degree mitered bottom so it lines up nicely with the roof. I grabbed a few small pieces from our scrap pile.)
   

9. 9. Assemble Bottom Shelf

   Begin assembling the shelving by positioning one of the 39.5" shelving pieces between the two 24" side pieces. An extra set of hands is helpful here. The mitered tops of the 24" side pieces should face out, away from one another. Position the shelf 3/4" from the bottom of each side piece and drill pocket hole screws through each pocket hole to fix the shelf firmly in place.