Storage & Shelving

Scalloped Bookcase

This DIY wavy scalloped bookcase is a trendy way to show off your books and decor.

Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 4.5–8.8 hours
Cost: $$$

About this build

This DIY wavy scalloped bookcase is a trendy way to show off your books and decor. Scalloped edges break up the sharp lines for a beautiful look!

Tools

Essential

Drill / Driver
Jigsaw
Pocket Hole Jig
Random Orbit Sander
Track Saw

Materials

Item	Qty
3/4" plywood, 4'x8'	2 board
1/4" plywood, 4'x8'	1 board
Edge banding	1 board
1 1/4" Kreg pocket hole screws	20 each
Wood glue	1 each
1" nails	1 each
Stain or paint	1 each
Polyurethane	1 each
1/4" shelf pins	16 each

Overall cost: $$$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
Sides	2	3/4" × 10" × 72"
Top/Bottom	2	3/4" × 10" × 34"
Shelves	5	3/4" × 10" × 34"
Long Face	2	3/4" × 8" × 72"
Short Face	2	3/4" × 8" × 24"
Back	1	1/4" × 35" × 71"

What to buy

Buy 10 boards at 8 ft.

3/4" × 10"

6 boards

72"
72"
34"34"
34"34"
34"34"
34"

3/4" × 8"

3 boards

72"
72"
24"24"

1/4" × 35"

1 board

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

1Drill pocket holes
- Drill pocket holes in the following locations on these boards: Top- 2 on each end Bottom- 2 on each end (1) Shelf- 2 on each end (2) Sides- 4 on one long edge at 4” and 30” from each end
2Cut scallops
- On the face of one Long Face, mark a point 6" x 6" from opposing corners. - With a pencil, draw four waves between the two points on the board. - On the face of one Short Face, mark a point 6" up the short edges. - With a pencil, draw a wave between the two points on the board. - Using a jigsaw, cut out the waves along the lines. - Using these two cuts, trace matching waves on the other Long Face and Short Face boards and repeat the process.
3Assemble Box
- Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the Top and Bottom between the two Sides flush at the ends. - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the Shelf with pocket holes at the center between the Sides.
4Drill shelf pin holes
- Using a Kreg Shelf Pin Jig, drill shelf pin holes up and down both Sides to prepare for adjustable shelves.
5Assemble face
- Drill two pocket holes on each short edge of the Short Faces. - Using wood glue and pocket hole screws, attach the Short Faces between the two Long Faces. - These should line up with the 6" edges of the Short Faces attaching flush with the 6" cut in on the Long Faces.
6Attach face
- Apply wood glue to the forward facing edges of the bookcase box. - Using clamps, align and secure the scallop face to the front of the bookcase. - Using pocket hole screws, attach the face using the pocket holes on the long edge of the Sides.
7Attach back
Using wood glue and pin nails, attach the Back to the back edge of the bookcase.
8Cover plywood edges
- If you don’t like the plywood edge look, apply edge banding to a long edge of each Shelf and the curves of the waves. - To apply edge banding to curves, it’s difficult to use an iron like with a flat surface, so use a heat gun and a round dowel to press the banding into place.
9Stain/paint
- Apply stain or paint to the entire piece to match your decor style. - Apply a coat of polyurethane to the entire bookcase and each removable shelf.
10Add shelves
- Insert shelf pins into the holes at the points you want the Shelves to be. - Slide the shelves into place above the pins. You’ll need to insert them at an angle because of the waves on the face.
11Decorate
Style your bookcase with books, decor, photos or anything else you want to show off!
12Enjoy!
Enjoy your handiwork and tag @CharlestonCraftedBuilds on Instagram with a picture!