My alcove shelves in a restricted space

You might have spotted my alcove shelves in previous posts as I build these end of last year but hadn’t got round to editing the tutorial yet. I wanted to create more storage in my workspace but I couldn’t place a normal bookcase or chest of drawers in this alcove as it also has a window that looks into my lean-to. The window brings in lots of light so I didn’t want to block any of it out with a piece of furniture so it was time to design a special bookcase. Have a look at the video to see how I got on.

Do you like it? I kinda love my asymmetrical shelves, they provide lots of display and storage space and the big chest is perfect for storing all my photography equipment and other large pieces.

I used 18mm plywood for the chest and 9mm ply for the bookcase. The chest is made from two side panels, a front and a lid. The chest is 90cm high so it sits just under my window and it is as wide as the alcove minus 2x9mm for the bookcase sides. I didn’t give the chest a back as it’s sitting against the wall anyway and it doesn’t need a back to be structural sound, the plywood use is thick enough to make it a sturdy build.

You cut two long sides, as long as the sheet of plywood (2440mm) if your ceiling allows you too. One as wide as the alcove is deep and one as wide as the piece of wall is by the window, 9cm. These two pieces will slot around the chest making it look like one big bookcase. On these sides you mark where you want your shelves to go and on these lines you drill two holes. Screw and glue pieces of baton to these marks as long as the shelf is wide. The shelves will rest on these pieces of baton.

With all the baton in place slide the bookcase sides around the chest, it might be worth glueing in nailing in the top shelf before you slot it in place as it might be tricky installing the top shelf as it will be close to the ceiling.

Glue and nail all other shelves in place and all your bookcase now needs is a lick of paint. I used my trusty white furniture paint from Wilko, I like how the unit blends into the white wall but I left one shelf unpainted to creating a nice focal point.

I now have lots of storage but because of the angled shelves I don’t block any of the daylight out.

I hope these shelves might have inspired you building your own storage unit in a restricted space. if you like my plant pot collection lots are makes you can find on my blog.

Low concrete painted succulent pot click here

Blue and white tiles planter click here

Terracotta and white pot click here

The turtle is a project from my concrete book

Like my pink window? See the tutorial here.

I’ll be back soon with more interior makes, hope to see you then xx