Built-in custom cabinetry and shelving are popular trends in home design and remodeling. They increase a house’s value and storage space. However, custom carpentry costs have soared, making DIY built-ins the only affordable option for many homeowners. If you envision a wall of custom bookcases but can’t afford a carpenter, here are three guidelines for DIY success. Sketch Your Vision Start with a sketch showing the dimensions of the shelves, sides, footers, headers, and trim for your bookcase. For a pair of open bookshelves, your shopping list should include four sheets of 3/4- inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF), 2x4 scrap pieces to serve as vertical spacers between bookshelves, oil-based primer, semi-gloss paint, sandpaper, and 1–2 tubes of caulk. Before you start, consider painting the wall behind the bookshelves the same color as planned for the shelves. Measure and Cut A typical width for bookshelves is about 12 inches, with 4–7-inch footers and headers, and 2-1/2-inch trim pieces. Cut shelves and side pieces parallel to the longest dimension of the MDF. Use a miter saw to cut each 12-inch piece to the desired lengths for the sides and shelving. Next, cut two scrap-wood spacers as long as the planned distance between shelves. Begin assembling your bookshelf by standing each side piece on its side, using clamps to attach the shortest spacers to the bottom of each side piece. Place the bottom shelf on top of the spacers and drive finishing nails through the sides to secure them in place. Repeat the process with each shelf. The Grand Finale The last shelf piece is the top of the bookcase and should lie flush with the sides. Attach a final support piece across the back, touching the bottom of the last shelf piece and lying flush with the backs of the bookcase sides. Stand the bookcase upright and use screws or metal brackets to attach the support piece to studs in the wall. Attach the footer and header strips to the top and bottom of the bookcase to achieve a more finished look. To make your creation appear more substantial, you can attach 2 1/2-inch strips of MDF to the front of each side piece and shelf. Sand the raw edges of the MDF, caulk the seams, and cover your entire creation with an oil- based primer. Then, top it off with two coats of semi-gloss paint. Now, step back and appreciate your creation. You’ve achieved a master-carpenter look on a bargain budget! CREATE CUSTOM BOOKSHELVES WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK Built-In on a Budget
Smart Meets Stylish Design a Fun and Functional Mudroom
Quiz for the Day: What room in a house is seldom mentioned in property descriptions but causes boundless headaches and stress if absent?
Answer: A mudroom.
A mudroom is a buffer zone against dirt, mud, slush, and snow. Beyond keeping your house clean and making it easier to enter, a mudroom provides extra storage and adds to the value of your home. A well-designed mudroom is also a stress reliever, freeing homeowners from worries about muddy floors, dripping boots, and raincoats. Some people create mudrooms by converting a closet or laundry room, expanding a garage, or enclosing a porch, while others add a small addition or bump-out to their house. The cost ranges from a few thousand dollars to convert a closet to $30,000 or more to create a new addition. Here are three essential features to make your mudrooms work well for adults, kids, and pets. Sitting Space A cushioned bench makes it easier for users to remove shoes and boots. Built-in benches that double as storage space anchor the design and make it easy to tuck seasonal gear, shoes, and boots neatly out of sight. While many homeowners yearn for the tidy, put-together look of closed cabinets for storing accessories and supplies, a combination of closed cabinets and open cubbies for easy access to oft-used items is a more practical design for this hardworking space. Also, inside those closed cupboards can be a good place for shared device charging stations, to keep the cords out of sight. Multipurpose Flooring Your mudroom floor will take a beating, so choose durable, easy- to-clean tile or stone flooring. Earth tones work well in this space, for obvious reasons! If your mudroom design will accommodate a utility sink, this is a welcome addition for cleaning dirty hands and footwear. Another good dual-purpose design is to convert your laundry room into a mudroom. Wall Storage Hooks and open shelves along the walls can provide needed storage for clothing, bags, and pet leashes. Line the shelves with colorful bins and baskets to expand available space and add visual interest. Consider labeling the bins to maintain order, and swap out the baskets as the seasons change. As you implement these savvy design features, you’ll soon see the benefits of containing the messes of day-to-day life.
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