Budget-Savvy DIYer Uses Concrete Blocks To Build A Beautiful Bookshelf

Looking for an easy bookcase that won't break the bank but will hold all your heavy books and treasures? DIYer Sophia Phan uses concrete blocks and wooden boards to create a stunning custom bookshelf that looks like it came from a designer's showroom. This DIYer notes that she needed a shelf that fit the narrow space along the wall by her bed, but most shelves were out of her budget or too large to fit. So, she constructed the shelves herself using an age-old cheap building material: concrete blocks. Broke college students have been stacking blocks and boards to make bookshelves for decades, but Phan took an elevated route with a savvy build that includes LED backlights to highlight collectibles and uses decorative accents to style the shelves. The blocks are painted a creamy white, along with the boards. Before trying this project for yourself, keep in mind that while the terms concrete blocks and cinder blocks are used interchangeably, there are slight differences.

To get that customized look out of raw materials, Phan used extra boards as support in addition to the concrete blocks. Screws were used to connect the boards together, adjusting the height of the shelves and their sturdiness. This allows the shelves to build up at an angle. The long base shelf is anchored by concrete blocks. The next shelf uses blocks on top of the board, weighing it down so nothing tumbles off. Two boards, four concrete blocks, and suddenly there are two full shelves across the wall to use. 

Rather than stop there, the DIYer builds upwards, connecting load-bearing support boards with screws to secure the next level, shorter than the base. Since the shelf stretched the length of the wall, she opts for support boards rather than more blocks. This gives the completed project a delicate, designer look. 

To create this concrete block bookcase yourself, measure your existing space. Measuring and planning the layout width and height before you buy supplies saves the guesswork and the pennies. Concrete blocks and boards can be purchased at your local hardware store, and some stores will cut the lumber for you, so no saw is required.

A brand new standard concrete block costs roughly $2 to $4 at home improvement stores. You can also often find used or discarded cinder blocks for free or a small fee at yard sales and online marketplaces. Search around and ask politely, and you may score a couple of blocks for nothing more than your time. Concrete blocks are heavy, so wear gloves when transporting to prevent scrapes, and be sure to clean off any dirt or dust before painting. The best type of paint for concrete is masonry paint or acrylic latex paint with primer already mixed in. Match the paint to the wood of your boards, prime and paint both, and let dry completely before assembly. 

It isn't necessary to drill holes or add extra support planks, unless you want to take the extra step. The beauty of this project is the near-instant gratification of having bookshelves you put together by hand, with the concrete blocks balancing the weight of your books and treasures with gravity. Because it is so simple, any additions, extra blocks, or boards can be added at any time. Once complete, try placing LED backlights behind the shelves to soften the look. The concrete blocks are the perfect height for showing off souvenir coffee mugs, glowing like a mini-stage.