Materials: (3) 2x2 EXPEDIT bookcases, (3) 2x4 EXPEDIT bookcases, wall-mounting hardware, (2) long pieces of 2x4 lumber, shims, base & crown moulding, mitre saw, paint (color matched to match EXPEDIT shelving) & paint supplies, nail gun with finish nails, PJAS baskets, LEKMAN boxes (red) **** plus a TON of other IKEA items to create a kid's playroom (RIBBA picture ledge for books, SNOIG wall lamps, DUKTIG kitchen, KRITTER chairs, STUVA bench as a table, GRUNDTAL wall racks & caddies, etc.)
Description:
1. Assemble the EXPEDIT bookcases.
2. Start from the bottom corner, mount the first 2x4 bookcase to the back wall, ensuring that it's level by adjusting brackets. We used 2x4s under the bookcases to raise it up enough so the base moulding wouldn't overlap with the bottom shelf.
3. Mount the top right 2x2 bookshelf, ensuring that it's level with first bookcase by using shims and adjusting brackets.
4. Mount the next 2x4 bookshelf, again using shims and adjusting brackets to ensure it's level with the bookshelves already installed.
5. Continue with remaining bookshelves - it can be fairly time consuming depending on how straight your walls are. (ours aren't!)
6. Measure and use the mitre saw to cut the moulding pieces to fit the bookcases. Paint the moulding to match EXPEDIT (warm white).
7. Attach the moulding to the bookcases using a nail gun with finish nails. Touch up if needed with joint compound and more paint.
8. Fill to your children's delight!
~ Kristi, Arlington, VA
This is a fantastic idea and totally safe as it is built in.
ReplyDeleteI love this room.
This is probably my favorite build. I long for a standard closet so I can replicate this. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty sweet setup!
ReplyDeleteAll I can think of is taking the 2x2 shelves out, attaching a bunkbed ladder and making that space into an awesome loft bed.
this is great.. can you cut the drywall and slide the shelves deeper into the wall to create more space in the room. You can finish the edges with some sort of quarter round or something more modern. Has anyone done that?
ReplyDeleteThat would be difficult because you have wall studs every 16 inches.
DeleteIn addition, there is no "backing" on the EXPEDIT shelving, so you would see the unfinished insides of the wall.
DeleteWhen you say, "finish the edges", so you mean adding a quarter round strip, or are you talking about shaving the edges off the shelving? The shelving pieces aren't solid wood (or even solid), so I wouldn't recommend cutting into them. The thicker, outer pieces are actually hallow core, and fairly easy to "bust" through the walls, which I did trying to assemble one and didn't realize there was an object on the floor where I was placing it.
What was your nail gun pressure at? I'm paranoid about cracking the facing on the shelves. Did you also use any adhesive/glue?
ReplyDelete