Our previous post on this topic has been one of our most popular. I too, am still quite impressed with my wife's moment of brilliant inspiration. These inexpensive bookshelves are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who can't quite handle the dexterity it takes to use a traditional bookshelf. So many people have wanted to know exactly how to do this project, I thought I would explain just how easy it is.
Your local hardware superstore sells PVC rain gutters, probably in 10' sections. We bought one 10' section, six end-caps, and six mounting brackets.
We used a simple hacksaw to cut the gutter into three 3' sections. We then attached the mounting brackets and the end caps (you could secure the end caps with glue if you wanted to), and then mounted the gutters to the wall with wall anchors.
It's really that simple. And it only cost about $30.
Very nice! Looks great too!
Posted by: Elissa | July 12, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Very cool! I love these!
Posted by: Vivian | February 07, 2010 at 01:11 PM
Vivian, we used these for 4 years, and they were fantastic! The books face out and are on the kids level, making them attractive and accessible. Now that the kids are older (5 and 7), they can manage regular shelves so we didnt put them up in our new house.
Posted by: duane | February 08, 2010 at 12:49 PM
Thank you! What a wonderful idea. We just bought the supplies to do this for my son's room. So much cheaper than the display bookshelves I've been looking at buying.
Posted by: Meg | June 26, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Glad to help! We loved these shelves!
Posted by: duane | June 26, 2010 at 03:03 PM
Brilliant. What a great idea! I feel bad because our bookshelf is part of a entertainment center and is up high....so it's really hard for him to pick out a book. This is great. I'm going to have my husband build these right away. Such a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Caroline | May 30, 2011 at 01:24 PM
Glad you found this idea helpful, Caroline!
Posted by: duane | May 30, 2011 at 04:15 PM
This is such a great idea! Our daughter has a loft bed and we were trying to find something that would keep her books accessible while she's in bed. Looks like this would work. Do you have any idea the weight limit on these shelves would be? She has a lot of books...
Posted by: Jo | July 17, 2011 at 07:45 PM
Hi Jo,
Im not sure what the weight limit would be, but it would depend largely on the hardware you use to anchor it to the wall. If you were able to put some strong bolts into the studs behind your wall it might hold a lot. We used something called Hercules Hooks in the drywall and they held quite a lot of books. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Posted by: duane | July 24, 2011 at 09:05 AM