Adding More Storage -Building a Built In -Bookcase

I keep saying over and over that every project at our mountain cottage is designed with storage in mind. 

Our mountain cottage is a small house at under 966 square feet, but I think it's actually less than that. Adding more storage was lacking in every single room when we purchased the house and we're trying to remedy that feature. Most homes may not be as small as the mountain cottage, but..

Who couldn't use more storage?
It's so important to build in storage space in every room. Just look around your house and see where you can steal a few inches here and there. I bet you can!

THE HOW AND WHY OF PLANNING:

You might remember seeing our plan and that we had to use the old closet to build our World's Smallest Half Bath. The new closet, (link below), only gives us about 4 feet of hanging and one shelf above for clothes. That's hardly enough space for for anyone's clothing. We needed some shelving for shoes, folded items, linens and yes, maybe even some books. 
We still were using the existing footprint of the old closet lengthwise, but we felt that taking 12" for some floor to ceiling built in shelving would greatly add to the storage in the room without taking too much space from the already tiny bathroom. (although taking out this space created a challenge for a sink and countertop, which was the reason for creating a Custom Countertop)

It began in the framing stage...

...the bookcase would be 12" deep, finished, not including the space needed for the plumbing and the built in medicine cabinet. 
Mr. DIY set the bottom shelf in place after the drywall was installed...

...then a piece of mdf in for the top, with a hole cut out for a light. 

Mr. DIY used his Kreg Jig Pocket Hole tool so the shelving could be adjustable. 

He installed the sides, installed a light,  cut the holes for the lightswitch and Studor Vent(vent for the plumbing so he didn't have to cut a hole in the roof) and caulked all the seams. 

All of the shelves are edged with molding. 

After the molding was installed, Mr. DIY handed the project off to me to fill all the holes and paint. 

It took me a couple of weekends to do the painting. The trim and the shelving are painted with Benjamin Moore's Decorator White. 

TIP:
I  recommend doing a couple of coats of water based poly on every shelf, so things don't stick to the shelves. 

Look at all that space!

So far, there are only a few things on one shelf. I'm sure there's more to come...

So far in this bedroom suite the storage includes a Custom Built In Medicine Cabinet, a Storage Bed and a Custom Built In Bookcase. Directly across from the built in bookcase/shelving is the closet, which you can see HERE.

Not bad for storage for a small house,

wouldn't you say?

Pam


Disclaimer: The above post is about how we built our storage shelves. We don't take any responsibility for any errors or results obtained from using this information. Using power tools can result in injury. When using power tools, use safety equipment.