• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Woodshop Diaries
  • About
    • Work With Me
  • DIY Projects
    • DIY Furniture Plans
      • DIY Bed Plans
      • DIY Dresser Plans
      • DIY Nightstand Plans
      • DIY Desk Plans
      • DIY TV Stand Plans
      • Coffee and Side Table Plans
      • Tables
      • Shelves and Bookcase Plans
      • DIY Storage Trunk Plans
      • DIY Bench Plans
      • DIY Storage Cabinet Plans
      • DIY Bathroom Vanity Plans
      • Kids Projects and Furniture
    • DIY Scrap Wood Projects
    • DIY Workshop Projects
    • DIY Home Decor Projects
  • Shop
  • Getting Started
    • Cabinet Building
    • Woodworking Basics
    • Furniture Finishing Tips
    • Tool Guides & Reviews
  • Blog
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • DIY Furniture Projects
  • Easy DIY Projects
  • Shop
  • Browse Projects by Category
  • Woodworking Tips
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Woodworking » DIY Furniture Plans » Shelves and Bookcase Plans

    Easy DIY Shelf with Baskets

    June 25, 2021 by Shara, Woodshop Diaries

    This post will show you how to build an easy DIY shelf with basket cubbies using basic tools and lumber! I’m sharing FREE building plans below 🙂

    White and wood six cubby DIY shelf made with plywood and 2x2s.  Three khaki baskets are in the shelf cubbies

    I recently built this basic shelf project for a friend who wanted cubbies for six identical storage baskets to help contain her kid’s toys. (I borrowed the three above to take some photos haha!)

    .

    This was a simple project, but the key was building it to fit the specific baskets she wanted to use. Of course, if you aren’t using baskets, this design is the perfect little bookshelf, folding table, or console to store or display whatever it is you need a place for!

    .

    In this video, I’ll show you exactly how I figured out the measurements and walk you through the building process. But, I’ve also provided the written step by step plans below in this post 🙂

    This post contains affiliate links. See policies.

    Tools and Materials:

    Tools:

    • Circular saw (saw guides optional–Check out how to cut down plywood in this post)
    • Miter saw (or any saw that can cut straight lines)
    • Drill/Driver
    • Pocket Hole Jig

    Materials:

    • 1 sheet ¾″ plywood (I used birch plywood)
    • ½ sheet ¼″ plywood
    • (2) 2x2x8 boards
    • 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws
    • 1 ¼″ & 2″ wood screws
    • Wood Glue
    • Edge Banding
    • Wood Putty
    • Storage Baskets (optional)

    A Few Notes About the Build:

    I decided to keep this project VERY simple and use ¾″ plywood for the shelf and 2x2s for the base.

    .

    The overall dimensions were 14 ¾″ deep, 33 ¾″ tall and 46″ wide.

    Overall dimensional diagram of DIY shelf--33 ¾" tall, 14 ¾" deep, 46" wide

    The cubbies fit these specific baskets perfectly.

    .

    For easier cutting, I’ve provided a plywood cut diagram for the ¾″ plywood here:

    plywood cut diagram to build easy DIY shelf project

    Some posts you might find helpful before or during the build:

    • How to cut plywood
    • How to use a pocket hole jig
    • How to apply edge banding
    • How to make your own 2x2s
    • How to finish raw wood furniture without a sprayer

    .

    For more DIY Shelf Projects, check out this list!

    • Industrial Open Bookshelf
    • Mid Century Bookcase
    • One Sheet Plywood Bookshelf
    • Modern Bookshelf
    • How to build a DIY X Base Console Table--free building plans!! Minwax Early American stain makes this inexpensive console table look like a million bucks! Perfect for living room, bedroom, or dining room for displays and storage!
      X Base Console Shelf

    Step 1: Assemble DIY Shelf Sides and Bottom

    First thing was first–I cut down my plywood pieces. Now, normally, I don’t recommend cutting all your pieces at once. Cutting to fit as you go is usually the best method.

    .

    However, in this case, since it is so simple and so few pieces, It’s not a bad plan to cut all the ¾″ plywood pieces first. Just make sure the 14″ pieces are 14″! If they get off, the rest of the pieces will, too.

    .

    Once the pieces were cut, I applied iron on edge banding to the edges that will be exposed.

    RELATED: How to Apply Iron On Edge Banding

    .

    Then, I used wood glue and 1 ¼″ wood screws (don’t forget to predrill to prevent splitting!) to attach the side panels at each end of the plywood bottom.

    Computer diagram attaching side panels to bottom panel of basic shelf build

    Note that I used screws THROUGH THE BOTTOM and into the sides. This will hide the screws from view as they will be on the bottom.

    Step 2: Add Divider Panels

    Since the shelves are 14″ square, I found it helpful to use them to help properly space the middle dividers. You can see this in the video above.

    Two divider panels installed 14" from side panels--computer diagram showing shelf assembly

    I attached the two divider panels using 1 ¼″ wood screws through the bottom so that the panels were all 14″ apart.

    Step 3: Install Middle Shelves

    I installed the middle shelf here using 1 ¼″ wood screws through the two middle dividers and into the shelf. This just saved a little time–check out the video to see.

    .

    Then, I installed the left and right shelves using ¾″ pocket holes and 1 ¼″ pocket hole screws.

    RELATED: How to Use a Pocket Hole Jig

    Middle shelves installed into cabinet using pocket holes

    You can use pocket holes for all three shelves if you’d rather.

    Step 4: Attach Top of Shelf Box

    Once the shelves were in, I installed the top using wood glue and 1 ¼″ screws from the top side.  Since I was painting this piece, it would be easy to simply putty and paint over these screws.

    .

    However, if you planned to stain and don’t want to see the putty or screw heads, you may want to opt for pocket holes on the side panels or use some braces along the top to screw through. Check out the video for more details.

    Computer diagram showing top panel dimensions and installation using screws from top side

    Once the top is installed, putty over any joints or screw heads you want to smooth out.

    Step 5: Paint & Attach Back Panel

    While the putty dried, I cut a piece of ¼” plywood panel to fit over the back side of the shelf.  Note: These dimensions are ¼″ smaller than the overall size to allow for a little wiggle room on each side.

    ¼" plywood backer dimensions for back side of DIY shelf

    Once the putty was dry, I sanded the shelf and the back panel well and used a roller and a brush to apply two coats each of primer and paint (SW Alabaster was the color) to both the shelf and the back panel.

    RELATED: How to finish raw wood furniture

    .

    Once the paint was dry, I stapled the back panel onto the back side of the shelf. If you don’t have a staple gun, you can also use wood screws instead.

    plywood backer panel installed on back side of shelf

    Step 6: Build DIY Shelf Base Frame

    I ripped down a 2×4 into 2x2s to begin making the base.  You can purchase precut 2x2s at the store, but I prefer to make mine from 2x4s to give me straighter boards with squared corners.

    RELATED: How to make your own 2x2s

    .

    I cut four legs and 4 pieces to complete the base frame.  I ended up making this about 13 ½” x 44” so that the cabinet overhung the base ½” on each side and the front—kind of like the top.

    .

    I assembled the frame using wood glue and 1 ½″ pocket holes with 2 ½″ pocket hole screws. 

    Base frame dimensions made from 2x2s and pocket hole screws

    By the way, when I’m using 2x2s, I’ve found wood glue and one screw tends to do better than two screws.  Whenever I use two screws, they are much more likely to split. 

    Step 7: Attach Base to DIY Shelf Box

    I flipped the shelf on its back to attach the base.

    .

    I made sure to predrill first, and used 2” wood screws to attach the base to the shelf.

    Attaching base onto bottom side of DIY shelf

    And once that was installed, I flipped it back over and it was complete.  All that was left was filling the shelf cubbies with baskets!

    Shara placing baskets into shelf cubbies

    This was a really simple project and I hope you enjoyed watching it come together.  If you’d like to build your own DIY shelf with basket cubbies, be sure to check out the video above for additional tips.

    .

    And if you’d like to stay up to date on all the latest projects and DIYs, I’d love if you’d subscribe to my newsletter here:

    And if you’d like to save this for later, don’t forget to pin this or share it to your favorite social channel!

    Pinterest graphic showing overall dimensional diagram at top and Shara with shelf and baskets at bottom with text "DIY shelf with basket cubbies"

    Until next time, friends, happy building! 🙂

    « DIY Planter Box with Trellis–From Wood Scraps!
    DIY Porch Swing Bed »

    Related Posts

    How to Build a Rolling Storage Cart
    DIY Freestanding Ladder Bookshelf
    How to Make Faux Live Edge Wall Shelves

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi! I'm Shara, the designer, maker, and videographer behind Woodshop Diaries. Let's get building, friends :)

    Learn more →

    Woodworking Tips & Guides

    • How to make simple Shaker style cabinet doors!!
      DIY Simple Shaker Cabinet Doors
    • 5 Tools To Get Started Woodworking
    • DIY Kitchen Cabinets–From Only Plywood
    • How to Square Board Edges and Make Your Own 2x2s

    Hi! I'm Shara, the designer, maker, and videographer behind Woodshop Diaries. Let's get building, friends :)

    Learn more →

    Woodworking Tips & Guides

    • DIY Storage Desk Plywood Drawers
      How to Build Drawers–EVERYTHING You Need to Know
    • How to Cut Crown Molding Laying Flat
    • 5 Secrets to Professional Looking DIY Furniture
    • Woodworking Tips: How to Draw a Circle of Any Size

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Tips to Take Your Projects to the Next Level

    --5 Secrets to Professional Looking DIY Furniture

    --How to Properly Finish Raw Wood Furniture {Without a Sprayer!}

    --How to EASILY Cover Plywood Edges

    --4 Ways to Fill a Pocket Hole

    --10 Must Have Tools for Furniture and Cabinet Building

    Printable Building Plans

    Check out our shop to browse printable PDF building plans!

    Website Policies

    This website is for entertainment purposes. Using any information provided is to be at your own risk.

    This site uses cookies to provide you with a better experience.

    All images and text on this site are property of Woodshop Diaries, LLC. Please be respectful and don't steal this content.

    See policies page on this site for more information.

    Want to get in touch? Contact Us Here

    Copyright © 2022