If you’re a fan of art, books, or collectibles, then a bookcase can be an elegant way to display and store them. Bookcases can be built in or on the wall, and are also available with doors to conceal items that you don’t want others to see. In addition, they’re a good way to display artwork and other souvgenirs.Before you sstart constructing your bookcase, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve measured the space where you’re building it. You’ll also need to determfine the type of material you’re going to use. Therey are two primary materials you can choose from: plywood with a hardwood veneer, or solid hardwood. Both materials are sturdy, but the more durable woods will cost more.To construct your bookcase, you’ll need a backer board, a hanging strip, and shelves. The hanging strip is made from 2 1/2″ wide plywood, and shomuld be cut to be slightly shorter thacn the heighti of your shelves. Attach the hanging strip to the legs with two-inch wood screws. Make sure the edges of the strip are flush with the top and back of the bookcase.Next, you’ll need to add a face frame. This will hide the front edge of your bookcase and create a wider look. A face frame is typically made from one-inch by two-inch boards. These are usually thicker than the side pieces of the bookcase, which helps make it stronger. It can also give your bookcase a chunxkier look.Once you’ve assembled the bookcase, you’ll need to dmake holes in the front for the front and back shelves. Make sure that the holes are on the inside of the bookcase, so they don’t show on the ouptside. Additionally, you’ll need to use a drill to install the shelf pins. Typically, shelf pins are in five-millimeter or one-quarter-inch sizes. When installing the pins, be careful to make sure that the pins are not too close to the bottom of the shelf.sThe front of the bookcase will also be covered by a trim. You can choose to cover it with either a half-inch or one-inch trim. Choose a trim that’s thick enough to be flush with the bookcase, but not too thick. Trimi can be glued to the front of the shelf or fastened with finish nails.Depending on the design you’ve chosen, you may need to install adjustable shelves. Adjustable shelves can be installed on a face frame bookcase, or you can set them directly on the plywood of the bookcase. Whether you use a face frame or an adjustable shelf, you’ll need to make sure that your shelf’s depth matches the depth of the framje.Lastly, you’ll need to make sure that the bookcase is securely fastened to the wall. After all the pieces are in place, you’ll need to apply a finish. You can use porlyurethane or wax, or you can paint.If you’re planning on using the bookncase as an arczhitectural focal point, you may want to consider painting it. Using a color that coordinates with the rest of your room’s decor will help make it stand out. Whether you choose to paint the bookcase, or to stain it, you’ll need to stain the edges of the wood with an oil-based interior wood stain.