Hi friends! If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you’ll be familiar with a new series I recently started called “Buy It or Build It?” Every week, I post different furniture pieces and ask my Instagram and Facebook friends: Would you Buy It or Build It? If the majority vote is to Build It! and at least one person takes on the challenge, then I draw up the building plans. Sounds like a fun challenge, right?
So here was our first contender: the Toscana Bookshelf. It’s beautiful, right? But is it worth almost 800 bucks?!
I’m excited to share the very first Buy It or Build It project! This gorgeous bookshelf was built by my Instagram friend, Laura @semi_domestic. Didn’t she do an amazing job? I’m drooling over it. And Laura says it only cost $80 to build – can you believe that? At the store-bought price of $755, you could build several of these bookshelves!
Laura recommends attaching the shelves before moving the bookshelf, otherwise, you’ll run the risk of the X-pieces breaking because they’re not strong enough to support the entire weight of the bookshelf. The shelves will add a lot more stability and strength to the entire piece.
So are you ready to build your own Toscana Bookshelf?
Many thanks to Laura @semi_domestic for taking on the very first Buy It or Build It challenge – you rocked this build! I think I just might have to build one for myself!
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with upcoming Buy It or Build It challenges. Have a great week friends – now go make some sawdust!
Great plans! The shelf turned out so great!
Love this! Going to be my next build 🙂
amazing blog love it all!
Did you stain and finish the wood before building or do it all after building?
Hi Nathaly, I usually stain and finish after building.
What are the dimensions for the smaller more narrow version? I cannot find it on your IG or FB account? The larger version would be too big for my house. Please please post the measurements for the smaller shelving unit !!!!!!!! Thanks !
Yes! Smaller dims pls.
What kind of wood did you use?
I am also looking for the more narrow version plans. I followed an image from Pinterest to your blog but the wide shelf is much bigger than what I need!
Hello! Thank you for sharing these plans. As this will be my first wood DIY project I have a question. Did you sand and stain this shelf prior to building it?
Hi KC,
I usually build most of it before sanding/staining. In this case, I would build the frame and the shelves, then sand and stain them separately, then put it all together. Hope that helps – good luck with your first DIY project!
These plans look great!
What kind of wood would be best?
And do you attach the shelves to the frame or just let them rest there?
Hi Michelle,
The plan calls for 2x4s, so pine or spruce would work fine and are readily available as 2x4s. The type of wood species is up to you – it just depends on what look you’re going for (rustic vs. refined) and how much money you’re willing to spend. And yes, attach the shelves to the frame for more stability and strength.
Any reason why you’re using 2 2×4’s and 2 2×2’s instead of 1 2×12?
Is there a noticeable difference? It would cut down on a build time and I (personally) would like the 2×12 look better.
Thoughts?
Hi Mathias,
We opted for the 2x4s mainly due to cost and looks – 2x4s are cheaper and more readily available. Also, the inspiration piece features planked shelves, so we followed that look, but you could certainly use a 2×12 instead and just increase the measurements to accommodate the wider shelf. Hope that helps!
I assume you are using standard dimensional stud grade lumber from Lowe’s or Home Depot and just choosing pieces with minimal defects (bow, straightness). How much hand milling do you preform to remove some lumber defects? Thanks!
Hi Mark,
I did not build this Toscana bookshelf. I drew up the plans and a reader built it and provided the photos. I usually use off-the-shelf lumber, unless I purchase from a lumber yard, in which case, I’ll rip the boards with the table saw to square up the rough edge and then plane it to nominal thickness. Hope that helps!
I am in the process of building this shelf! I am so excited about it. This is my first EVER build and im quite pleased with it! Thanks for the plans!
This is such a great bookcase. I wanted to make this on a much smaller scale for a nursery any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Jen,
I too am looking for the dimensions for the attached image (taller/narrow piece). Could you please provide us with this information? Dying to make this for my home.
Hi Chantelle,
I’m afraid I don’t know which taller/narrower piece you’re referring to…?
Download link stopped working
I think she means this one:
https://jenwoodhouse.com/diy-geometric-bookshelf/