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    Home » Repurposed Furniture » Bi-fold door bookshelf

    Bi-fold door bookshelf

    Published by Gail | Published March 12, 2014 | Updated September 10, 2021
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Bi-fold doors are easily found at ReStores at a great price. I used 2 to make this bi-fold door bookshelf. Easy weekend project using bi-fold doors. #MyRepurposedLife #repurposed #upcycled #door #bookshelf via @repurposedlife

    How to make a bi-fold door bookshelf using two doors and scrap wood.

    MyRepurposedLife-bi-fold-doors-bookcase

    Use 2 bi-fold doors

     

    bi-fold-dorsDo you remember those bi-fold doors I picked up recently at the ReStore?

    bottom-bracesBecause the weather has been so cold, I took them to the basement shop to transform them into a bookcase. I started by removing the hinges and adding 1x4’s to the top and bottom of the doors.

    Add Shelves

    bi-fold-doors-bookcaseI cut some shelves from plywood. Here I’m testing them out, trying to figure out the spacing using my clamps to hold the shelves in place.

    edge-bandingHave you ever used this Wood Veneer Edge Banding ? This was my first time using it on the raw edge of the plywood.

    with-without-edgingHere are two boards, one with it and one without it.

    band-it-veneer-edgingAfter ironing on the edging with my iron, I used the Quad Trimmer to cut off the overlapping edge.

    installing-cleats-shelvesI added cleats to the inside of the doors to support the shelves.

    Cleats help support shelves

    door-bookcaseTo make the doors look a little less like doors, I added some front facings. You can also see that I added the top, and some trim.

    Trim and Beadboard

    added-bead-boardYou can see the bead board on the back, and some extra trim around the bottom.

    paint-with-primerThis thing is so tall, that it barely fits in the basement because of the rafters and duct work. To make painting a little easier, I set it up on some sawhorses and gave it a couple of coats of primer.

    gray-bead-boardI decided to paint the bead board gray.

    It sat finished in the basement for over a week while I waited for help to get it outside.

    Bi-Fold Doors Make a Great Bookshel

    bookcase-bi-fold-doorYesterday it was sunny and 75° so I was able to take some pictures.

    white-book-caseI used some of my Blogger Staging Stash (prop closet items) to style it. Y’all know I’m clueless about these things. I feel like Jamie bought me a loaded gun….buying me the stuff without telling me how to use it. hahahaha

    white-door-book-caseIt took me weeks to finish this because I worked on it here and there, and painted many coats of primer and paint by hand. I’m so glad it’s done!

    gail

    see more door projects here

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Cindy

      December 27, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Hello Gail,
      Do you think the shelves and cleats are strong enough to hold books? Would love to try this.

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        December 30, 2018 at 10:39 pm

        Cindy,
        To hold books, I would think you would need strong cleats secured with wood glue and screws. 🙂

        I hope that helps!
        gail

    2. Gaury Alfaro

      February 13, 2017 at 12:57 am

      How did you attach the 1x4 at the top and bottom and the facings of the door? Nails?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        February 13, 2017 at 8:35 am

        I do almost all of my projects like this with finish nails and Gorilla Wood Glue. This was a few years ago, so I can only assume that's what I did. If there is room, I'll use screws, but with these doors, I'm sure there was minimal room. That Gorilla Wood Glue is good stuff!

        gail

    3. Curtia

      September 18, 2016 at 8:31 am

      How did you attach the shelves to the cleats?

      Reply
      • Gail Wilson

        September 18, 2016 at 3:55 pm

        Curtia,

        Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I didn't attach the shelves to the cleats. They just are sort of locked in place by the front trim and the back of the shelf.

        Hope this helps.

        gail

    4. Cindy

      June 17, 2016 at 1:21 pm

      There were several questions about the doors being hollow... Was hoping you might answer them?

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        June 20, 2016 at 1:21 pm

        Cindy,

        I answered those questions via email when they came in initially. Yes, they were hollow doors. I added the cleats using Gorilla Wood Glue and brad nails with no problem.

        What else would you like to know?

        gail

    5. Jessica

      March 16, 2016 at 12:42 am

      It looks great!!!!
      Never thought of it making a very classy beautiful bookcase out of doors!!!!
      And of course if u try to go even lower budget go to a rehab store,I have seen them doors at $10 a piece.
      Nice job.

      Reply
      • gail@myrepurposedlife.com

        March 17, 2016 at 8:54 pm

        Yes! ReStore is a great place to find cheap doors!

    6. Di B

      March 20, 2014 at 10:12 am

      This must have been solid wood bi-fold doors. All the ones I see are hollow. Again you out did yourself! Such a beautiful job!

      Reply
    7. Pat

      March 14, 2014 at 1:31 am

      Gail-
      As usual, you did a great job on this cabinet! You have come a long way-- and all your work looks so professional now!
      It looks great...and you styled it so well. 😉
      Patricia

      Reply
    8. Pam

      March 13, 2014 at 12:14 pm

      You are the queen of doors! I love that one. Nice job.

      Reply
    9. Diane

      March 12, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Another great and beautiful project!
      Hip deep snow has gone, some melting the past few days has even shown some ground. Finally days above 30. Some day hopefully I can get into my garage and start a project.

      Reply
    10. Kate

      March 12, 2014 at 4:57 pm

      Bi-fold doors are great for projects. I picked up some at a thrift store for a few dollars (they wanted to get them out!). I've used them to make a long firewood box for my porch and a built-in bench in the kitchen. I still have some left, so I may have to copycat your bookshelf project.

      Reply
    11. Beckey

      March 12, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      I cannot believe this. I just got home with two sets of bi-fold doors just like these that I got from thrift store! Thank you for great idea!!!!

      Reply
    12. Mindi

      March 12, 2014 at 3:32 pm

      It is beautiful Gail!! I really love it, and especially how you did the grey beadboard in the back! Your staging looks great too! Fun fun fun!!

      Reply
    13. Korrie@RedHenHome

      March 12, 2014 at 10:34 am

      This is a great piece, Gail! I love it. Were these doors solid rather than hollow? I wouldn't have thought you could attach cleats to them!

      Reply
    14. girlfromwva

      March 12, 2014 at 10:20 am

      Looks really good! I have never used that edging; looks like you do! I like your staging also.

      Reply
    15. Julie @ follow your heart woodworking

      March 12, 2014 at 9:47 am

      That looks fabulous, Gail. I think I have the same doors, been sitting in my shop for a few years unfortunately. I have used the edging, it comes in white as well for melamine shelving. It's great to use for plywood to make the edges look like real wood.

      Reply
    16. Adina Johnson

      March 12, 2014 at 9:39 am

      I love this Gail. The beadboard and the outside details of the bifold doors give it character. Well, that and the extra trim you added around the top and bottom. What a great idea!
      Adina @ Simply Country Life

      Reply
    17. cassie

      March 12, 2014 at 8:58 am

      such a great idea! i love the size of this piece, too!

      Reply
    18. Anne@DesignDreams

      March 12, 2014 at 8:40 am

      You brilliant woman! Now I know what to use to build a bookcase I need!

      Thanks Gail!

      xox

      Reply
    19. jamie@owlreally.com

      March 12, 2014 at 8:28 am

      looks great! great job staging! 🙂

      Reply
    20. Holly

      March 12, 2014 at 8:15 am

      It turned out great! And I love the gray beadboard!

      Reply
    21. Terri

      March 12, 2014 at 8:14 am

      This is amazing! I can picture it in a bathroom filled with plush towels and toiletries! Beautiful job...as always!

      Reply
    22. Nanci

      March 12, 2014 at 7:03 am

      I love it! I have louvered bifold doors that I saved and now I can tell my husband I wasn't crazy for saving them! Perfect project to use up spare trim and tidbits.

      Reply
    23. Terri Hughes

      March 12, 2014 at 6:37 am

      You did a great job, I love it!

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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