How to make a bi-fold door bookshelf using two doors and scrap wood.
Use 2 bi-fold doors
Do you remember those bi-fold doors I picked up recently at the ReStore?
Because 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
I 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.
Have you ever used this Wood Veneer Edge Banding 
? This was my first time using it on the raw edge of the plywood.
Here are two boards, one with it and one without it.
After ironing on the edging with my iron, I used the Quad Trimmer 
to cut off the overlapping edge.
I added cleats to the inside of the doors to support the shelves.
Cleats help support shelves
To 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
You can see the bead board on the back, and some extra trim around the bottom.
This 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.
I 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
Yesterday it was sunny and 75° so I was able to take some pictures.
I 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
It 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
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Cindy
Hello Gail,
Do you think the shelves and cleats are strong enough to hold books? Would love to try this.
Gail Wilson
Cindy,
To hold books, I would think you would need strong cleats secured with wood glue and screws. š
I hope that helps!
gail
Gaury Alfaro
How did you attach the 1x4 at the top and bottom and the facings of the door? Nails?
Gail Wilson
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
Curtia
How did you attach the shelves to the cleats?
Gail Wilson
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
Cindy
There were several questions about the doors being hollow... Was hoping you might answer them?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
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
Jessica
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.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Yes! ReStore is a great place to find cheap doors!
Di B
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!
Pat
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. š
Patricia
Pam
You are the queen of doors! I love that one. Nice job.
Diane
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.
Kate
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.
Beckey
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!!!!
Mindi
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!!
Korrie@RedHenHome
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!
girlfromwva
Looks really good! I have never used that edging; looks like you do! I like your staging also.
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
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.
Adina Johnson
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
cassie
such a great idea! i love the size of this piece, too!
Anne@DesignDreams
You brilliant woman! Now I know what to use to build a bookcase I need!
Thanks Gail!
xox
jamie@owlreally.com
looks great! great job staging! š
Holly
It turned out great! And I love the gray beadboard!
Terri
This is amazing! I can picture it in a bathroom filled with plush towels and toiletries! Beautiful job...as always!
Nanci
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.
Terri Hughes
You did a great job, I love it!