Is building a home library with built-ins as dreamy as it sounds? Spoiler alert: it’s definitely satisfying—but there are some tricky spots that can surprise even the most confident weekend warrior.
Tackling My First Real “Library with Built-Ins” Project
When my wife said she wanted a “library” in our house—complete with those classic built-in bookshelves—you can imagine my slight panic. I’m no stranger to basic woodworking projects (my last big one was a climbing wall in our garage), but this felt like leveling up. Still, what’s a home if you can’t make it your own?
The idea was simple enough on paper. We wanted wall-to-wall bookshelves that looked like they’d always been part of the house. What I didn’t realize? Customizing something like this means dealing with every little quirk that comes from working in an older home—and making peace with imperfections.
What Makes Built-In Bookshelves Challenging?
Building a set of shelves from scratch is one thing; making them look “built-in” is another beast entirely. Here’s why:
- Nothing is square: Your walls and floors will reveal just how not-straight they really are.
- Carpet gets in the way: More on this in a bit—the kickboard trim was an unexpected headache.
- Precision matters: Every gap or uneven joint stands out against those straight rows of books.
- Finishing touches take time: Caulking, painting, and trimming all add up.
Honestly, there were moments when I wondered if we should have just bought some IKEA Billys and called it good. But then again…where’s the fun (or bragging rights) in that?
A Few Lessons Learned (the Hard Way)
Let me save you some stress if you’re thinking about your own library with built-ins:
- Measure twice (or three times): Seriously. Walls are never as straight as you hope.
- Plan for imperfections: There will be gaps or off angles—wood filler and caulk are your friends.
- Avoid trimming over carpet: This was my least favorite part. Trying to get kickboard trim down tight over plush carpet is…well…a nightmare. If you can remove the carpet first or notch around it carefully, do that instead! Every forum post I read before warned me—and they were right.
- Pace yourself: Don’t expect to knock this out in one weekend. Doing it right takes patience (and probably more trips to the hardware store than you’d like).
The Kickboard Trim Fiasco
Here’s where things went sideways for me. Our room was already carpeted when I started—so I figured I’d just pop the kickboard trim right over it at the end. Big mistake! The carpet made everything wobbly, uneven, and impossible to nail down tightly without mashing up the fibers or leaving gaps. It’s one of those things where no amount of “fudging” really fixes it.
If you’re reading this before starting your own project—trust me—it’s way better to pull up that section of carpet or plan your trim before installation day.
The Final Reveal (and My Wife’s Verdict)
Was it perfect? Nope. If you look closely, you’ll spot some less-than-straight edges and seams that could use more love. But honestly? When my wife saw her new “library,” she lit up—and at the end of the day, that’s what really counts.
I shared more photos and details about each step over on Reddit (you can check out the whole post [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/woodworking/comments/1npkdwd/my_wife_wanted_a_library_with_builtins/)), but here are my main takeaways:
- If you’re new to woodworking but want something custom—go for it! Just plan ahead and accept some imperfections.
- The finished space is now her favorite spot in the house—and mine too when I get to relax there.
- No one notices the tiny flaws except me (and maybe other woodworkers on Reddit!).
Your Turn—Would You Try It?
So what do you think? Would you take on building your own library with built-ins—or do you prefer leaving stuff like this to the pros? Drop your thoughts below! And if anyone else has survived installing kickboard trim over carpet…I salute you.
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