How Much Do Custom Built-In Bookshelves Cost?
Built-in bookshelves are a wonderful way to dress up a room, adding character, warmth, and functionality. These additions can serve as a statement piece that sparks a conversation at gatherings, while also working double duty to provide additional storage to otherwise lacking spaces. Built-in bookshelves are on the wishlist for many of our Kirk Heritage clients, but one of the biggest determining factors (as with all projects) is cost. Generally, a built-in bookshelf project will run anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000. The range, of course, is quite broad and is dependent upon factors such as size, finish, and custom detailing, which we’ll discuss below.
Average Cost of Built in Bookshelves
With a few exceptions, the average cost for a built-in bookshelf will run between $3,000 and $15,000. The projects that come in on the lower end typically measure in fewer linear feet, feature open shelving throughout, and are likely constructed out of paint-grade material. Conversely, those on the upper end of the range will span a greater wall space, feature custom drawers and/or cabinet doors, and are likely constructed out of stain-grade material. Specialty add-ons such as built-in lighting and charging stations will also impact the total cost of the project.
Factors that impact the cost of custom bookshelves
The biggest factors that play in to overall cost of built-in bookshelves are:
Total linear feet (said another way, the bigger the space, the closer to the upper end of the price range the project is likely to be)
Quality of material used (for our Kirk Heritage projects, like to look for a sturdy, made-to-last wood)
Finish options (ex: stain or paint)
Open shelving vs. drawers and cabinets
Specialty add-ons (built-in lighting, charging stations, mantels, or other custom features)
Design
The design process for built-in bookshelves is honestly fun for both us and our Kirk Heritage customers. It’s an opportunity to dream big and draw out the ideal design, and while we hope that’s the one that sticks, we also love the challenge of adjusting when either space or budgetary constraints require. Here are some design-related questions to consider when planning for your custom built-in bookshelves:
What is the functional intent? Storage for books? Focal point in a room featuring curated decor?
How tall do you want your shelves? Floor to ceiling? Halfway up the total span of the wall?
Do you want open shelving, or enclosed storage with cabinet doors (or drawers), or a combination of both?
Do you want fixed or adjustable shelves?
Do you want built-in lighting or accessible electrical outlets?
What kind of finish do you envision? Paint or stain?
Materials
For paint grade cabinets, some carpenters may use MDF (medium density fiberboard) for their built-in projects for its uniform consistency. We prefer to use a combination of birch or maple plywood with a solid hardwood (like poplar, for instance) for the face frames, which tends to be stronger when holding weight for long periods of time, such as a bookshelf full of books. The paint grade solid wood material is often a finger joint material (a process that joins smaller pieces of scraps together to form longer boards that are more uniform, consistent, and straight) which is more cost effective than having long boards from a single section of wood, but doesn’t sacrifice strength.
For stain grade projects, oak is a commonly used wood species due to its distinct grain pattern and workability when accepting stains, but other species commonly used are walnut or maple. Stain grade material is inherently more expensive than paint grade, because material has to be sourced that is more uniform in color, grain pattern, and without pits, knots, or other imperfections that are more easily hidden in a project that is painted. Additionally, the stain grade material needs to be one continuous piece of wood which is less commonly found than smaller sections that are able to be joined together in paint grade materials.
DIY vs. Professional
DIY’ing your built-in bookshelves can certainly be a budget-friendly option, particularly for those who are comfortable using woodworking tools, and working with precision. There’s a high level of detail required for this type of project, especially if you’re building between windows or other established fixtures. If you choose to try the DIY route, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the wall and the surrounding area prior to making cuts. While we always hope the space we’re working with is perfectly flat, nine times out of ten, we find ourselves fighting against a bow or maneuvering around electrical outlets running behind the wall. A built-in bookshelf may seem pretty straightforward, but the build process is often met with functional barriers that a skilled carpenter maintains the knowledge and experience to navigate around.
Looking for Custom Bookshelves in Nashville, TN?
Thinking about adding custom bookshelves to your home? Let’s chat! Kirk Heritage is one of Nashville, Brentwood, and Franklin’s most trusted carpenters to get the job done, and quite frankly, these are fun projects to execute as no two are ever the same. Drop us a note on our contact page, or give us a call. We’d love to hear your vision and partner with you (and your budget) to bring your built-in bookshelf dreams to life.