I’ve been slowly working on my 4 year-old son Jonah’s room, and little by little we are transitioning it from a baby room to a big boy space. Every night we have story time, but the book storage situation had gotten a little bit of control. They were just tossed into a basket which started overflowing. I decided to make a fun little hand painted wood and copper book storage bin. Check out the full tutorial below!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

HOW TO BUILD A DIY KID’S WOOD + COPPER BOOK STORAGE BIN

Supply list:

• 4 ft. long x 18 in. wide wooden project panel
• 3/4″ thick Copper Pipe
• 90 degree Copper Elbows (x8)
• Milwaukee FUEL cut off tool
• 2 part epoxy/glue
• Saw
• Pocket hole jig and 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws (or you can attach everything by countersinking regular screws and patching over them)
• Brad nailer and 1 1/4″ brad nails
• Wood glue
• Primer and paint (I used white, light gray, and medium gray)
• Paint brushes (including small artist brushes)
• Polycrylic topcoat
• Drill
• 3/4″ Forstner bit
• Wood filler and putty knife (to patch wood knots and nail holes)

Step 1

First, cut your wooden project panel into the following sized pieces: 2 pieces at 12 3/4″ x 18″ ; 2 pieces at 11 3/4″ x 8 1/2″; 1 piece at 8 3/4″ x 16 3/4″. (Cut the bottom to fit.)

Step 2

Cut your copper pipe into 2 pieces at 16 1/2″ long; 4 pieces at 2″ long; 2 pieces at 6″ long.

I used the Milwaukee FUEL cut off tool to cut the copper pipe, and it made the job super easy. This tool is compatible with the M12 system featuring over 80 tools, and it has a brushless motor for maximum power and motor life. It comes with 3 in. metal cutoff wheels for metal, brass, copper pipe, conduit, coated wire shelving, and threaded rod. It’s extremely compact and lightweight which makes it incredibly easy to handle.

Step 3

Build a box out of the wooden pieces you’ve cut. I used pocket holes to attach the sides, and then wood glue and brad nails to attach the bottom. Tip: I used a right angle driver with a square bit to install the pocket screws on the last side since it was a tight space.

Step 4

I measured and marked about 1 1/4″ in and 1″ up at each corner and used my Forstner bit to drill holes the size of the copper pipe so I would be able to slide it through. Just make sure you allow yourself enough space to not run into the pocket hole screws or the bottom board.

Step 5

After patching over my nail holes and letting that dry, I primed and painted the bin. I used a medium gray for my overall color.

Step 6

Add handpainted details. I decided to paint some abstract mountains, and I just freehanded these by using a small artist brush to create triangles of varying heights. I painted those light gray, and when that dried I went back in with white to create snowcaps. When your paint has dried, you can use whatever topcoat you choose. I like to use Polycrylic.

Step 7

(Before I inserted my pipes, I gave them a good cleaning with Bar Keepers Friend and a sponge.) Insert the longer pieces of pipe through the holes so they run along the bottom of the bin, parallel to each other. Poke each pipe out of a hole and attach one of the elbows, then push it through the hole on the opposite end to attach another elbow to the other side. Insert your 2″ pieces of pipe into each of the 90 degree elbows, Then attach another elbow to the end. The open end of each of those elbows should face each other. Insert your 6 inch pieces of pipe into each elbow, connecting them. I opted to use a 2 part epoxy to adhere the copper pieces together.

I love how it looks in Jonah’s room next to the little desk I built for him. (You can find that tutorial here.)

Jonah didn’t want to be in the pictures, so big thanks to his big brother Jake for being my stand-in. (For the record, Jonah does like the book bin though.)

For more project ideas, you can visit my project gallery here.

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the promotional program described above (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

Thanks for visiting!

-Erin