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DIY Pipe Bookshelf (with a Modern “Glam” Spin on Industrial Style)

October 8, 2020 By Erin Spain 4 Comments

I’m currently making over our playroom and turning it into a “tween” hangout space (update: you can see that makeover here!) and the boys really needed more shelving for books and LEGO sets. I decided to put my own modern “glam” spin on the typically industrial style DIY pipe bookshelf.

I love the gold, and while they won’t always be styled this neatly (because boys), today I’ll walk you through the step by step tutorial of how I made it.

DIY Pipe Bookshelf with modern gold pipe

Project Supplies:

(Affiliate links included. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

  • 1×12 boards
  • Pocket Hole Jig
  • 1 1/4” Pocket Hole Screws
  • Drill/Driver
  • Countersinking Drill Bit
  • 2” Wood Screws
  • Sander
  • Paint or Stain
  • (12) 6” long 1” thick Threaded Steel Pipe Pieces
  • (24) 1” Steel Pipe Flanges
  • 1/2″ Construction Screws
  • Acetone
  • Latex Gloves
  • Rusty Metal Spray Primer
  • Gold Spray Paint
  • Wood Filler
  • Putty Knife
  • Tack Cloth (optional)
  • Sanding Block
  • Furniture Paste Wax
  • Cheesecloth
  • White Lint-Free Cotton Cloths (an old t-shirt works fine)

How to Build a DIY Pipe Bookshelf

Step 1: Cut Your Wood

Cutting wood with a miter saw.

Cut your 1×12 boards to the following dimensions: 6 pieces at 3’ long each and 6 pieces at 12” long each. Then I gave everything a good sanding with my random orbit sander.

Step 2: Drill Pocket Holes

Drilling pocket holes with a Kreg jig.

Next, I drilled 3 pocket holes in one of the short ends of 6 of my short 1×12 pieces. These will be the ends of each bookshelf.

Step 3: Attach Sides

Joining wood with pocket hole screws.

I attached the ends to the long pieces of 1×12 using 1 1/4” pocket hole screws. This long piece will be the top of each shelf so we will flip it over later.

Step 4: Attach Bottom

Driving a screw into wood.

After the “tops” had been attached to the sides or ends of the shelves, I attached the bottom (we’re working upside down) by pre drilling holes with a countersinking drill bit and then attaching it using 2 inch wood screws.

I wanted to use pocket hole screws on the top side so when we flip it over the screws won’t be visible from the top.

Step 5: Patch Knots and Holes

After everything was attached, I patched over the knots in the wood using wood filler to prevent bleed through later on since I plan on painting this.

Step 6: Paint or Stain

Painting a DIY bookshelf white.

I painted it with Behr Marquee paint and primer in one in the color White 52.

I do typically use a separate stain blocking primer but for this I didn’t bother. You can check out my furniture painting tutorial here where I share my tips and the technique I use to get the most professional looking finish possible. I painted two coats of paint total, allowing it to dry completely in between.

Step 7: Clean Steel Pipe and Flanges

Cleaning steel pipe with acetone.

While the paint dried I turned my attention to the steel pipe. I cleaned all of the pipe pieces and flanges with acetone to remove any residue.

Step 8: Spray Paint

Spray painting pipe and flanges with gold spray paint.

I primed the pipes and flanges with Rustoleum rusty metal primer, then I spray painted them with metallic gold spray paint.

Step 9: Seal Shelves

Minwax Paste Finishing Wax

While the spray paint dried, I sealed the shelves with some furniture paste wax.

You can use polycrylic or water based polyurethane too, just whatever you prefer.

When I apply paste wax, I use cheesecloth, and I dip it in and coat it well, and then fold it over and apply it through a layer of cheesecloth. Then I wait about 20 minutes and buff it with a clean cotton cloth. An old t-shirt works great for this or you can buy a package of cotton rags at home depot.

Step 10: Assemble

Assembling a DIY pipe bookshelf.

I screwed the pipe into the flanges, then I flipped the bottom shelf over and attached the first pipes to serve as the legs, I used 1/2″ construction screws and because I’m only using 6 inch pipes, it’s a tight fit so you’ll want to use a compact sized drill for this or use longer pipe.

Ryobi sent me their new compact series drill and impact driver and they worked great for this project. I started by pre drilling holes but quickly got impatient and skipped this step for the remainder of the shelves. After I attached the first 4 pipes I then flipped it back over.

I attached 4 more, measuring about a 1/4” in from each side and positioning it flush with the front and back of the shelves.

Then I attached the next shelf using the same method, trying to get everything as straight as possible.

I repeated the process until all 3 shelves were attached.

DIY gold pipe bookshelf

DIY gold pipe bookshelf

You can check out the YouTube video for this project here:

You might also like:

  • Modern Dining Room Makeover
  • How to Paint Furniture: A Beginner’s Guide
  • DIY Abstract Art
  • Project Gallery

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-Erin

Filed Under: DIY, Furniture, Home & DIY Blog, Popular Posts, Tutorials, Woodworking

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Comments

  1. Giftbasketworldwide says

    October 9, 2020 at 1:05 am

    Breath-taking one!! Keep up the Good work

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      November 8, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Julia says

    October 18, 2020 at 4:44 pm

    Love this shelf unit! Haven’t tried this project yet – but have every intention of giving it a try!

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      November 8, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      Thanks! I would love to see it if you end up building it!

      Reply

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