Homemade black bookcase for the living room, by Elizabeth

A black bookcase with space for your entire collection

A bookcase that reaches almost to the ceiling and fits your interior perfectly: Elizabeth made this eye-catcher for the living room entirely by herself. Using custom-cut wood from OPMAATZAGEN.nl, she built a black cabinet where books, plants, and personal items come together. The result shows just how much you can do with a well-thought-out compartment division.

Playful open compartments and a calm base

The photos show a tall, rectangular cabinet with a striking asymmetrical layout. Wide book compartments alternate with narrow, tall sections. The vertical dividers are not aligned vertically throughout, keeping the design lively. At the same time, the solid lines of the panels provide the cabinet with a calm base. At the bottom are four flat cabinet doors without visible handles. This allows you to combine open spaces for your most beautiful items with closed storage for what you prefer to keep out of sight.

Books by color and personal details

The books are largely arranged by color: from yellow and white at the top to blue, green, pink, and red in the other compartments. These colors stand out beautifully against the black background. Picture frames, vases, small figurines, and cameras sit among the books. A plant with long, overhanging leaves breaks up the straight lines. In two open compartments, individual lamps provide warm light. The tall niche with the decorated table lamp, in particular, gives the cabinet a homely feel.

A custom-made bookcase next to the window

The cabinet stands against a light-colored wall in the living room, directly next to the window and the long curtains. The top sits flush with the ceiling, making good use of the room's height. From the side, you can see the closed black side panel and the depth of the compartments. The daylight reveals the subtle surface texture.

The light herringbone floor, the soft curtains, and the rust-colored pouf provide a warm counterpoint to the black. Guitars stand next to the cabinet, which, like the photos and cameras, add a personal touch. In this way, the bookcase becomes more than just a place to store books: you turn it into a wall full of your own stories.

Made myself with cut-to-size wood

Elizabeth realized the project entirely herself, using sheet material that OPMAATZAGEN.nl cut to size. Furniture Board Chipboard 113 W06 Elegant black was chosen for the project. The black finish and substantial panel thickness match the clean lines of the design. Because you receive a complete kit, you do not have to cut large sheets into the correct sizes yourself at home. You can focus on assembling and neatly styling your cabinet.

In the construction photo, you see the cabinet during the work, with a rolling scaffold in front and protective material on the floor. That photo offers a nice glimpse behind the finished result: even a large living room cabinet starts with individual parts and a good plan.

Your own measurements, material, and budget

By building a bookcase yourself, you determine how much space you reserve for books, decoration, and closed storage. You can tailor the shelf heights to your own collection and leave space for a plant or lamp beforehand. You also remain in control of the choice of materials and finish. With a parts list, you can better estimate the costs in advance; by doing the assembly yourself, you save on outsourced work. Also factor hardware, fasteners, and edge finishing into your budget.

Practical considerations for your own wardrobe

Measure the available space at multiple heights and check that the floor and walls are level. Anchor a tall cabinet to the wall using fasteners suitable for the surface. Do you also want to place lights in the compartments? Then consider before assembly how you will neatly route the cords to a power outlet.

Warm eclectic style

In the furnished photos, you see a warm eclectic style: a sleek black base with a personal mix of books, greenery, ceramics, and lighting. The irregular compartments add a playful touch, while the four closed doors at the bottom provide a sense of calm. So, you don't have to choose between practical storage and an atmospheric eye-catcher; here, you find both in one handmade bookcase.

The material used: Furniture Board Chipboard 113 W06 Elegant black

Furniture Board Chipboard 113 W06 Elegant black features a chipboard core and a decoratively finished surface. With this, you opt for a uniform black appearance without having to paint the surface black yourself. The 38 mm version gives the visible edges a robust look that complements this design well. Furthermore, the furniture panel is practical to maintain: simply wipe it with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it afterwards.