Homemade MDF shelves in the children's room, by Katelijne

From a small alcove to a lovely spot for children's books

A narrow niche doesn't have to be wasted space. You can see that in this DIY project by Katelijne: five shelves made of natural MDF turn a small corner in the children's room into a handy storage spot. Children's books, toys, and framed pictures all find their own place there. Katelijne made the project entirely herself, using MDF that was cut to size by OPMAATZAGEN.nl.

Five custom-made shelves between the walls

In the photos, you can see a tall, narrow niche next to the window, between a protruding white wall and the white window side. The five horizontal shelves fill the width of the niche and are stacked at different heights. The straight front edges and the untreated-looking, light brown MDF color give the whole a simple, calm appearance. White metal corner brackets are visible beneath the shelves: these connect the shelves to the surrounding walls.

The detail photos show the fine, uniform texture of the MDF and the visible saw edges. The boards fit snugly to the shape of the niche. Exact dimensions and board thickness cannot be determined from the photos, but the result clearly shows why custom work is very useful here.

Books and children's items neatly together

You see the shelves both empty and arranged. Rows of children's books, ranging from narrow booklets to larger picture books, sit on two middle levels. Above them, a toy unicorn, a small clock, and a framed unicorn print find a spot. Larger frames and a green book or a print sit on the top shelf. The bottom shelf remains empty in the arranged photos, leaving room for other children's items as well.

A smart solution next to the window

The shelves do not stand in the room as a separate piece of furniture, but utilize the existing niche. This way, you add storage space without placing an extra cabinet on the floor. The white walls immediately form the background and sides of the open rack. Thanks to the open front, you can see at a glance where the books are located.

Around the alcove, you see a cozy children's room with a salmon-pink lower section of the wall, a fabric growth chart, and a knotted storage net for stuffed animals. Wooden blinds and a light curtain hang next to the shelves. In the foreground stand a red metal seating unit with soft upholstery and a reading lamp. The reading nook therefore blends in nicely with a corner where you enjoy reading a story together.

Make it yourself, with the sawing work of OPMAATZAGEN.nl

For this project, OPMAATZAGEN.nl supplied the cut-to-size MDF. Katelijne personally handled the realization and installation. This division makes a project like this straightforward: you have the panels cut to your specified dimensions and continue with the assembly and furnishing at home.

By making the shelves yourself, you determine the width, depth, and spacing according to your niche and belongings. This means you don't have to look for a standard rack that happens to fit. You also retain control over the choice of materials and finish. Furthermore, by doing the assembly yourself, you can save on installation costs. The final budget naturally depends on the dimensions, material, and mounting method you choose.

Useful points to consider for your niche

Do you want to make MDF shelves in the children's room yourself? Measure the niche at multiple heights and also check the depth on both sides. Walls are not always perfectly straight. Mark the shelf heights in advance and check them with a spirit level. Match screws and plugs to the type of wall and follow the installation instructions for the fasteners. If the space is next to the window, also leave enough room for the curtain and the operation of the window coverings.

Playful, natural style

With natural MDF, white walls, and soft textile colors, this finished book corner has a calm base. The colorful book spines and unicorn decoration make the whole look playful and personal. You don't need to make the shelves striking to achieve a cozy result: it is precisely the simple shape that beautifully showcases your child's favorite items.

The material used: MDF Natural

MDF Natural is a sheet material made of fine wood fibers with a smooth surface and a uniform structure. For custom-made shelves, it is an accessible choice that cuts and finishes neatly. The uniform natural color gives this project its understated base. If you want a different look later, you can also paint MDF. Use a suitable MDF primer for this and pay extra attention to the absorbent saw edges. This way, you can let the shelves grow with the decor of the children's room.