I'm planning to build some free-standing shelves for my movie collection using a pine board I found online. I like that it's exactly the width of a DVD case. I'm wondering if this pine is a good choice for the shelves. Should I paint it or would it be better to stain? I have a miter saw but not many other tools at my disposal. I'm aiming for a height of 35.75 inches with four shelves. Also, should I use larger wood for the bottom shelf to add stability?
2 Answers
A friend of mine has a ton of DVD and VHS shelves he's made, and he's got it all figured out. He built his shelves about 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide using some simple designs with butt joints and glue. If you can get your hands on a pocket hole jig, that's a game changer for those corner joints. You might also want to include a toe kick under your bottom shelf for better stability. When it comes to finishing, he uses polyurethane which gives a nice finish without strong odors. The pine will darken a bit over time, so no need to stain unless you want a darker look. If you’re curious about wood densities, I usually use a dark teak stain for my bookcases to match my cabinets, but it all depends on the aesthetic you're going for!
That sounds like a solid plan! Definitely, go for a pocket hole jig if you can. It really helps with making those joints look clean. As for painting versus staining, if you want something low maintenance, just seal it with polyurethane. Pine tends to look great naturally, and it won't need much in terms of color treatment. Regarding the bottom shelf, a wider piece would help anchor the shelves better, especially if you're stacking a lot of movies. Good luck with your project!