DIY A Clever Book Stand From Scrap Wood You Already Have
If you're a book lover, you may have seen the trending book displays/place holders that are all over the internet. And if you've ever left your book face-down on a flat surface with the pages splayed open, you know that this position can compromise your book by stretching out or breaking the spine. The trending book stands offer a way to prop open your read of the moment without stretching its spine. It also allows you to show off the cover and hold your page placement — some even give you a spot to place a cozy drink so you can sip as you read.
While websites like Amazon offer these stands for upward of $20, making your own from scrap wood means you can customize the color, size, and style to suit your needs and room. If you like the idea of repurposing cereal boxes that keep your favorite books organized, why not try these stylish units that you can recreate just like the store-bought versions? Make this project sustainable by recycling leftover materials. All you need are a couple extra planks, a miter saw, wood glue, nails, and some stain.
A few pieces of wood are all you need
To get started, gather three pieces of scrap 1-inch-by 6-inch wood in lengths of 6, 9, and 13 inches. If you have one long piece of wood, 3 feet will be enough to make all of your pieces for the stand. From here the process is fairly simple. The 13-inch board is your base, but you can adjust the length depending on how big you want your finished product to be. Use a miter saw to bevel one end to an angle of around 30 degrees. Bevel the 6-inch and 9-inch boards on each end to 30 degrees in opposite directions.
Sand all of these slabs so they can be painted after you connect them. Using wood glue, connect the two smaller pieces, forming a tent shape. Then, glue the 9-inch side to the angled end of the base. This will create a raised open-end triangle where you can rest a book and a lower area where you can place drinks or accessories. Secure everything with brad nails. You may want to use wood filler to hide any nail heads. Sand the wood filler once dry, and stain or paint your stand.
Change the book prop position, stain, and decorate
For a more natural finish, simply stain your wood book stand in a shade that matches your bedroom palette or whichever space you plan for it to inhabit. Get more creative by painting the wood and adding stencils or designs, but just keep in mind the peak will be covered by a book most of the time. If you want to elevate the function of your holder, cut out a cup holder divot rather than just placing drinks on the longer flat surface of the plank. Add wooden blocks to the bottom to give it more height, or just leave it flush against your tables.
An alternative way to make a stylish wood bookstand with your spare wood is to just build a triangle without the extended base. To do this, lay a book flat on a surface (unopened) and measure the width of your book. It's ideal to use one of your largest copies so your book holder will fit all sizes. Cut three pieces of your scrap wood into the same size you measured from your biggest book, cutting the edges at 30 degrees. Using wood glue, connect these into a simple triangle that you can prop up on a flat surface like a tent.
Once your book stand is complete, keep it on display so you can show off your current read and keep it handy for whenever you want to pick it up. These also make great gifts. Add one to every bedroom for guests and family, too!