Folks with experience putting up bracketed bookshelves

[Raswan]

Moved into a new place and rather than do some expensive-ass built-in or shell out $600 on Target-quality bookshelves that are six feet tall and waste a bunch of space, I've decided to put up bracketed bookshelves in my new office.

It's going to be a decent-sized project so I figured I'd ask if there are folks who have experience with this. Basically doing a full wall of a 12x12 room, with the option of wrapping around corners in the future.

At this point the plan is just to find some not-terrible looking brackets for less than five bucks a piece (need forty of them), put them in the studs, and top with some finished lumber--oak or something. Should leave some room in the budget for some sweet, sweet LEDs behind the books. Plan is to do 1/2 10-inch shelves and 1/2 8-inch shelves to maximize space.

Any suggestions from the crew here on places to find brackets that don't look like they belong in a closet but don't break the bank? How about lumber options (is my best bet just to do 1x6s from Menards or something? Studs are mostly 16 inches apart, but it's an old house so a couple are 22 apart).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Thebobo]

I did something a little different I did use the bracket shelving but I put the brackets on strips of 1" x 2" x 8' furring strip board. I made 5 of them then cut them to ceiling height (you can stain or paint them to look the same color as the metal bracket.) I then spaced them out, let them rest on the ground and put one screw into the wall at the very top. Used some 1" x 12" pine board for the actual shelf. You can stain or paint those to.

The benefit was I didn't have to worry about the studs since most of the weight is on the ground. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.

 

[Raswan]

I did something a little different I did use the bracket shelving but I put the brackets on strips of 1" x 2" x 8' furring strip board. I made 5 of them then cut them to ceiling height (you can stain or paint them to look the same color as the metal bracket.) I then spaced them out, let them rest on the ground and put one screw into the wall at the very top. Used some 1"1 xt 12" pine board for the actual shelf. You can stain or paint those to.

The benefit was I didn't have to worry about the studs since most of the weight is on the ground. I'll see if I can find a picture of it.

So they acted as floor-to-ceiling runners that the brackets were anchored to? Interesting idea. Basically a DIY version of this.

I can see the appeal, though I'm surprised it was strong enough without putting those furring strips into the studs. Also, all the big box stores' supplies of furring strips are about one nice and straight one to sixty thousand bent-ass POSs. But thanks for the suggestions; yeah, if you find a pic I'd like to see how it turned out.

 

[boomerang]

Use ShelfTrack. IMO, it's more attractive that a slew of shelf brackets screwed to the wall plus it will go up much quicker. You also have the option of adjustability of the space between the shelves. How attractive or unattractive you find it will be a judgement call on your part.

Link provided for reference.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/ClosetMaid-ShelfTrack-84-in-x-1-in-White-Standard-2812/100194576

There are various options on shelving. You can find melamine wrapped shelves in various depths and lengths at the home store. Cut ends could present a problem as well as lengths available. If you want wood, find some veneered plywood in the type of wood you want. Plywood is very stable and you should have no worries about warping which you will have with standard dimensional lumber. You can stain as you wish. If it's available in a poplar veneer, (I have no clue) that is great way to go if you desire to paint them.

 

[Thebobo]

So they acted as floor-to-ceiling runners that the brackets were anchored to? Interesting idea. Basically a DIY version of this.

I can see the appeal, though I'm surprised it was strong enough without putting those furring strips into the studs. Also, all the big box stores' supplies of furring strips are about one nice and straight one to sixty thousand bent-ass POSs. But thanks for the suggestions; yeah, if you find a pic I'd like to see how it turned out.

Here is a pic mind you it's in a room set up for my "work shop." just using the old sing brackets, can only get the double ones today