DIY: arch-shaped book holder for your little readers

If your kids love books but you struggle to store them, this arch-shaped book holder could be the perfect solution. Team it with a comfy chair and you've got yourself the cutest reading nook!

ART DIRECTION + STYLING Vanessa Nouwens
PHOTOGRAPHY Wendy Fenwick

Step by step

1. Take your piece of pine which is 60cm in length, 40cm wide and 18mm thick, for the sides of the box. Using your pencil and ruler, find the midpoint of the wood lengthways and draw a line down the middle.
2. Still with the same piece of wood, draw a line 10cm from the top edge lengthways. You will now have two 30cm x 30cm squares. For each square measure 10cm back on one edge and draw a diagonal line to the opposite corner (see step-by-step image for reference).
3. Cut out the 30 x 30cm sideboard pieces you have drawn with the angled ends.
4. Take the largest piece of wood for the front of the book holder and draw a curved top in pencil.
5. Using a jigsaw, cut around the curve and give a light sand if needed.
6. Paint the front covered MDF panel in Resene Half Forest Green – you will need at least two coats and remember to paint the back also.
7. Paint the box pieces of MDF (base, back and side) in Resene Forest Green. Two coats of paint front and back will give best coverage.
8. Paint the four ledge pieces of wood in Resene Rainee.
9. Screw together bottom panel, back and side angled panels to make a box.
10. Screw or glue the ledge pieces together to form the two lipped shelves.
11. Screw the ledges from behind the front panel for a cleaner finish. We had our ledges positioned at 6cm off the bottom and 44cm high.
12. Screw the front curve panel to the three-sided box.
13. Add books and enjoy!

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Visit your local Resene ColorShop, phone 0800 RESENE (737 363) or go to resene.co.nz/colorshops