The Ultimate LEGO Display: Modular Shelf Build Plans + Step By Step Guide

Stop looking for a shelf that "might" fit and build one that’s designed to adapt. These DIY plans walk you through creating a high capacity, fully modular shelving system. Whether you're showcasing a 15lb LEGO Death Star or organizing a home office, this adjustable design gives you a professional, custom look that’s built to last.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS:

Tools:

• Table saw/circular/track saw

• Drill

• Router

• Sander

• Nail gun

Materials:

• 9 - 1 x 12 x 6' pre glued pine panels (I bought them from Menards)

• 14 - 1 x 2 x 8 pine for face frame and base

• 1 - 8x4 plywood sheet 1/4" for the back

•  1 - 4x4 plywood sheet 1/4" for the back

• Pocket hole jig

• Stain and finish of choice - if wanting the black finish I used India ink (linked here)

• 1¼” Kreg pocket screws – 100

• Wood glue

• 1/4" rabbeting bit

• 1 1/4" wood screws

• 1 1/4" brad nails

• wood filler

• 1" brad nails

Cut List:

• Top and bottom of the middle shelf - 32" x 12" x .75" (2)

• Sides of middle shelf - 29" x 12" x .75" (2)

• Outer sides of middle shelf - 29.25" x 12" x .75" (2)

• Upper and lower sides for all 3 shelves - 18.5" x 12" x .75" (12)

• Middle - side panels for upper and lower shelves - 19.5" x 12" x.75" (4)

• Outer - side panels for upper and lower shelves - 19.75" x 12" x .75" (4)

• Long face frame for all shelves - 72" x 1.5" x .75" (6) miter both sides

• Short side face frame for middle shelf - 29.25" x 1.5" x .75" (2) miter both sides

• Face frame short side for top and bottom shelves - 19.75" x 1.5" x .75" (4) miter both sides

• Middle face frame for center shelf - 26 3/8" x 1" x .75" (2)

• Middle face frame for top and bottom shelves - 16.75" x 1" x .75" (2)

• Long base - 70.5" x 1.5" x .75" (6) bevel both sides at 45 degrees

• Short base pieces - 11.25" x 1.5" x .75" (6)

• Back of middle shelf - 32.5" x 28" x .25" (1)

• Back of middle sides - 28" x 19" x .25" (2)

• Back - sides of upper and lower shelf - 18.5" x 19" x .25" (4)

• Back - middle of upper and lower shelf - 32.5" x 18.5" x .25" (2)

STEP 1

Cut the top and bottom of the middle shelf to size.

STEP 2

Cut the sides of the middle shelf to size.

STEP 3

Glue and screw together the center box of the middle shelf using 1 1/4" wood screws.

STEP 4

Cut the upper and lower sides for all the shelves and drill 3/4" pocket holes on each end.

STEP 5

Using 1 1/4" pocket screws and wood glue, attach the upper and lower sides of the shelves to the middle box. Make sure to avoid the screws you used in step 3 when screwing in the pocket screws.

STEP 6

Cut the outer panels for the middle shelf to size.

STEP 7

Pocket screw the outer panels to the shelf as shown in the picture. Make sure there is 1/4" lip at the top of the shelf.

STEP 8

Cut the middle - side panels for the upper and lower shelves.

STEP 9

Screw together 2 boxes for the center of the top and bottom shelves. Use the 32" x 12" panels for the center.

STEP 10

Pocket screw and wood glue the sides to the center box for both shelves.

STEP 11

Cut the outer panels to size for the top and bottom shelves.

STEP 12

Pocket screw the outer panels to the shelves as shown in the picture.

STEP 13

Cut the long face frame pieces to size, mitering both ends as shown in the picture.

STEP 14

Cut the short side pieces for the middle shelf to size.

STEP 15

Cut the middle pieces of the face frame to size for the middle shelf.

STEP 16

Glue and nail the face frame onto the middle shelf using 1 1/4" brad nails and a nail gun.

STEP 17

Cut the short side pieces of the face frame for the upper and lower shelves.

STEP 18

Cut the face frame middle pieces for the upper and lower shelves.

STEP 19

Nail the face frame on using wood glue and 1 1/4" brad nails with a nail gun.

STEP 20

Cut the long pieces for the base to size. The ends should be beveled at 45 degrees as shown in the picture. Drill 3/4" pocket screws into the pieces.

STEP 21

Cut the short pieces for the base to size. The ends should be beveled at 45 degrees as shown in the picture. Drill 3/4" pocket screws into the pieces like you did for the long pieces.

STEP 22

Screw the base onto the bottom of all 3 shelves. Use 1 1/4" pocket screws and no wood glue. The base should be set in 3/4" on each side.

STEP 23

Optional: Route the backside of each shelf at 1/4" x 1/4" using a rabbeting bit. This will let you nail the backs on flush with the back side of the shelves.

STEP 24

Nail the backs on with a nail gun and 1" brad nails.

STEP 25

Sand, stain and style! You've build a completely modular shelf with a TON of storage.