Bookshelf, what's wrong with it? Suggestions please.

[Sparktrician]

Suggestions:
1. Look at the toekick on a kitchen bottom cabinet for ideas on proportionality.
2. Width of shelf should never exceed the ability of the shelf (material) to support what's on it.
3. As others have noted, look at the dimensions of the books you want to place in the unit to get an idea of the size of the shelf.
4. Face frames are fine, but be certain that they're designed such that there is no lip for a book to stumble over as it is being removed from the shelf.

 

[waynelang2001]

From your design Yuri it looks like you plan on laying the books on there side and not upright like a traditional bookcase.....is this correct ????

 

[Warrior]

Gary Katz has a fantastic sketchup tutorial on a bookcase on his website. It covers everything you need to know to get you started working efficiently in sketch up.

 

[clintholeman]

The 2" face frame is a tad wide, as has been pointed out.  I think a toe-kick would help this design .
It would  break up the heavy line and look a bit less boxy.

Just my 2 cents, YMMV ;D

 

[bonesbr549]

It's hard to tell because I can't tell the dimensions.  My gut tells me the shelf fronts are too wide, but that could be misleading withouth knowing the dimentisons between each shelf.  Secondly, the picture appears to have a toekick type front I would question that.    Finally if you like the boxy stile then thats fine.  Me I'd like a top with a slight overhange and maybe on the sides some belt molding to hid that seam and some other trim.  But hey, to each his own.  We all could change anything to suit ourselves and the next joe find it outrageous.  Sketchup is great though, keep plugging away.  I'd also reccomend going over to the Finewoodworking knots forum (if your not already a member).  There is a great section there on sketch up and they will answer any questions pretty quick.  Finally if you are not sure about purportions, could could do a bit of research on the "golden ratio"

 

[waho6o9]

Good call on the "golden ratio" bonesbr549.  Lee Valley & Veritas  has golden ratio rulers ( Phi rulers) and they're quite useful for proportions.    Festool rocks.  [big grin]

 

[Marc2010]

Hello:
My view is that normally a toe kick is 4" tall and 4"deep and a shelf front is normally 2-1/4 to 2-1/2". Figure out what the max depth and height you have to work with and what your trying to put in it and divide it by how many shelves will work.
Good luck
Marc

 

[illumicon1]

Yuri, the shelf front trim or rail should sit just behind (-3/4") the cabinet stiles. Make the shelves adjustable. Bottom rail should be wider to allow trim or route the top edge to set off as the base.