Make your own leaning tower of books

08 Oct 2025

Most of us need extra storage in our homes, and this project is both quirky and stylish. This leaning bookshelf not only looks great but can be moved around easily depending on where you want to put it. Choose your favourite Resene paint and stain colours, and get started on this do-in-a-day project.

You will need:

• MDF panel, 1.8m long x 300mm wide x 18mm thick
• 3x untreated Pine boards, 1.2m long x 180mm wide x 18mm thick
• Resene Quick Dry
• Paintbrush
• Small microfibre roller and tray
• Saw
• Sand paper
• Wood glue
• Resene Colorwood Walnut wood stain
• Resene Aquaclear
• Measuring tape and pencil
• Electric drill and screws (65mm long), plus black round headed screws
• Resene Lustacryl paint in your chosen colour. Fleur used Resene Black and Resene Fast Forward

Step 1: Start by priming the MDF board with one coat of Resene Quick Dry. Once this is dry, use a paintbrush and a small microfiber roller to paint the board with two coats of your chosen paint colour. Fleur used Resene Black in a Resene Lustacryl finish.

Step 2:Use a saw to cut the pine boards for the shelves to size. The bottom of the shelves are 264mm long and the two sides are 120mm tall. Sand rough edges smooth, and wipe away any dust. Use wood glue to glue the shelves together, and once the glue is dry, prime the three surfaces on the inside with some more Resene Quick Dry, followed by two coats of your chosen paint colour. Fleur used Resene Fast Forward. Sand the edges to get a nice crisp line between the paint and the wood.

Step 3:Stain the rest of the wood (the outside of the shelves) with one coat of Resene Colorwood in your chosen shade. Fleur used Resene Walnut. Seal the wood stain with two coats of Resene Aquaclear satin. Screw in a couple of black round-headed screws into the end of each of the shelves.

Step 4: Measure out equal distances along the black MDF panel and mark with a pencil. Carefully line up each shelf and glue it into place. A set square or level can be helpful in making sure it is straight. Once the glue is dry, flip the shelves over and on the back of the MDF panel, pre-drill holes and then screw in long screws into the three sides of each of the shelves. Stick a couple of furniture anti-skid pads to the bottom of the MDF board to help prevent the bookcase from skidding if you place it on a non-carpeted floor, and a couple on the top to prevent it from damaging plasterboard walls.

Wall painted in Resene Element.

project and images Fleur Thorpe.

Published: 08 Oct 2025