Book Frame: Recycle a Mattress Box Frame into a Book Shelf!

At my apartment complex, people throw out countless items of furniture when they move out, including desks, chairs, sofas, and the mattress set. I personally believe in "Waste not, want not", so when I saw a box frame being thrown out I took a closer look. As it turns out, the bottom of a box frame contains A LOT of good wood - always kept indoors and only warped slightly, if at all.

Now as a college student, I'm subject to two burdens: I don't have much money, but I do have about 20-30 textbooks (and no bookshelf). So that's when an epiphany hit me - bookshelves are made out of wood, box frames are made out of wood...hmmm....Eureka! And that's when the book frame was born.

This Instructable will take you through my process step by step, from disassembling the box frame (below, left) to the finished book shelf (below, right).

Step 1 Materials

You will need the following to complete this project:

1) Mattress box frame
2) Flathead screwdriver, hammer, pliers, measuring tape, and pencil
3) Approximately (16) 1.25" Wood screws
4) Some sort of saw to cut wood (precisely!)
5) Drill
6) Sander, stain, and varnish....if you like pretty things.

A T-square also makes drawing lines easier, but is definitely not necessary.

Comments

[led_scorched]

Another Miner... small world!

[XMalice]

Just watch for bedbugs. They're resilient little buggers and a possible reason for someone to throw out their box spring. It's a prime breeding ground for them.

[jongscx]

aww, you didn't use the springs... :-(

[LMO]

any ideas? they were very rusty....

[mcadwell]

Excellent idea. Good Job.

[proverbio]

...to extend the life of an otherwise useless item is to be rewarded w/ whatever the individual desires. Requests to be submitted to the spouse or willing partner. Good luck! You've serve mother nature well.

[Saint]

I like the idea of putting the shelves at an angle. It may take a bit more space then it would otherwise, but with a low shelve like this it makes looking for a book lots easier.

[xrobevansx]

pretty awesome!