Unfinished bookcases you finish your way
Most unfinished bookcases come from one of two places: a local unfinished-furniture store selling heavy pine or oak pieces, or a big-box listing that turns out to be particleboard. We make a third kind. Modern bookcases in 13-ply premium-grade plywood that ship flat, slot together without tools, and arrive bare, so the finish is yours to choose.
The Modern Shelf is our freestanding bookcase, in 30.5" and 45" widths with two to four shelves. The Modular Shelf starts as one unit and connects side by side as your library grows. The Record / Book Holder is a small open stand for the covers you want facing out. Stain them, paint them, or seal the raw grain.
Panels slot together in about two minutes. No hardware bag, no hex key, nothing to lose.
Ships flat, with free shipping on every order in the continental US.
Bare, uncoated plywood. No factory lacquer to sand off before your stain or paint goes on.
13-ply premium-grade plywood, not particleboard or MDF. Built to hold a full row of hardcovers.
Left raw: the Modern Shelf as a bookcase
The same shelf, stained walnut
Where an unfinished bookcase earns its spot
Six rooms, and how people finish their shelves for each one.
The four-shelf Modern Shelf in the 45" width holds a serious stack of hardcovers. A clear matte coat keeps the pale plywood look and protects the shelf edges from wear.
Start with one Modular Shelf and connect more side by side as the collection outgrows it. Finish each new unit the same way and the run reads as one built-in.
A two-shelf Modular Shelf works as a low bookcase by the bed, sized for the stack you are actually reading. Pair it with a Record / Book Holder on top for tonight's pick.
LP sleeves and hardcovers share a shelf height, so a Modular Shelf handles both. Stain it dark to set off album art, and stand a favorite cover in the Record / Book Holder.
The Record / Book Holder props up one book or record so the cover does the decorating. It sits on any shelf of a Modern Shelf or on a desk.
A three-shelf Modern Shelf in the 30.5" width fits beside most desks for reference books and binders. Paint it to match your walls and it disappears into the room.
Unfinished bookcase questions, answered
What is the best way to finish an unfinished bookcase?
Sand lightly with 220-grit, wipe off the dust, then pick a direction. For the natural look, use a water-based clear coat in matte or satin. For color, prime first and then paint. For stain, use a pre-stain conditioner: plywood can absorb stain unevenly without it. Our staining guide and painting guide walk through each step.
Is an unfinished plywood bookcase as strong as solid wood?
For a bookcase, 13-ply plywood is a strong choice. Its layers run in alternating directions, so it resists the warping and cupping that wide solid boards can show, and unlike particleboard it does not sag under a full shelf of books. The Modern Shelf and Modular Shelf are built from it throughout.
What sizes do your unfinished bookcases come in?
The Modern Shelf comes in two widths, 30.5" and 45", each with two, three or four shelves. The Modular Shelf is 30.5" wide and 15.5" deep, with two or three shelves per unit, and units connect side by side. Each product page lists full dimensions.
Let customers speak for us
I have two so far. I’m very happy with how they turned out. NOTE: It is easier to stain it unassembled but then it is harder to assemble. But still faster than IK**…
Just what I needed.
look i think it's way overpriced BUT it's well made, got here QUICK, materials came in great condition and they easy quick design build thing is true, i built it in less than 5 minutes. Super sturdy, aesthetic, holds a lot of things, and i do love it man. Considering the price, i still give it 5 starts and if you're on the fence do it.
The perfect size, the right price and goes with everything! We have a greyhound and an automatic dog feeder for him when we're not home, but he's so tall, it has to sit up from the ground. A footstool is too high and we tried a few other things, then I looked at the options from Unfnshed and the mini side table was perfect.
good stuff! i am happy with your store
I love it! i am so happy with this shelf system that I am buying one more just like it.
Took 3 min to assemble
Great shelving and so so easy. Excellent product
Easy to assemble, wood feels very sturdy. Highly recommend and I haven’t even started staining yet.
Nice solid piece. I applied stain and poly. Very happy with the results.
I love mine! It's simple and elegant and fits perfectly under a windowsill. I used the customization tool so it's perfect! Came quickly and super easy to assemble.
Love it. No notes
I’ve been wanting wanting this table for awhile and it’s absolutely perfect! So so easy to put together and so well made.
Beautiful, sturdy, and so easy to put together!
The owner of the store is a remarkable human being. He helped me out over the weekend and then went way above and beyond to make sure that I was happy with his stools. Please buy from him the stools are wonderful and high quality and he's just a great person.