Tools and Materials

Note

Items may be Special Order in some stores. Product costs, availability, and item numbers may vary online or by market. Paint colors may vary slightly from those shown. Availability varies by market for lumber species and sizes.

Make Reading Fun With a DIY Bookshelf Tree

Need a creative way to encourage your children to read books more often? Building a fun DIY bookshelf tree is a great way to get your child to engage with books. Reading books improves a child’s communication skills, it’s a wonderful way to help develop creativity and, when you read to your children, it builds strong bonds between parent and child. Our bookshelf plans will show you how to build this whimsical children’s bookshelf. It’s a fun way to spark the imagination and give children a space of their own to store the books that they’ll grow to love.

This playful tree-shaped bookshelf is a welcome addition and striking focal point in any room. Its functional and space-saving design keeps books off the floor while still providing plenty of space for books and even toys. Its open and airy design features shelves of different sizes.

For this project you'll need a jigsaw. Not sure how to use a jigsaw? Our short video will guide you through the process.

Shop Storage and Organization Shop Building Supplies Shop Bookcases

Cut Out a Tree

Print the Project Diagram and cut the 17 pieces of paper along the dashed lines as indicated on the patterns. Spray the back of pattern 1 with spray adhesive and set the pattern on the MDF. Align the center marks on the pattern with the centerline drawn on the MDF; adjust the pattern until the corner of the pattern aligns with the edge of the panel. The patterns can now align with each other (Project Diagram, Drawing 2) in sequence to form the outline of the tree.

Good to Know

Spray the back of the pattern lightly for easy removal after cutting the board. To remove the pattern, peel from the edge slowly. Soaking any stubborn areas with mineral spirits will soften the glue and the pattern can be peeled off with a putty knife.

Caution

Always wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with MDF.

After reaching the top, move to left branches

Cut the waste sections from the tree following the pattern. After you cut out several sections on the side of the trunk nearest the MDF edges, cut the whole tree from the rest of the MDF sheet by sawing just outside the pattern. If you make all the detail cuts before separating the sheet, it will be hard to support the weight of the tree without snapping off the branches. Cut the rest of the small waste areas away to make a tree.

Build the Tree

Paint and Plant a Tree

Tips for Painting Your Bookshelf Tree

For the bookshelf tree, the steps above use MDF, an engineered wood. MDF is economical, has a smooth surface and doesn’t have a visible grain pattern. It doesn’t crack or warp like wood. Here are a few tips for painting MDF.

Choose the right paint for your bookshelf. When using MDF, oil-based paint is a good option. You can also use acrylic and latex paints.
If you decide to use a water-based paint, ensure you use a solvent-based primer to prevent the wood fibers from swelling.
If using an oil-based paint, open windows and doors and use a fan for ventilation.
For a cheerful and playful look, choose bright colors to paint the bookshelf tree.
Ensure the surface is properly sanded before painting.
For extra protection, add a sealant as the last step. Follow the sealant’s instructions for proper use.

Painting MDF for the Best Finish: Spray vs. Roller

MDF is easy to paint because it has no grain. However, once cut, its porous edges soak up paint like a sponge so it requires meticulous sanding and sealing. When using MDF, you have several options for painting your DIY bookshelf tree, including spray painting and roller painting.

Spray Painting

Spray paint coats surfaces quickly, evenly and easily without roller or brush marks. This makes it especially appealing when working with geometric shapes, rounded edges and narrow crevices rollers might struggle to reach. Spray paint also dries quickly and allows for multiple coats that build color depth.

The trade-off with spray paint is that it produces overspray — tiny paint particles that drift beyond your intended work area. Protect nearby walls, floors and furniture with drop cloths, even for small projects, unless you’re painting outside.

Caution

When spray painting, wear gloves and a respirator. For extra ventilation, open windows.

Roller Painting

Roller painting is the traditional way of painting using a roller to apply paint from a tray. This method of painting is a go-to for many DIYers and gives you greater control over the paint. Roller painting wastes less paint than spray painting and it works well on broad, flat surfaces, providing consistent coverage and texture.

However, roller painting isn’t ideal in tight spaces or when you’re working with delicate shapes. It also requires more effort than spray painting, which makes the task feel slower.

Spray Painting or Roller Painting — Which Do You Choose?

Both spray painting and roller painting have their advantages. Many DIYers might even use a hybrid approach by spray painting the edges and curves of the bookshelf tree and then using a paint roller on the broad surfaces.

Lowe’s Helps You Build and Paint a DIY Bookshelf Tree

This DIY bookshelf gives you a fun way to encourage kids to read while adding a playful design element to any room. Built from MDF using a few tools and an easy-to-follow pattern, the tree-shaped bookshelf provides vertical storage that keeps books off the floor and within easy reach. Its open design and varied shelf sizes make it both space-saving and visually engaging for children.

We walk DIYers through cutting, assembling, painting and mounting the bookshelf, along with helpful tips for working with MDF and choosing the right paint application method. It highlights key considerations for spray painting with aerosol cans versus rolling, helping readers decide which approach best fits their space, tools and comfort level. With beginner-friendly guidance and room for creative color choices, this project is designed to feel achievable while still delivering a polished, eye-catching result.

Working with the right design elements and Lowe’s, you can build this DIY bookshelf tree in about a weekend. Get everything you need for a successful project — from start to finish — at your local Lowe’s where a Lowe’s Red Vest associate can help you find what you need. Or shop online for everything from poplar appearance boards to spray paint to a cordless drill.

Build a DIY Bookshelf Tree