Assembly Instructions for Bookshelf

Start with Piece A

• Lay Piece A flat on a firm, flat surface. A hard floor with a thin sheet or blanket underneath works best to protect the wood without adding flex.
• Avoid carpet or any cushiony surface, since it absorbs the force when tapping parts into place.
• Locate Part 1 and align the arrow on the part with the arrow labeled 1 on Piece A.
• Insert Part 1 into the slot, slide it down, and gently tap it with a rubber mallet until fully seated and flush.
• Keep each part standing straight up, square to Piece A, as you slide it down. A tilted part binds in the slot.
• Repeat the same process for Levels 2, 3, 4, and 5.
• Each of these levels has two side notches. One notch has a dovetail and the other does not. Only the dovetail side is labeled. As long as the labeled arrow on the part matches the labeled arrow on Piece A, the part will install correctly.

Install the Back Support

• Now grab the rear support piece.
• On the side that connects to Piece A, this part has three notches:
  • The top notch has a dovetail
  • The middle notch does not have a dovetail
  • The bottom notch has a dovetail
• Only the top dovetail notch is labeled 6.
• Align the 6 on the part with the matching label on Piece A.
• Insert the part, slide it down into place, and tap gently with a rubber mallet until fully seated.

Check That Every Part Is All the Way Down

• Before adding the panels, every part in Piece A should be slid all the way down. Part 6 matters most: its top should be flush with the top edge of Piece A.
• If a part sits high, stand Piece A upright so the parts stick out to the side.
• Hold the free end of the part (the end in the air) with one hand. With the mallet, tap the part down right next to Piece A.

Insert the Shelf Panels

• You will now install the quarter-inch panels that the books will rest on.
• There are four total panels: three narrow panels that are the same size, and one wider panel.
• Slide the three narrow panels into the grooves between:
  • 1 and 2
  • 2 and 3
  • 4 and 5
• Then slide the wider panel into the groove between the rear support (Part 6) and Level 4.
• Make sure each panel slides all the way down into its grooves before moving on. A panel that sticks up even a little will stop Piece B from dropping in the next step.

Attach Piece B

• Place Piece B on top of the installed parts.
• Start at one end (Part 6) and work your way to the other end (Level 1). Line up each dovetail with its matching hole in Piece B, one at a time.
• As each dovetail goes into its hole, press down on Piece B with one hand so it doesn't pop back out. With your other hand, gently wiggle the next part until its dovetail lines up with its hole.
• Two people make this step much easier. One person holds Piece B down over the parts that are already in, and the other wiggles the next part into place.
• Once every dovetail is lined up with its hole, Piece B will drop down onto them.
• Then slide the dovetails down so they grab Piece B before you stand the bookshelf up.

Stand It Upright & Final Tapping

• Once Piece B is installed, rotate the bookshelf to its upright position.
• Now use a rubber mallet to tap on the left and right side of each level, right where the level meets Piece A or Piece B, not in the middle of the span, to fully seat all dovetail joints.
• Work level by level until the entire structure feels tight, flush, and secure.
• Do not be afraid to tap firmly, as long as you are using a rubber mallet. A white rubber mallet is best, but if you are using a black one, place a sheet or cloth between the mallet and the wood to prevent marks.
• Part 6 needs one extra step. The bottom of Part 6 rests on the floor, so if you only tap Part 6, the floor pushes back and nothing moves. Lift Piece B up slightly with one hand, just until Part 6 is off the floor, then tap Part 6 down with the mallet. That's what slides the two pieces together.
• How you know it's done: each level sits flush with the outside faces of Piece A and Piece B, with no gap at the joint.
• Do not use a hammer.

Build the Drawer Box

• Start with the larger side panel of the drawer—the side that the person will grab to pull the drawer out.
• Lay this panel flat on the ground.
• Grab the back drawer panel, align its dovetail with the slot in the large side panel, insert it, and slide it down into place.
• Then grab the front drawer panel (the narrower matching piece), align its dovetail, insert it, and slide it down the same way.
• At this point, the large side panel should be connected to both the front and back panels.
• Now grab the quarter-inch bottom panel—the panel that books or toys will sit on top of—and slide it into the grooves of the three assembled drawer parts.
• The bottom panel should slide all the way into the groove of the large side piece, which is currently lying flat at the bottom.
• Finally, grab the remaining smaller side panel of the drawer, align its dovetails, and slide it down into place to close the drawer box.
• Tap with a rubber mallet so the drawer is fully seated and flush.

Install the Lid

• Align the hinge hooks with the hinge slots on the back panel.
• Push the lid inward until you hear a click.
• That click confirms the lid is locked in place.

Insert the Drawer

• This upgraded bookshelf uses two drawer slides—one on the left side and one on the right side.
• Pull both slides out fully, including the silver inner rail with the bearings.
• Try to keep the rails extended while inserting the drawer so they do not slide back in.
• Hold the drawer level and make sure it goes in parallel to the opening.
• Push the drawer inward until you hear two clicks:
  • One click from the left side
  • One click from the right side
• The first time you push the drawer in, it may feel a little firmer near the end. This is normal and happens when the self-closing mechanism engages.
• After the first insertion, the drawer should slide in and out more smoothly.

Complete Assembly Walkthrough

For a complete visual guide, watch our full assembly video demonstration below.