For years, an odd little corner in my living room sat empty. It wasn’t large enough for a cabinet or a chair, and no shelf I bought ever fit quite right. I had almost accepted it as “that weird, useless corner” in the house.

But one afternoon, while we were cleaning, my child pointed straight at it and said,

“Dad, can we put a bookshelf there?”

That simple question changed everything. Suddenly, the empty corner had potential.

That's how I decided to start my corner bookshelf DIY project. It became a surprisingly meaningful weekend experience.

⭐ Step 1: Planning and Measuring the Space

Before cutting any wood, I sat down and really looked at the corner.

Corners can be tricky; they’re not always perfect 90° angles, and even small measurement mistakes can create big gaps.

I grabbed my tape measure, notebook, and pencil. To mark pilot holes later, I put aside my Reindeer cordless drill.

Its steady battery output helps me make small, precise drill points. I’ve used other drills before, and fluctuating power always throws off accuracy. The Reindeer one has been reliable, nothing flashy, but very steady.

I measured: 

• The height from floor to ceiling
• Both walls forming the corner
• The depth the shelves could extend without blocking walking space
• The angle (which, surprisingly, wasn’t perfectly square)

I drew a simple sketch and labeled each shelf size. That sketch became my little blueprint.

⭐ Step 2: Preparing and Cutting the Wood Panels

Once the planning was done, it was time to cut the wood.

I used plywood boards because they’re sturdy but still easy to saw.

Cutting triangular pieces that fit neatly into a corner isn’t as easy as cutting a straight shelf. I set the wood on sawhorses, clamped it down, and used my jigsaw to follow the marked lines.

The first piece was not perfect—I underestimated how the blade curves slightly during a long cut. But after sanding the edges and refining the angle, it started looking promising.

A bit of sanding on all edges made every piece smooth and child-safe.

⭐ Step 3: Installing the Wall Brackets

This was the part I was most nervous about—drilling into my wall.

If the brackets weren’t level, the entire bookshelf would look crooked.

I held my level against the wall and lightly marked lines with a pencil. This needed a lot of patience; even a few millimeters of error can lead to slanted shelves.

Then came the drilling.

I used my Reindeer drill again, this time on a lower torque to avoid tearing the drywall. I’ve noticed something about this drill after using it for many home projects. The torque feels very controlled, especially at low settings. It doesn’t jerk the bit the moment it touches the surface, which helped keep the holes clean and accurate.

After installing the first bracket, I tested it with a bit of pressure. Solid.

The rest went in much smoother once I found my rhythm.

⭐ Step 4: Mounting the Shelves

With all the brackets in place, the exciting part began: mounting the shelves.

I placed each wooden panel on the brackets, making sure the edges touched both walls cleanly. I added a thin layer of wood glue for extra stability, then secured the shelves with screws.

Switching the drill into screwdriver mode made fastening the screws easier. The steady battery output was very helpful. There’s nothing more frustrating in a DIY project than losing power halfway through. This can lead to stripping a screw.

After I mounted all the shelves, I stepped back and saw the structure coming together.

The empty corner was finally transforming.

⭐ Step 5: Finishing Touches

I lightly sanded any rough spots, wiped down the wood, and applied a thin coat of clear finish.

The wood instantly looked warmer, and the corner suddenly had character.

When my child walked in and saw the finished shelf, they gasped, “Wow! You made that?”

They immediately started filling the shelves with books, toys, and drawings.

The corner that had annoyed me for years became one of the coziest, most meaningful spots in the room.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Making a DIY corner bookshelf may seem hard, but it is easy with some patience and a few basic tools.

I used the Reindeer drill and screwdriver because I already had them. They worked well for the job. They provided steady power, easy control, and comfortable handling. Not something I think about often, but during a project like this, I appreciated how reliable they felt.

If you’ve got an unused corner in your home, don’t overlook it. With a few boards, careful measuring, and the right tools, you can turn that forgotten space into something useful and beautiful.

And sometimes, all it takes is a simple question from a child to inspire a whole project.