Stack 'em up: Tetromino bookshelves – Canadian Home Workshop

A video-game fan will recognize the tetromino. In 1984, the arcade game Tetris was released, and we never looked at this geometric figure the same way again.

This modular shelf system is a playful spin on the Tetris game. The shelf components use simple measurements and bright colours to lend the perfect blend of playfulness and functionality to any child (or Tetris fan’s) room. The best part of this project is that by altering a single measurement or the number of the pieces you build or the order in which the pieces are stacked, you can make a shelving unit that is truly custom-made for your space.

You can use any 5/8″-thick material for this project—from medium-density fibreboard (MDF) to solid wood—or you can do as I did and use prepainted, 5/8″-thick x 11 1/4″-wide, bullnose-edge MDF shelving from a home-improvement centre.

Skill
2

Instructions

Steps

Tools & Materials

Part	Material	Size (T x W x L*)	Qty.

For the two L shapes
Three-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 30"	2
Two-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 20"	2
Two-unit sides with parallel mitres	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 20 5/8"	2
One-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10"	4
One-unit sides with parallel mitres	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10 5/8"	2
Back panels	prefinished hardboard	1/8" x 20" x 30"*	2

For the two stubby-T shapes
Three-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 30"	2
One-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10"	6
One-unit sides with parallel mitres	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10 5/8"	8
Back panels	prefinished hardboard	1/8" x 20" x 30"*	2

For the two stubby-T shapes
Three-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 30"	2
One-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10"	6
One-unit sides with parallel mitres	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10 5/8"	8
Back panels	prefinished hardboard	1/8" x 20" x 30"*	2

For the square shape
Two-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 20"	4
Back panel	prefinished hardboard	1/8" x 20" x 20"*	1

For the I shape
Four-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 40"	2
One-unit sides	prepainted bullnose MDF	5/8" x 11 1/4" x 10"	2
Back panel	prefinished hardboard	1/8" x 10" x 40"*	1
*Trim back panels to fit