Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Gutter Bookshelves

I can't take credit for this cute idea, because I saw it on my friend Julie's blog and then quickly ran to Lowes to get everything I needed to duplicate it!



The gutter bookshelves were so easy to put together! I bought a 10' length of plastic gutter {you can also use metal guttering} and had Lowes cut it for me into 3 foot pieces. My husband helped me screw the guttering onto the wall and we added gutter end caps so that the books won't fall off the shelves.

These shelves are in our dining room/homeschool area and are great for 'showcasing' our current special reads. They are at a great level for the kids and we love them!

Just wanted to pass along a little something that is Working for Me!

40 comments:

  1. I saw these here and you're right, they are awesome: http://thebookwormsbooklist.blogspot.com/2009/08/our-science-lab-art-studio.html#comment-form

    If you haven't ever checked out this blog--you've GOT TO!! Let me know what you think?!

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  2. Now that's a NEAT idea!

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  3. I can't wait to find a place for these in my house...what a great idea thanks for sharing!

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  4. I am all about the gutter shelves! I can't wait for our schoolroom to be finished so I can put some up. Love it!

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  5. I love, love, love these shelves! I had seen them in another school room from the blog hop too and thought they were awesome! Thanks for sharing the close up of your shelves. :) Have a great day!

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  6. These are a great alternative to the very expensive pottery barn wall bookshelves that I wanted to put in my daughter's bedroom, but couldn't get myself to spend the money. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I saw this idea floating around the net too. I think it is so cool... I'm trying to convince my husband that gutters can be useful INSIDE the house.. he's not getting it. :)Now I have another picture to show him of just how neat they look. Thanks!

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  8. I've been wanting to do this forever!! My biggest fear is that my 2 yr old is going to want to climb them! I can just imagine her looking at them and thinking "Cool!!! A rock wall!" *sigh*
    Kim

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  9. I think I need to convince my DH - I really like this. Oh, yes, another thing - I have to find an available wall that is not taken by other shelves, art or furniture. LOL.

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  10. Those are adorable! I might have to do that, too!

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  11. greatr idea I can always use more shelves thats for sure.

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  12. How great. So cute and funtional. Thanks for sharing.

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  13. What a great idea. Unfortunately my kids are all grown, but I wish I would have thought of this for them when they were younger.

    Great idea for a bathroom for magazines as well as you can paint the gutters to match your bathroom decor.

    Love and Hugs ~ Kat

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  14. They look really cute so small like that! I have used the gutter shelves for about 5 years - the first one ran the whole length of the wall under the window - I painted grass and decoupage Eric Carle pictures from books around them like a reading garden, and then at our last house we had them at varying heights the whole wall. We did not install any at our house now because we are renting, but I do love all the neat things about them! The only thing I did not like, is that they can get crammed really easy and then fall over - I had to watch out for kids getting too careless putting them away!

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  15. Looks great! I'll have to give this one a try.

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  16. I REALLY ENJOY READING YOUR BLOGS-----FIRST TIME COMMENTING THOUGH

    WOW!

    I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.
    SERIOUSLY
    NEVER
    I'M READING YOUR POST AND SAYING OUT LOUD

    GUTTER SHELVES.

    IT LOOKS SO CLEAN AND TIDY.
    YOU MUST HAVE SCREWED THEM INTO THE STUDS?
    AND-
    ISN'T THE PLASTIC A LITTLE FLIMSY FOR LITTLE ONES TO PULL DOWN.????

    LOOKS GREAT.

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  17. We did make sure to screw it into studs. :) Otherwise we would have used wall anchors.

    When you have the end caps on the plastic isn’t too flimsy at all – and much better than having the metal bend and crack and run the risk of cutting one of the kids. :)

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  18. THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION

    I just read your post http://homeschoolcreations.blogspot.com/2009/04/have-question-post-comment.html about the email thing. Sorry I'm behind in the blogging times.

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  19. Ooh. I know exactly what I need this project for. My daughter needs a place next to her bed to store her current book, water bottle, etc. - but it needs to be wall-mounted up high so her 2yo sister won't keep getting it all out. This will be great, because then the stuff can't just slide off on top of her in bed at night. Thanks!

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  20. OH MY WORD! This is a fabulous idea! I am so going to steal it from you, since you stole it from someone else! It looks like something out of the Pottery Barn catalog!
    Toni

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  21. Thanks for sharing! I may use this idea, as our book baskets overflow so quickly! We need more SPACE but for now, I love finding ways to make our existing home WORK! This is a super idea!

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  22. I love this idea!!! thank you for sharing!! My daughter will love it! I love it for my special books too. High and out of reach!!
    Chel

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  23. I've seen them before too, but they are still awesome! I wish I had more wall space!

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  24. wow.. I think I will have to try this!

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  25. You know what?? It would be good in small bathrooms too!! I have two of those. Wow again!

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  26. Well. First time here and I am so impressed! Love this idea...I am seriously running out of room for bookshelves...this would even be great to extend above a bookshelf just to make good use of space.

    Great to *meet* you! I'm glad I stopped by!

    OH, and I have to tell you this: I have 3 boys, but my husband and I have ALWAYS (11 years of always anyway) that if we ever had a girl, we would name her LAUREN MCKENNA. :-)

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  27. OMGsh, that is the most original use of a gutter I've ever seen. What a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing

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  28. Oh yes I have my spot allpicked out....just waiting patiently. :)

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  29. I LOVE this idea! I wonder if it would for children's artwork? What do you think? Using frames?

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  30. ooo very cool! I saw these over on Chasing Cheerios today as well.

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  31. nice bookshelves! they're perfect for the kids' room.

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  32. This is such a cute idea! I just found your blog & I LOVE it!! I am looking forward to following!!

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  33. I LOVE this idea!!!! I sent the link to my hubby about it because I want to do this too! The only thing is...then I'll have to paint first...our walls look terrible! LOL ;)

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