SLIDING BOOKRACK

We love projects that combine smart design with timeless style—and this sliding bookrack hits that balance perfectly. Inspired by the early 20th-century work of Greene & Greene, the legendary architects of the Arts & Crafts movement, this piece is both beautifully detailed and wonderfully practical.

The genius of the design lies in its simplicity: the sliding bookends move on friction alone, keeping books upright without the need for any mechanical parts. It’s elegant, clever, and just plain fun to build.

A Stylish Solution for Books, Music, or Display

This sliding bookrack is great for:

• Keeping cookbooks organized on the kitchen counter

• Holding your current reads on a desk or nightstand

• Displaying vinyl records or magazines

• Organizing schoolbooks or planners on a work table

The friction-based sliding design means you can adjust it to fit any number of books, and it’s easy to move or repurpose from room to room.

A Great Project for Intermediate Woodworkers

If you're looking to challenge yourself with precision work, this project is a great fit. Along the way, you’ll build your confidence with:

• Cutting and shaping using a band saw and router

• Precision joinery with a table saw for smooth rail fitting

• Creating friction-based movement without mechanical hardware

• Applying stains and finishes to protect the wood and enhance that Arts & Crafts detail

This is a piece where the small touches matter. It’s a chance to really slow down and focus on clean lines, smooth surfaces, and seamless movement.

Why We Love It

This bookrack is compact, but it feels like a handcrafted piece of furniture. It’s one of those projects that’s easy to underestimate—until you finish it and realize how useful (and beautiful) it really is.

And with its Greene & Greene influence, it brings just the right amount of historic charm to any bookshelf, desktop, or coffee table.

If you’re looking for a weekend project that sharpens your skills and leaves you with a practical, heirloom-quality piece, this sliding bookrack is a winner. It’s one of those builds that feels as clever as it looks—and you’ll be proud to say, “I made that.”