Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Let's build a bookcase with pocket doors! This is what you call a barrister or a lawyer bookcase (so fancy!). The design itself is really pretty simple, but the addition of glass (or acrylic in this case) doors really adds to not only the looks, but also the function.
Use this for a bookcase, a linen cabinet, or even for clothes, purses, or shoes.
Grab the printable plans for this barrister bookcase: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/products/barrister-bookcase-building-plans
And check out additional project detail and more bookshelf ideas on my website: woodshopdiaries.com/diy-barrister-bookcase-with-pocket-doors
**Follow Woodshop Diaries On**
Website: woodshopdiaries.com
TikTok: tiktok.com/@woodshopdiaries?
Facebook: facebook.com/woodshopdiaries
Instagram: instagram.com/woodshopdiaries
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sharamccuiston
SHOP WOODWORKING TEES AND BUILDING PLANS HERE:
woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com
Helpful Resources To Use with This Project:
How to cut plywood: woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw
How to use a pocket hole jig: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig
How to apply edge banding: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges
How to build cabinet doors: youtu.be/1wKi7EO_g7A
How to stain wood: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-stain-wood-furniture
How to apply clear coat: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-add-a-clear-finish-to-diy-furniture
How to adjust cabinet hinges: youtu.be/l06Up00YRU0
Tools & Materials
*affiliate links below
Tools:
Drill/Driver: amzn.to/4kdaGJz
Circular Saw: amzn.to/4b7kL8e
Kreg Rip Cut: amzn.to/4a7bHiG
Kreg AccuCut: amzn.to/4b9HD77
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Pocket Hole Jig: amzn.to/45pHpoN
Dowel Jig (⅜″ recommended): amzn.to/4rqUM0V
Router: amzn.to/4rYYL4n
⅜″ Rabbeting Bit: amzn.to/4s2EpaL
Chisel: amzn.to/46hTIUu
Brad or Finish nailer: homedepot.sjv.io/c/1404662/1354698/8154
Clamps (various)
Sander: SurfPrep Orbital Sander Used Here
Materials:
(1) 4’x8′ sheets ¾″ plywood (red oak used here--bought from Home Depot)
(1) 4’x8′ sheet ¼″ plywood (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(4) 1x2x6′ boards (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(4) 1x3x8′ boards (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(2) 18″ x 24″ Acrylic Sheets (about ⅛″ thick): amzn.to/4qNtAIC
1 ¼” pocket hole screws (100 count box): amzn.to/3FKfikk
(6) 1 ¼” wood screws
1 ¼” long brad or finish nails
(32) ⅜″ x 1 ½″ dowel pins: amzn.to/4aFlgVg
Wood glue: amzn.to/34NCtuv
Gorilla Clear Grip Glue or other clear adhesive: amzn.to/4tABK9E
Edge banding (optional, but recommended): amzn.to/4azGdSN
(4) Pocket Door Hardware Kits with 12″ Slides (these come in packs of two, so for four doors, you'd need two sets): amzn.to/46cgm0v
Knobs/Pulls for Doors: amzn.to/4rjBkD4
Finish:
Minwax Weathered Oak Wood Stain: amzn.to/4bXGWOB
Minwax Polycrylic Semi Gloss: amzn.to/470JPe2
**CHAPTERS**
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Building the Bookshelf Body
03:44 Adding The Trim and The Top
04:39 Assembling the Door Frames
06:34 Finishing
07:11 Installing the Pocket Door Hardware
12:24 Adding the Acrylic to the Doors
13:22 Adding the Finishing Touches
15:17 Barrister Bookcase Final Reveal
Let's build a bookcase with pocket doors! This is what you call a barrister or a lawyer bookcase (so fancy!). The design itself is really pretty simple, but the addition of glass (or acrylic in this case) doors really adds to not only the looks, but also the function.
Use this for a bookcase, a linen cabinet, or even for clothes, purses, or shoes.
Grab the printable plans for this barrister bookcase: woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com/products/barrister-bookcase-building-plans
And check out additional project detail and more bookshelf ideas on my website: woodshopdiaries.com/diy-barrister-bookcase-with-pocket-doors
**Follow Woodshop Diaries On**
Website: woodshopdiaries.com
TikTok: tiktok.com/@woodshopdiaries?
Facebook: facebook.com/woodshopdiaries
Instagram: instagram.com/woodshopdiaries
Pinterest: pinterest.com/sharamccuiston
SHOP WOODWORKING TEES AND BUILDING PLANS HERE:
woodshop-diaries.myshopify.com
Helpful Resources To Use with This Project:
How to cut plywood: woodshopdiaries.com/cut-down-plywood-sheets-with-circular-saw
How to use a pocket hole jig: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-use-pocket-hole-jig
How to apply edge banding: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-cover-plywood-edges
How to build cabinet doors: youtu.be/1wKi7EO_g7A
How to stain wood: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-stain-wood-furniture
How to apply clear coat: woodshopdiaries.com/how-to-add-a-clear-finish-to-diy-furniture
How to adjust cabinet hinges: youtu.be/l06Up00YRU0
Tools & Materials
*affiliate links below
Tools:
Drill/Driver: amzn.to/4kdaGJz
Circular Saw: amzn.to/4b7kL8e
Kreg Rip Cut: amzn.to/4a7bHiG
Kreg AccuCut: amzn.to/4b9HD77
Miter Saw: homedepot.sjv.io/b3DkDx
Pocket Hole Jig: amzn.to/45pHpoN
Dowel Jig (⅜″ recommended): amzn.to/4rqUM0V
Router: amzn.to/4rYYL4n
⅜″ Rabbeting Bit: amzn.to/4s2EpaL
Chisel: amzn.to/46hTIUu
Brad or Finish nailer: homedepot.sjv.io/c/1404662/1354698/8154
Clamps (various)
Sander: SurfPrep Orbital Sander Used Here
Materials:
(1) 4’x8′ sheets ¾″ plywood (red oak used here--bought from Home Depot)
(1) 4’x8′ sheet ¼″ plywood (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(4) 1x2x6′ boards (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(4) 1x3x8′ boards (red oak used here--bought from Menards)
(2) 18″ x 24″ Acrylic Sheets (about ⅛″ thick): amzn.to/4qNtAIC
1 ¼” pocket hole screws (100 count box): amzn.to/3FKfikk
(6) 1 ¼” wood screws
1 ¼” long brad or finish nails
(32) ⅜″ x 1 ½″ dowel pins: amzn.to/4aFlgVg
Wood glue: amzn.to/34NCtuv
Gorilla Clear Grip Glue or other clear adhesive: amzn.to/4tABK9E
Edge banding (optional, but recommended): amzn.to/4azGdSN
(4) Pocket Door Hardware Kits with 12″ Slides (these come in packs of two, so for four doors, you'd need two sets): amzn.to/46cgm0v
Knobs/Pulls for Doors: amzn.to/4rjBkD4
Finish:
Minwax Weathered Oak Wood Stain: amzn.to/4bXGWOB
Minwax Polycrylic Semi Gloss: amzn.to/470JPe2
**CHAPTERS**
00:00 Introduction
00:19 Building the Bookshelf Body
03:44 Adding The Trim and The Top
04:39 Assembling the Door Frames
06:34 Finishing
07:11 Installing the Pocket Door Hardware
12:24 Adding the Acrylic to the Doors
13:22 Adding the Finishing Touches
15:17 Barrister Bookcase Final Reveal
