For this hack, you’ll need two wooden slabs or more, depending on how many shelves you want (which you can cut from a larger wooden slab), a tape measure, some wood stain, which you can grab off Amazon for $8.47, or paint if you prefer, a saw, and a brad nailer. To begin the process, you’ll first need to remove the “insides” of the clock, including the weight, pendulum, and chains, if they’re still in there. Once they’re removed, you can take your tape measure and plan out the dimensions for your wood pieces that will sit inside your grandfather clock, sawing them to the appropriate size. Now all you have to do is secure them in place using your brad nailer, ensuring you leave enough space between each shelf for the items you want.

When that’s done, you can move on to painting the inside with your wood stain, ensuring that you spread it evenly throughout for a satisfying finish, covering the undersides and top of your shelves, as well as the other areas, such as the back and sides. Once it’s dry, you can add your books, even implementing some bookends if necessary. If you don’t have enough books to fill the space, you can always add other items, such as plants or ornaments.