A little progress update. I decided it was time to get after this. I shopped around thrift stores a bit trying to find the bookshelf and as much other stuff as I could, used. I found a little, ok bookshelf and a wicker basket that I'm kind of building stuff around. Unfortunately our local recycled building material store is closed right now for renovations. Bad timing.
Not completely sure of the wisdom of buying two cheap things at the thrift store that I only "kind of" like, and building the rest of it around them...but either way, this set up will work and I can fit other stuff in there later if I find anything better.
I'm going to probably stain everything a pretty dark color, just because I like contrast. Then I found an old, worn fence board in the shed of my friends house I'm living in, and I'll use it on the face of some of this stuff. Should have a look kind of like old barn wood.
The wicker basket will have just a small lip in front of it, holding it from sliding out while I drive, but allowing me to slide it out if I want something in there. I like that I'll be able to see what's it in.
The little shelf above it will be for sun hats.
Kind of just seeing how high I want the bookshelf. Probably just a couple inches higher. That way there should be very little wasted space above it, and I can still stuff some things underneath it.