- Rip a strip of 3/4" plywood 11⅞" wide to make the shelves.
- Rip a second strip 12 1/8" to make the top and bottom shelves.
- Cut the other two strips into 30½-" pieces to make the top, bottom and two shelves.
How to build a simple shelf?
- Locate a wall stud and mark the location for the first shelf bracket on the wall. ...
- Install the bracket with screws that are long enough to penetrate the wall stud by at least an inch or so.
- Mark the location of the second stud. ...
- Install the second bracket with screws that are long enough to penetrate the wall stud by at least an inch or so.
How to make a fast and easy shelf?
Quick Cheap Easy Shelf!
- Step 1: Step 1: Material Required. I have added pictures of these 2 pieces that i used. ... In addition to the wood,...
- Step 2: Step 2: Cutting the Timber. I set up a stop block on the mitre saw to cut the overall depth I wanted the shelf...
- Step 3: Step 3: Assembling the Pieces. So with the angled pieces I cut, I added them to a top piece which...
How to make a homemade wooden shelf?
How to Make Simple Wood Shelves
- Stain Away! For the wood stain, I ended up using the color “Provincial” because it was a nice light brown that matched the color on Finn’s desk.
- Buy The Correct Brackets. I ended up buying these brackets for my simple wood shelves. ...
- Install the Shelves. ...
- Styling Time! ...
- Wood Shelves – Sources. ...
How do you make a hanging shelf?
Method 1 Method 1 of 2: Making a Single Hanging Shelf Download Article
- Measure the area where the shelf will hang. Take a measurement from the ceiling down to the place on the wall where you want the shelf to end.
- Drill four holes in your plank using a paper guide. Cut a piece of paper into a square with one and a half inches (38 mm) on each side.
- Sand, paint and distress your plank (if desired). ...
How do you make a homemade wood shelf?
0:184:08Tutorial - DIY Custom Wood Shelf - How to make - Built in ShelvesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipScrews. Once my walls were secure I lay it down and finish securing the last wall using the sameMoreScrews. Once my walls were secure I lay it down and finish securing the last wall using the same technique to add my Center panel I divide up the total width in half and marked all four sides.
Is it cheaper to build your own shelves?
Most of the time your DIY shelves will end up being cheaper if you build them right the first time and purchase your own materials. The best upside to building DIY shelves is that you will be able to customize the shelves for your space.
What material is best for making shelves?
Pine, birch and oak are three common woods used for building homemade bookshelves.Pine plywood is a lightweight softwood that is inexpensive. However, it is prone to knots and splitting. ... Birch plywood is a hardwood. ... Oak plywood is a heavy hardwood that lends a rustic and sturdy charm.
How do you make a custom shelf?
1:236:54How to Build a Custom Built-in Shelving Unit | House One - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo get started on the built-ins i ripped three quarter inch plywood into 16 inch wide strips. AndMoreTo get started on the built-ins i ripped three quarter inch plywood into 16 inch wide strips. And then cut them to length to create the sides shelves and cabinet dividers.
What is the cheapest way to make shelves?
0:153:04Easy DIY Inexpensive Wood Shelving - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis project is so easy to make you just take two by fours and screw one by three legs to the endsMoreThis project is so easy to make you just take two by fours and screw one by three legs to the ends to make the leg supports.
How thick should Wood be for shelves?
Plywood for shelves should be 3/4 inch thick or thicker. Standard sheets of plywood come in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, 5/8-inch, and 3/4-inch thicknesses. Plywood panels over 3/4 inch in thickness are usually special order products.
What type of wood is best for shelving?
The best wood for shelves is Mahogany, Red Oak, or Cherry. These three wood types are highly durable, making them ideal for cabinet use. If you are on a budget, we recommend Red Oak specifically.
How thick should plywood be for a shelf?
¾-inch plywood is considered the industry standard, thanks to it being strong yet inexpensive—especially when compared with some solid woods.
Can plywood be used for shelving?
Plywood is the industry standard for shelving, so it's a good choice for bookshelves.
How do you make floating wood shelves?
0:014:42How to Make Floating Shelves - DIY Wood Floating Shelves - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSupport we'll start by ripping a 2x4 down to two and a half inches wide on the table saw and if you'MoreSupport we'll start by ripping a 2x4 down to two and a half inches wide on the table saw and if you'd like a thinner shelf you can rip the board even narrower or use a standard two by two.
How do you build a free standing shelf?
0:151:21Quick and Easy Freestanding Garage Shelving - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen I just use self tapping screws to attach the legs to the Shelf supports. You'll need legMoreThen I just use self tapping screws to attach the legs to the Shelf supports. You'll need leg supports about every 6 feet or so I use 5 I then attach leg supports to the shelf. Boards.
How do you make plywood shelves?
1:096:50DIY Plywood Shelf | Home Organization Ideas - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust break down the edges get rid of any excess pieces and smooth over the sharp corners I startedMoreJust break down the edges get rid of any excess pieces and smooth over the sharp corners I started out by putting a thin layer of glue on each of the spacers.
How much does it cost to build a shelf?
Built-in Shelving CostsItemUnit CostLine CostMaterials: stronger woods that do not sag are the most affordable while premium or decorator materials are much higher in price.$70-$180 per linear foot$700-$1,800Labor (carpenter/installation)$70 per hour$840-$1,190Total Cost$154-$299 per linear foot$1,540-$2,990
How much would it cost to build a shelf?
Cost of Built-In ShelvesBuilt-In Bookcase CostNational average cost$3,500Average range$2,500-$5,000Low-end$800High-end$6,250Mar 30, 2022
How much does it cost to have a shelf built?
Custom Built-In Bookshelves Cost by MaterialMaterialPrice per Linear Foot, InstalledMetal$450 – $800Metal and Wood$450 – $1,000Hard Wood$500 – $1,000Glass$750 – $1,2003 more rows
What is the cheapest wood for shelves?
¾-inch plywood is considered the industry standard, thanks to it being strong yet inexpensive—especially when compared with some solid woods.
Hand-Built Wooden Floating Shelves
Incorporate floating shelves to your interior spaces as they make the wall space appear bigger and stylish as well! Floating shelves would be a great choice if someone is really willing to display his decors and gifts in a ultimate stylish ways! Install these wooden floating shelves for free just by having a short wood supply in hands! Here is the complete tutorial shanty-2-chic.
Handcrafted Bathroom Floating Shelves
Bring style to your bathroom and also a rustic vibe by mounting these rustic floating shelves there! Make access to free and old wood and just clone these floating shelves with the help of this tutorial misadventuresofthecranes
Recycled Wood Floating Shelves
Spice up the boring interior of home by building some artistic shelves there! Choose these floating wooden shelves that come with beautifully inserted drawers, so will also enhance the storage space of that particular interior! Build these shelves for free using old wood from home or the shipping pallets! Step-by-step tutorial here notjustahousewife.
Chic White Nursery Room Bookshelves
Bring both elegance and style to kids rooms by installing these nursery wall shelves! Keep a stock of healthy looking wooden lengths to clone these shelves! An enchanting way to display kids stuff especially the books! Full details and guide here mekhart
Handmade Chalkboard Cubby Shelf
Another outstanding multipurpose wall shelf idea! This shelf is a coat rack, a display unit and a noticeboard at the same time! Copy it using old wood from home trash store and finish it with a chalkboard background! Built-in cubbies will give your so many choices to organize your stuff neatly! Full guide here ana-white
Stacked End Table Wall Shelf
See here a distinguish functional role of an old end table, makes elegant stacked wall shelves! Cut your old end table in halves and simply put together in tiered arrangements against any wall and secure them in place! Full guide and tutorial here infarrantlycreative
Self-Made Art Style Corner Shelves
If you all strive for the uniqueness and style, then this amazing corner shelving scheme are sure to win your heart! Install the primary block style frame using single wooden lengths, combine them together according to your plan using necessary hardware! Final step would be to fill up the frame solid with extra wood for smooth and flat shelf surfaces as you can see! Complete step-by-step guide here imgur.
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About This Article
This article was co-authored by Pete Sveen. Pete Sveen is a DIY enthusiast based in Montana. He creates and shares inspiring video tutorials on building projects, from furniture construction to metalworking. His YouTube channel, DIY Pete, has over 240,000 subscribers. This article has been viewed 1,196,350 times.
Belt on a Shelf
Want to show off a few small items? This belt shelf from Ronja, the blogger behind Nur Noch, is a smart idea that's cheap and easy to create. All you need is a wood board and an old suede or leather belt. In this instance, Ronja used an Ivar shelf that she picked up at Ikea for less than $5.
Cheese Box Shelving
Carrie of Curb to Refurb has a knack for recycling found objects into stunning home furnishings. She created this stylish round shelf using a discarded cheese box. To find a similar box for free, visit your local gourmet store. Stores generally discard such boxes after unpacking the cheeses.
Wood Slices
Becky of Flipping the Flip created this rustic shelf using wedge slices from a tree trunk she found in the park. The keyhole brackets used to hang it cost her only 99 cents. This kind of wedge slice is cut out of the trunk whenever a tree trimmer is cutting down a tree.
Dresser Drawers
If you have a dresser you no longer need, you can follow what Emily from Namely Original did. Emily created these adorable DIY shelves using dresser drawers that she purchased from a resale shop. Locate wall studs using a stud finder, and then attach the drawers by driving fasteners through their bottoms and into the studs.
Wood Tray
Ronja from Nur Noch transformed a wood tray into a smart shelf. The project begin with sawing the tray in half lengthwise using a circular saw. Then, one short end is cut off each tray half. Finally, the cut ends are joined together to form a long, narrow shelf.
Craft Boxes
Carrie from Making Lemonade created a stunning shelving display using customizable paper mache boxes. Carrie spray painted the boxes gold and then screwed them into the wall after playing with placement for a bit. Finally, Carrie used gold scrapbook paper on the shelf backs to cover up the screws.
Apple Crates
You won't need more closet space if you have a dozen apple crates. Ronja from Nur Noch created these DIY shelves using old crates that she painted white and then fastened to a wall. A similar shelving style can be created from peach crates or any other wooden produce container.
What Are Floating Shelves?
Floating shelves (also known as wall shelves) are pieces of wood attached directly to your wall, so that no hardware is visible holding them up, making them appear like they are “floating” against your wall.
What Materials Do You Need to Build Floating Shelves?
Building floating shelves is a pretty straightforward task, as long as you have the right tools and materials. You can use various sizes and thicknesses of wood planks. To build a floating shelf, you’ll need these materials:
How to Measure and Cut the Wood for Your Floating Shelf
Before you can assemble your floating shelf, you need to measure and cut your wood. You can cut your wood to whatever size you desire, but the example below is for a 2” x 3” floating shelf.
How to Assemble Your DIY Floating Shelf in 6 Steps
Award-winning designer Kelly Wearstler teaches you interior design techniques to make any space more beautiful, creative, and inspiring.
A floating shelf is strong, quick to build, with no visible supports and made from only two parts
These shelves are handsome, easy to build and inexpensive. And they're strong even though they have no visible supports. They appear to float on the wall, no clunky hardware or brackets. We made them from only two parts—half of a hollow core door and a 2x4.
Materials, Tools and Design Options
These floating wall shelves are perfect for displaying your collectibles, photos, travel mementos or just about anything. Without the brackets and clunky hardware you’d find with store-bought shelves or kits, they seem to be suspended in midair. These floating shelves are strong, too.
Step by Step Building Instructions & How to Hang Floating Shelves Without Brackets
Trace the horizontal location for each shelf using a 4 ft. level as your guide. Use a stud finder to mark the locations of the studs and lightly press masking tape over each one. If you don’t have a string line, use a long straightedge and mark the wall with a pencil. Check your marks for long wall shelf with the 4 ft. level.
Required Tools for this Project
Have the necessary tools for this DIY floating shelves project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.
Required Materials for this DIY Floating Wall Shelves Project
Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.
Project overview of built in bookshelves
Measure the width of your room and the height of the ceiling. Also check the window placement. Our room was almost 12 ft. wide with an 8-ft. ceiling, and the window was very close to the center. If there’s no window, just build the built in bookshelves into the center section. Find more bookshelf plans and designs that you’ll want to see.
The sandwich-style partitions
Glue and nail the plywood sides (B) to straight 2x6s (A) ripped to 4 in. wide. Leave a 2-in. gap at the back and a 3/4-in. gap in the front. Next, glue and nail the front 3/4-in. plywood piece (C) so it’s flush with the sides. Make all four partitions exactly alike and be sure the pieces are all cut 1-1/4 in. less than your ceiling height.
Save time: Preassemble the shelves while the glue sets for the partitions
Glue and nail 1/2-in. thick hardwood strips on the backside of the shelf (E) and 1-1/8 in. decorative molding to the front (F). An 18-gauge air nailer is worth buying or renting for this task.
Trace the curved brackets using the grid method
Trace the brackets (K) from the dimensional grid in Fig. A and cut them out carefully with a jigsaw. Sand the curve smooth with 100-grit sandpaper followed by 150-grit sandpaper.
The partition faces are like super-narrow face frames on cabinets
Cut the long stiles (G) of the face frame and nail them with 8d finish nails to the short rails (H and J). Use a drill bit to make a pilot hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the nail. Set the nails and fill the recesses with matching putty later.
Glue and screw the partition cleats to your wall
Fasten the wall cleats to your drywall with wall anchors and construction adhesive. We used a screw-in anchor with a 3-in. No. 8 deck screw. Use a level to get the first cleat perfectly plumb, then use your tape measure to place the remaining cleats.
Slip the partitions over the wall cleats and screw them into place
Fasten the partitions to the cleats with 2-in. screws (3 and 6 in. from the ceiling and the floor, respectively). They’ll be hidden later by the upper soffit and lower base of the bookcase. Use a framing square to make sure the partitions are square to the back wall, then fasten them to the ceiling cleat with 2-in. steel angle supports.