DIY FLOATING SHELVES
Last week I shared the changes I made to our dated corner cabinet space. After having the cabinet removed, I added new flooring, new trim and shiplapped the walls….oh, and I went a little crazy painting everything black. 🙂
Now to make this space pop! Let’s add some DIY floating shelves. These are so simple to build…Let’s get started….
First and foremost, I measured the space and determined that I wanted 5 shelves evenly spaced from one another. I also knew I wanted them all placed within the black shiplap wall area. Now onto the build!
HOW TO DIY FLOATING SHELVES
Materials Needed:
2×4’s (Amount needed is dependent on size of space and the width you’ve chosen for your shelves)
4×8 Sheet of plywood (Amount needed is once again dependent on shelf dimensions)
1×4 pinewood (Amount needed depends on shelf dimensions)
Tools Needed:
Table Saw or Circular Saw
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Step One: Build Supports
I chose to rip my 2×4’s down to 2×3’s, but this step is not necessary. All of your supports will be covered with plywood, so they will not be visible.
Cut a 2×4 (for each shelf) the length you’ve chosen for your shelf. This will be your stretcher.
Cut 2×4’s to the remaining width of the shelf. These will be your cleats. Add 1 1/2″ pocket holes to one end of each cleat….
Attach (using 2 1/2″ pocket hole screws) to the 2×4 stretcher, spacing each cleat out about 12″….
Step Two: Cut Spacers
Once you’ve figured out the spacing for each shelf, cut scrap wood to serve as your spacers between each shelf. These will be used to place your supports on top of, so that gravity doesn’t work against you and you can easily screw the support into the wall….
Step Three: Attach Supports to Wall
Now you’re ready to attach your supports to the wall. Use your spacers to set the support on as you work your way up the wall. Attach each support with 2 1/2″ screws.
Be sure to use a level to ensure each support is straight…
Step Four: Face Supports with Plywood
Cut plywood to fit across the full span of your bottom support….
Cut your spacers just enough to fit the bottom sheet of plywood to the underside of the support. Once again, this is to help you work against gravity and will make it easier to attach the underside plywood, while the spacer is holding it up for you….
Work your way up the wall, facing the top and bottom of each support, using 1 1/2″ screws….
Step Five: Face Front of Supports with 1×4’s
Rip 1×4’s to cover perfectly the fronts of each support. Cut to fit and attach with 1 1/2″ screws…
Work your way up the wall covering the front of each support…
Step Six: Finish Work
Here comes the fun part. Well, almost…first, fill in all of your nail holes with wood filler and sand down when dry. Then you’re ready for stain! I chose Varathane Golden Oak stain for mine! It’s my go-to stain for everything! So Good!!
Decorating shelves is my nemesis. Especially wide shelves like these. So after a few tries…
Nope! That’s not it!
That’s better! But still need to make some changes! Which I’ll share with you next week!
But for now, I love how these floating shelves opened up the space and just make the room feel bigger. To finish the look, I ordered a couple chairs to create a new sitting area in front of our huge picture windows. Such a cozy space….
These chairs are the perfect addition to this space…
Until next week,
Happy Building, Friend!!
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Oldie but Goodie RL Posts:
Easy How to Build Floating Shelves
Easy How to Build a Bench Seat with Lockers
How to Build a Faux Wood Beam Mantel
