Haley Simple Shelves

Difficulty
Beginner Projects
| Print this plan

Free plans to make simple shelves from Ana-White.com

Sometimes you just want a simple wood wall shelf. But your budget's closer to $10 than $79 dollars.  

Well, do not despair.  I promise you, you can have it all, without going broke!

My friend Jaime and I teamed up to make these beautiful solid wood wall shelves for just $11 dollars each for 3 foot long!  The shelves are super easy to make and you can stain or paint them any color you like!

Seriously, friends don't let friends go out and spend 5 or 10 times as much on something they could make quickly and easily.  I certainly can't let you do that!

We've got the full step by step plans following, please check them out.  But first, please stop over and read through Jaime's post and see lots more pictures on how she put her shelves together and hung them.

  Thank you so much Jaime!

PS - Jaime's got a new batch of work aprons up for spring!

Perfect for Mother's Day!

Dimensions
Dimensions shown above. Can be modified to longer lengths up to 4 feet. Any longer and I recommend more supports - or just building smaller shelves side by side.

Preparation

Shopping List

1 - 1x8 @ desired length of shelf
1 - 1x4 @ desired length of shelf MINUS 5 1/2"
1 - 1x6 @ 12"

NOTE: Can be put together with pocket holes, countersunk screws or nails and glue

Cut List

1 - 1x8 @ desired length of shelf
1 - 1x4 @ desired length of shelf MINUS 5 1/2"
2 - 1x6 @ 6"

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Jigsaw
Brad Nailer
Drill Bit Set
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Attach back to sides. If using pocket holes, also drill pocket holes facing upward for attaching top in later steps.

Step 2

Next, attach top to sides and back.

When you hang, you can hang directly through back 1x4 into studs in walls.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

Juanita_r

Mon, 02/18/2013 - 21:06

Love the little shelf, what a bargain!!! I just tried to get one of the aprons, but they are all (except for the orange one...not and orange kinda girl) coming up as sold out!!! Are they really gone already!!! Talk about a red hot item!!! ;-)

balloongal247

Fri, 05/16/2014 - 09:09

This plan only has Step 2 and Step 3... Where's step 1? I assume step 1 would be drilling all the pocket holes into the wall side of the back board, and hanging holes if desired, and tracing the pattern for the supports and jigsawing it out... Maybe it's missing two steps then... I guess the pocket holes are just a side note in step 2.