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PDF versionHad to add a new photo taken in natural light, same camera, same shelf, same room.
And here's what the shelf looks like with a 300 watt bulb after 3PM in Alaska in December :(
What makes a good plan in my opinion? A project that is easy to build, saves you money, requires few tools, can be done in a short amount of time, and utlizes materials well. It doesn't get much better than this. With just five feet of board (I used a 1x6, about $4 in lumber), five simple tools (measuring tape, jigsaw, screwgun, level and a paint brush) and for me, just five minutes of building, you can have a shelf exactly like mine. But here's the big let down. There are only four ways you can hang this shelf.
Like I hung mine . . . great for leaning books on the ends . . .
Or flipped around . . .
Or how about this way . . .
or this way? OR . . . you could make a couple more . .
And make a whole system. Unlimited possibilities. Want more ideas? Check out what West Elm does with their modular shelf. Really makes me want to build all kinds of interesting shelves in my office . . . or even in Grace's room. Or make shelves to give as gifts. You still have time to make these as gifts.
Shopping List
- 1 - 1x6 board, 5 feet long
- 2 metal angles like these - they are just used to hang the shelves on the wall - don't need anything fancy here. Check the hardware aisle.
- 3/4" screws (you will only need 4 - two for each metal brace)
- 2" screws (for attaching to the wall, use a dry wall anchoring system if you can't locate a stud or wish to place the shelf not on a stud)
Cut List
- 1 - 1x6 @ 36"
- 1 - 1x6 @ 15"
- 1 - 1x6 @ 9"
Step 1: Notch Boards
Measure and mark the boards as shown above. Carefully cut the notches out with the jigsaw. I make the side cuts first, then go back and make a curved cut from the side to the opposite corner, and then go back and cut to the remaining corner.
Step 2: Assemble
Now at this stage, you really want to test the fit. Make sure the boards fit together snug. Pull apart and apply glue. Reassemble and adjust for square and let the glue dry.
Step 3: Hanging
Now use the metal angle braces to hang the shelves as you would any picture or shelf. If you cannot locate a stud in the wall, you can use a drywall anchoring system. Also, if you are planning on storing little weight (less than 16 pounds total) you can use Command strips from 3M - that's what's holding my shelves up!
Finish
There were no visible holes, so I simply sanded and applied two coats of paint with primer in high gloss white. The finish is very hard to see in this photo because of the lighting conditions up here in Alaska right now, but it's definitely got that sleek modern West Elm look! Enjoy!
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Very cute - though you
Very cute - though you *could* hang it five ways - on an angle to sorta resemple a check-mark and use for cd's... then you can see the labels without turning your head sidways!
I Love it! Perfect for my
I Love it! Perfect for my kitchen! Thanks!
I agree!! Perfect for a
I agree!! Perfect for a kitchen----I see cookbooks on it!
I imagine you could, but
I imagine you could, but asking just in case. Could you make both of the sides equal, so that it had a look of symmetry? Thanks for the plans! My kids are both getting beds for Christmas that my husband and I built. I will post pics when they are complete!
Sweet! I'm thinking display
Sweet! I'm thinking display space in the living room. Kind of like the wall of shelves in the West Elm catalog. Ana, totally off topic, but are you Filipina? Just curious :)
My husband built something
My husband built something similar to this for my son to put his Transformers on.
Actually, you COULD hang it
Actually, you COULD hang it diagonally - particularly with the largest protrusion as the "bottom". Then, you would have 5 ways to hang it. :)
Absolutely! Can't wait to
Absolutely! Can't wait to see your beds, and I hope you make these shelves. So fun and easy!
Ana, very nice as always, but
Ana, very nice as always, but am a bit confused on the upright cut 2 1/2 inches deep and the shelf 3 inches deep will they line up?
jim
Yes they should, The plans
Yes they should, The plans call for 1x6's which (usually) only measure 5.5 inches. Of course measure your boards first to make sure and make adjustments as necessary :)
I don't have a pantry, I've
I don't have a pantry, I've been using one of my cabinets, I was thinking open pantry? :)
Yes, yes, yes!!! I about
Yes, yes, yes!!! I about jumped up and down when I saw this shelf! I need several shelves in our daughter's bedroom for her books and had an idea very similar to this one, but was waiting on my husband to make them. (He is the one with all the measurement skills and brains to figure things out.) Now I can do it myself -- all because of you!! Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!! :-)
Jim - The sum of the two
Jim - The sum of the two slots should equal the width a single board of the pair (if they are equal)
For the strongest joint, make them approximately equal depths.
I have so many scraps and
I have so many scraps and have been reviewing ways of using them as opposed to not. Cool idea Ana!
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G so simple but
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G so simple but sooo classy This is my kind of project.
I may have to build a bigger house any plans for that Ana?
How many command strips did
How many command strips did you use to hold it up? I love this, it will perfect above the changing table in my babies' room!
This looks like a great idea
This looks like a great idea for both of my kids rooms, but I am curious about the visibility of the metal bracket. Any suggestions for hiding it? Great plan!
I feel silly asking this but
I feel silly asking this but I am an newbie at building... so how do you hide the metal brackets if you don't used command strips?
Jennifer, what I would do is
Jennifer, what I would do is look for the teeny tiny ones and then use them on top side in plain sight where you know a frame or some other object will cover them :)
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