I have been building floating shelves for ten years. I've built floating shelves all different ways - this is my very BEST floating shelf tutorial.
It's easy to build, even for beginners, and uses only a drill and a brad nailer (no pocket holes). You can build and finish it on your workbench - and installing the floating shelves is easy too! Step by step plans with diagrams and materials lists.
Floating shelves add an architectural element to your home, and also give you space to store and display favorite things. We love wood floating shelves, white floating shelves, kitchen floating shelves - whether your style is modern or farmhouse, floating shelves can work in your home!
In this tutorial, we make floating shelves as easy as possible to build.
- You won't need any special tools or a ton of building experience to whip these floating shelves out
- You can build, paint or stain, right in your garage, then just hang on the wall
- You can easily customize the length and depth to fit your needs
- Beautiful in both a painted or stained finish
Floating Shelf Strength
To test the strength of my floating shelves, I placed 10 pound weights per every foot of shelf and left overnight.
The floating shelf did not change and remained sturdy and strong.
Video Tutorial
For my most recent floating shelf build in our bathroom, I filmed the process and created a video tutorial. There's lots of tips and tricks, so please watch before you build.
How to Make Floating Shelves
Preparation
- 1x4, 1x6, 1x8 or 1x10 shelf top board in desired length of shelf, minus 1-1/2"
- 1x4 long enough to go all the way around your 1x shelf top board
- 2x3 or 2x4 - inside support pieces
- 1/4" plywood, same size as your shelf top board
- #8 2-1/2" to 3" long self tapping wood screws (like these from Home Depot)
- 3/4" and 1-1/4" brad nails
Instructions
Step 1
Cut your shelf top board to the desired length of your shelf, MINUS 1-1/2".
Cut 1x4 end pieces to match the width of your shelf top board.
Use glue and 1-1/4" brad nails to attach the 1x4 end pieces to the shelf top board. All outside edges are flush.
Step 2
Cut 1x4 front and back pieces to match the shelf length.
Attach front of shelf with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.
For back of shelf, for extra strength, you can attach with 2-1/2" self tapping screws and glue, or use nails.
Step 3
Cut 2x boards to match the width of your shelf top board.
For 2x3s, set inside the shelf, making sure there is 1/4" gap on top for the 1/4" plywood.
Attach from back with glue and 2-1/2" screws and from front with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.
If using 2x4s OR 2x3s are too big to leave the 1/4" gap, turn the 2x board flat side up, and attach set down 1/4" from the top (as done in the video) with screws on the back side and 1-1/4" brad nails on the front side.
Place a support about every 12" and one on or near each end.
Avoid placing supports where studs in walls are located in the final hanging location.
Cut 1/4" plywood with a circular saw or tablesaw. Make sure it easily fits inside the floating shelf. Paint or stain the floating shelf and the 1/4" plywood panel and let dry.
Step 4
Locate studs in wall and hang the floating shelf through the back 1x4 board into studs in the walls using 2-1/2" or longer self tapping screws.
If you are attaching the 1/4" plywood to the bottom, hang the highest shelf first, complete the next step, than hang the next lower shelf.
If you are attaching the 1/4" plywood to the top, hange the lowest shelf first, complete the next step, than hang the next higher shelf.
Step 5
Place the 1/4" plywood panel inside the floating shelf and use the 3/4" nails to secure.
Touch up paint or stain as needed to finish the floating shelf.
Comments
GreenerLinen (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 05:21
So cool! I love crossovers!
So cool! I love crossovers! I'd already devoured the YHL post when this showed up in my RSS feed. Keep up the good work!
Chelsea (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 05:22
Thank you so much for these
Thank you so much for these plans, Ana! I've been wanting some big floating shelves like that for awhile now, but don't live anywhere near an Ikea. So thank you!! They look awesome!
danas
Mon, 07/01/2013 - 06:18
I agree with you Chelsea, the
I agree with you Chelsea, the plans are amazing. Floating shelves look very modern and don't take any space on the ground which is very important if you have a small apartment as I do. Great tips.
Regards,
Dana
opciones binarias
danas
Mon, 07/01/2013 - 06:19
I agree with you Chelsea, the
I agree with you Chelsea, the plans are amazing. Floating shelves look very modern and don't take any space on the ground which is very important if you have a small apartment as I do. Great tips.
Regards,
Dana
opciones digitales
Susan (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 05:50
LOL! I've only just now
LOL! I've only just now realized that you are several time zones away from me and not just a night owl! I hope I'm not this dense once I start actually trying to follow your plans ;)
Cheryl (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 06:13
I'm so happy the youngsters
I'm so happy the youngsters featured you on their blog again! I started following your blog after YHL posted something about Knock-Off Wood back in January. Thank you for doing all of this, Ana! You are so inspirational.
EmileeHope (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 07:42
I am in love with the
I am in love with the adorable wood elephant on your top shelf! Too cute!! (Oh, and great job on the shelves too!)
Shanna (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 08:11
I absolutely love your blgo!
I absolutely love your blgo! Especially since you're so skilled at SketchUp! Kudos to you! Keep up the amazing work! You're an absolute inspiration to me!
Lizzy @ Lizzy … (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 08:41
So great! I have never done
So great! I have never done any carpentry, but one day I might just try these shelves, thank you! :)
Nichole (not verified)
Wed, 04/14/2010 - 09:21
YES!!! I was just about to
YES!!! I was just about to visit Ikea and buy a set of floating shelves for my dining room. But when I opened your website today and saw this, I changed my mind. Looks like I'm going to make a trip to Home Depot instead :-)