Hi friends! I’m so excited to share the story behind my DIY floating shelves project and walk you through how you can make your own. I’ve always loved the clean, modern look of floating shelves, but finding ones that fit my space and budget was a challenge. So, I decided to make them myself!
These shelves are not just a great way to add storage—they’re completely customizable and super satisfying to create. Let me tell you how I did it so you can give it a try too!
What You’ll Need [EVERYTHING LINKED HERE]
Here’s what I used to build my floating shelves:
½" birch plywood
1x3 pine boards
Wood glue
Nails
Sandpaper
Wood conditioner
Stain (choose your favorite finish!)
Screws
Drill
Circular saw or table saw
Miter saw
Step 1: Cut the Plywood
I started by cutting my ½" birch plywood into the sizes I needed for each shelf (the tops and bottoms). I used a circular saw and Kreg jig to make clean, precise cuts. If you’re doing this, take your time measuring and marking the wood—it makes everything easier later on. Mine were cut to 6.5"x16"
Step 2: Miter the Pine Edges
Next, I cut the edges of my 1x3 pine boards at a 45-degree angle to create a mitered frame for the shelves. This step gives the shelves a seamless, polished look.
Step 3: Assemble the Shelf Boxes
Here’s where it started coming together! I applied wood glue along the mitered edges of the pine boards and attached them to the plywood base. Then, I secured everything with nails to make sure the shelves were sturdy. Helpful tip: wipe any excess glue before it dries--it can be tough to sand off and will destroy your stain finish if any is left behind.
Step 4: Make Wall Brackets
To hang the shelves, I cut1x2 pine boards and screwed them together to create wall brackets that slide into the shelf opening on the back. These are what keep the shelves securely attached to the wall.
To attach the bracket to the wall, first predrill your holes in the 1x2s to prevent them from splitting when the screw is inserted. I also used drywall anchors to ensure these are strong enough to withstand some weight without ripping from the wall.
Step 5: Sand, Condition, and Stain
Sanding is my least favorite part, but it’s so important for a smooth finish! Once everything was sanded, I applied wood conditioner to prep the wood for staining. Then, I chose a warm, rich stain to match my decor and let it dry completely. I went with Early American and Simply White by Minwax.
Step 6: Slide the Shelves Onto the Brackets
Finally, I slid the shelf boxes onto the brackets. Seeing them fit snugly and look so polished was the best part of the whole project! I ran a small bead of wood glue over the brackets before sliding the shelves on to ensure they weren't budging.
The Final Result
I’m obsessed with how these shelves turned out. They’re the perfect mix of stylish and functional, and I love knowing I made them myself.
Now it’s your turn! If you’ve been thinking about adding floating shelves to your home, I hope this tutorial inspires you to dive in. Let me know how your shelves turn out in the comments—I’d love to see your projects!
Happy DIYing, friends!
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