With their sleek silhouette and concealed supports, a floating shelf can add some serious style to any room. Display framed photos, sculptural modern vases or decorative plants for a stylish, minimal aesthetic.
Before beginning, locate and mark wall studs using your stud finder and level. This will make screwing in shelving hardware much simpler later.
Step 1: Measure and Cut
Walls can often go unnoticed in rooms, yet they provide much-needed storage and display space for home goods and decor. From studio apartments to sprawling mansions, there's only so much floor space available for furniture and accessories - wall shelves provide additional levels of storage to hold onto all your favorite pieces!
To create the ideal shelving, first measure your space and locate the studs using a stud finder. When they have been found, mark their position with pencil on the wall using a level to ensure they remain level.
Next, measure from floor to top of wall the height of your shelves by taking measurements from their bases up. As this measurement will also affect frame sizes and their placement on shelves, it is imperative that it is done accurately.
Once your desired shelf height has been decided upon, cut wood for each frame accordingly. Be sure to cut along all four sides so there are no raw edges visible when finished - rounding each inside edge will give the shelf an elegant and polished look.
To provide a lightweight hold, panel pins can be fitted through each end of a shelf and into side battens for quick and easy securing against walls; for a stronger hold you could use a drill to screw each end down into 1x2 support battens instead.
Depending on your preference, when installing back supports, either square cut frames may be fitted against the wall for a sleek appearance, or can be cut at an angled angle so when seen from behind, their front edges recede into the alcove wall.
Before mounting shelves to the wall, it is a good idea to test them on a piece of scrap wood so you can ensure they are properly supported and stable. This can save both time and frustration in the long run while assuring they are safe to hang.
Step 2: Build the Frame
After measuring and cutting your shelf frame pieces to size, sand all edges to remove any rough spots or rough corners. At this stage, it would also be wise to make pilot holes or pocket holes using your drill in each piece - this will help prevent splitting when screwing into it later.
Locate wall studs using a stud finder where you wish to mount shelves. Studs typically sit 16 inches apart. Mounting shelves incorrectly could cause them to shift over time and even collapse over time.
Once studs are marked, cut two 1 x 3 pieces to fit your shelf support length and screw them together at both ends of the frame. When this step is complete, cut front and optional sides from select pine wood that match up perfectly with your shelf size, cut them out from within your frame, sand them all, sand again before staining or painting them as soon as you can!
Remind yourself that floating shelves must support a considerable amount of weight before selecting one for display purposes. If you plan on placing books, pots and pans, or any other heavy objects onto them, choose a shelf with at least a 25-pound capacity to ensure smooth use - for decorative items and lighter weight items this would suffice, while for heavy storage needs 40 pounds is the ideal capacity limit.
If you want your shelves to look more tailored and less bulky on the wall, try adding a recessed back. It will not only add a nice accent but will help prevent too much bulk from showing from behind them.
Before installing shelves, be sure to read and follow any recommended weight limits listed on the package for bracket screws, to make sure they can support the weight you expect them to. If unsure, test with lighter items until you determine their maximum capacity.
Once your shelves have been assembled and sanded, apply a coat of stain or paint, allowing it to dry completely before applying a clear finish over top to protect from scuffing and water damage.
Step 3: Attach the Shelf
Once your cut pieces and frame have been assembled, it's time to fasten the shelves to them. Be sure the back of each shelf is attached securely to either a wall stud (or drywall anchor). Screws driven directly into drywall may compromise strength and stability of your shelves; to find these studs easily use a stud finder before drilling and fastening screws into them.
Before painting or staining your new shelf, it's also advisable to sand the wood surface. This helps smooth away rough edges and prepares it for paint or stain application; be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area as breathing in any dust or fumes may increase risk.
If you opt for a painted finish, it is recommended to apply two or three even layers of the paint or stain for maximum coverage and durability. Furthermore, using a primer before applying your top coat may help prevent peeling or bubbling after several months of wear and tear.
Staining shelves gives walls an aged and rustic aesthetic while giving you the freedom to choose a custom color that complements your decor.
Once your shelf is assembled, simply slide it over the cleat and drive one final screw into its base to secure it in place. And that's it - now sit back and admire all your hard work!
Floating shelves make an elegant yet simple addition to any room, providing the perfect canvas for photos or art prints to hang. While you might be tempted to simply display photos or art prints on them, why not put your floating shelves to use as part of an artistic gallery wall instead? By using neutral backdrops for artwork along with woven baskets, plants, and wooden statement corners - you can create an eye-catching design that looks like it belongs in its natural surroundings.
Step 4: Paint
Shelf ledges with lips can be used to lean framed artwork or photographic prints against the wall for an art gallery-esque display, creating an effortless lived-in aesthetic or evenly spacing them out for a modern minimalist aesthetic. You could also use them as supports for decorative bowls or candle holders.
Before beginning to construct your floating shelves, take the time to give them a fresh coat of paint. Select colors that complement the rest of your home and don't be afraid to try different hues; for a rustic aesthetic try natural wood like oak or pine; for sleek modern aesthetics opt for white or gray finishes instead.
To create the desired appearance for floating shelves, it's crucial to properly sand down their wooden surfaces prior to painting them. After applying one coat of paint across all three parts of the shelf - back, top and front - allow it to dry before adding additional coats if necessary (you may require two). Eventually the colors should appear even and opaque enough.
If you want to increase the durability of your shelf, stain it with wood stain - just be sure to follow manufacturer's directions so it doesn't peel or fade over time!
Add some flair to your shelves by decorating them with photos or other personal objects - just be sure they're secured properly so they don't come tumbling off the wall!
Before cutting, always measure twice and cut with care to avoid errors that could delay or ruin your project. If you don't own a circular saw yourself, consider renting one from a full-service lumberyard so your cut can be as precise and clean as possible.
Once your frame is completed, it's time to install your shelves. Use a stud finder and pencil to locate wall studs before using a hammer and nail gun to install cleats - once these have been attached you can slide your shelf box onto them and securely fasten it using screws or fasteners - giving your DIY shelves their final touches! Now get decorating!