$20 Wood Floating Shelves

These shelves are super easy to build and really inexpensive as well. They can be stained, painted or left natural for whatever kind of decor suits your home. Open concept shelving is really popular and trendy right now. A great alternative to cabinets to add a bit of texture or character to any home.

Here is the shopping list for 3- 55 1/2" long floating shelves.

• 2- 1 x 10 x 10′- 2 shelf tops
• 1- 1 x 10 x 6′-1 shelf top
• 1- 2 x 3 x 10′- inside posts (12)
• 1- 2 x 3 x 10′- 2 cleats on wall
• 1- 2 x 3 x 6′- cleat on wall
• 1- 4′ x 8′ x 1/4″ plywood (you’ll have a lot of scrap left over, but I needed the length from the 8′ side)
• 1- 1 x 4 x 6′- side trim
• 1- 1 x 4 x 10′- 2 front trim
• 1- 1 x 4 x 6′- 1 front trim
• Kreg Jig 1 1/2" screws
• wood glue
• wood filler
• sand paper
• stain/paint

Here is the cut list.

• 12- 1" x 3" x 7.75" Inner shelf supports. 4 per shelf.
• 3- 1" x 3" x 54" wall cleats
• 3- 1" x 10" x 54" shelf tops
• 3- 1/4" x 9.25" x 54" plywood pieces. Shelf bottoms
• 3- 1" x 4" x 54" front face trim pieces
• 6- 1" x 4" x 10" side trim pieces

Using a Kreg Jig, drill pocket holes into the small inner support pieces. Then attach equilaterally along the back shelf support. This will give you the three inner support brackets that will make up the shelves.

Using a stud finder, mark the studs in the wall. Next, draw a level line to attach the support cleat to. Using 3 1/2" screws, attach each cleat to the wall. Pre-drill holes in the cleat before attaching to wall to ensure the wood does not split.

Using 2" brad nails, attach the top 1" x 10" x 54" piece of wood by nailing into the inner supports from the top. Do the same with the bottom 1/4" x 10" x 54" plywood bottom pieces. Add wood glue to the face sides to prepare to add the trim pieces.

Once you've applied the wood glue, using 2" brad nails, attach the front 1" x 4" x 54" pieces. Followed by the 1" x 4" x 10" side pieces in the same manner.

Fill all nail holes with stainable/paintable wood filler, wiping the excess off with a damp cloth. At this time, you may sand down the edges and any rough areas. If staining, I recommend dampening the entire shelf with water before applying stain. This will prepare the wood to take the stain evenly.