DIY bracketless shelving is a stylish and budget-friendly way to accessorize your home.
Here’s our easy guide for how to build your own.
Who needs built-ins when you’re able to create your own storage instead?
Photo: Caylin Harris
It’s a win for rooms that are short on square footageyou can utilize vertical space instead.
The steps below will teach you how to build floating shelves with as little pain as possible.
Cut your board down to size and gather materials.
Caylin Harris
You’ll want to customize the size to fit the space you plan to hang them.
We cut ours to 25 inches per shelf.
Notch the back of each shelf to accommodate the hardware.
Caylin Harris
Create a notch using a hand router so that the hardware will fit in the back of each shelf.
If you use the hardware we recommend, the notch should be a 1/2 inch deep per the instructions.
If you use different pieces, follow those instructions.
Caylin Harris
The holes here are 4 inches deep, but follow the instructions on your hardware.
Using a paddle bit will make it easier to accurately start each hole.
Sand and stain (or paint) the wood.
Caylin Harris
In a well-ventilated area, sand any rough edges on each shelf.
Wipe off any extra sawdust, then apply your favorite stain or paint.
The beauty of painting them yourself?
Caylin Harris
You get a more customized look than if you’d bought floating shelves premade from a store.
Get creative and use reclaimed wood or make pallet floating shelves for a weathered look.
If you want your stained shelves to be glossy, cover them with a coat of polyurethane lacquer.
Let all pieces dry completely.
Hang the shelves.
Once the shelves are dry, it’s time to install your hardware.
Use a level to ensure each shelf is straight.
Once the hardware is on the wall, slip your shelves (via their drilled holes) into place.
