Christmas without a mantle requires some creativity. Where do you put your decor and stockings? Don't worry, this simple, modern wall shelf is the solution. Hang your stockings and show off your Christmas village and decor all in one project. Plus, when the holiday is over, it's still in style.
Tools
Kreg Tools
Other Tools
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Miter Saw
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Tape Measure
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Drill (cordless)
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Sander
Materials
Wood Products
- 1 Board , 1x8 , 96"
- 1 Board , 1x2 , 48"
Hardware & Supplies
- 3 2 1/2" wood screws
- 15 1 1/4" pocket hole screws
Directions
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Cut Boards to Size
Cut your boards according to the cut list. You can easily modify the lengths and widths of your shelf by modifying these measurements. If you want a deeper shelf, use a 1x10 or 1x12 instead of a 1x8. Also, for a longer shelf, cut your 1x2 and 1x8 longer than 44". Or a shorter shelf, obviously, trim your boards shorter than 44".
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Drill Pocket Holes for Back
You will drill all your pocket holes for this project in the main shelf ledge piece. This is the piece that will lay horizontally that you will set stuff on once it is hung. Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig, drill 3/4" pocket holes along one long edge of this piece like shown. Space these about 6" or so apart. This will be for attaching the back ledge later.
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Drill Pocket Holes for Sides
Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig, drill 3/4" pocket holes along both short edges of this main shelf. This will be for attaching the shelf sides later.
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Attach Main Shelf to Back Ledge
Using Kreg 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws, attach the main ledge to the 1x2 back ledge piece like shown. Make sure the back ledge is flush with the bottom of the main shelf ledge. So 3/4" of the board should stick out above the shelf.
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Attach Shelf Sides
Using Kreg 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws to attach the shelf side pieces like shown. For a contemporary look, attach one going down and the other going up. You can also attach both at the top or both at the bottom. It's personal preference.
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Mark Wall Studs
To hang this on the wall, you will need to screw it into the studs through the back ledge. First, though, you will need to measure and mark your studs. Using a stud finder can save you from accidentally drilling a million holes in your wall.
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Attach Shelf to Wall
Using 2 1/2" screws, screw through the back ledge and into the wall studs in at least two places. Make sure your shelf is level!
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Decorate
With Christmas coming, you will need a place for your stockings. For those without a fireplace, this might require some creativity. In our new small house, we don't have room for a lot of "stuff," but we do have room on the wall to hang and place decor. This is the perfect place to hang out stockings and set out my modern Christmas village (like to tutorial in extras tab) right next to where we will put the tree. It's a simple, modern design that works even after the holidays are over :)
