Floating Shelves

How to Build Your Own DIY Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a versatile and stylish addition to any room, offering both functional storage and decorative appeal. Consider incorporating them into your living room to display favorite books, artwork, or cherished mementos. In the kitchen, they can serve as sleek spice racks or showcase your collection of cookbooks and decorative dishes. Bedrooms and home offices can also benefit from the organizational capabilities of floating shelves, creating a clutter-free and visually appealing environment.

Best of all, building your own floating shelves is a rewarding and cost-effective DIY project that even beginners can tackle. Follow our comprehensive guide, and you’ll be showcasing your handiwork in no time!

Is it cheaper to buy or build floating shelves?

In most cases, it is cheaper to build your own floating shelves compared to buying them pre-made. The cost of materials like wood, brackets, and finishing supplies is typically lower than the retail price of similar shelves.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Before diving into the project, be sure you have some basic tools and materials on hand:

Tape measure

Pencil

Level

Pocket-hole jig

Drill

Drill bits (appropriate for your wall type and shelf supports)

Stud finder

Clamps

Sandpaper

Wood glue

Wood filler

Paintbrushes or rags (for finishing)

Wood boards (your preferred type and size)

Shelf supports or brackets (appropriate for the weight you’ll be placing on the shelves)

What wood to use for DIY floating shelves?

Some of the best wood choices for DIY floating shelves include Pine, Oak, Maple, or Birch plywood.

Just avoid woods prone to excessive warping or splitting.

Pine

An affordable softwood that can be easily stained/painted.

Oak

A strong and attractive hardwood. Red oak is more economical than white oak.

Maple

A smooth, dense hardwood with a light color. Ideal for a natural finished look.

Birch plywood

More affordable than hardwood boards and still has a nice grain pattern.

How thick should wood be for floating shelves?

The thickness of wood for floating shelves depends on the length of the shelf and how much weight it will need to support.

A good general guideline is:

For shelves up to 3 feet long, 3/4-inch-thick wood is sufficient for light to moderate loads.

For shelves 4-6 feet long, use 1-inch-thick wood.

For shelves over 6 feet, or bearing heavy loads, use 1.5 inch (2x material) or even 2 inch thick wood.

Can you use 2x4s for floating shelves?

While 2x4s can be used for floating shelves, they may look bulky depending on the design and space. 2x4s have an actual thickness of 1.5 inches, so they work better for utility shelves or in rustic decor styles.

For a sleeker, more modern look, 1x boards with a thickness around 3/4 inch are often preferred.

Planning Your Floating Shelf Project

Understanding the basics

Floating shelves are designed to appear as if they are suspended on the wall, creating a modern and minimalist look. Unlike traditional shelves, they don’t require visible brackets or supports, relying instead on concealed hardware that attaches directly to the wall studs or other solid surfaces.

Calculating dimensions and quantities

Before cutting any wood, take precise measurements of the area where you plan to install the floating shelves. Consider the desired depth, length, and number of shelves you want. Remember to account for the thickness of the boards and any additional space needed for the shelf supports or brackets.
Once you have the measurements, calculate the required quantities of wood boards and shelf supports. It’s always a good idea to purchase a little extra material to account for any potential mistakes or adjustments during the building process.

How much weight can a DIY floating shelf hold?

The weight capacity of floating shelves varies depending on the support system used and how securely they are anchored to the wall studs.

Generally, most floating shelves can safely hold between 15 and 50 pounds per linear foot, but it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific hardware.

Do floating shelves have to be installed into studs?

While it’s possible to mount floating shelves on drywall using appropriate drywall anchors, it’s not recommended for heavy loads or long shelves.

For maximum strength and stability, floating shelves should be anchored directly into wall studs or other solid surfaces.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Floating Shelves

Step 1: Measure and mark your wall

Using a stud finder, locate and mark the positions of the wall studs where you plan to mount the floating shelves. This step is crucial as the shelves will need to be securely anchored to the studs for maximum stability and weight-bearing capacity. A stud finder like the Kreg Magnetic Stud Finder with LASER-MARK™ is perfect for not only locating studs, but also for projecting the location up or down the wall when installing multiple shelves.

Step 2: Selecting the right supports

There are various options for supporting your floating shelves, each with its own advantages and considerations. Common choices include:

Metal brackets

These are sturdy and designed specifically for floating shelves. They come in different sizes and styles to accommodate various shelf depths and weights.

Concealed shelf pins

Also known as invisible shelf supports, these small metal pins or rods are inserted into studs and the back of the shelf, providing a seamless, hidden support system.

French cleat

This ingenious method involves mounting a cleat (a beveled wooden strip) to the wall studs and another matching cleat to the back of the shelf, allowing the shelf to be securely hung on the wall cleat.

Step 3: Cutting and preparing materials

Using a miter saw or circular saw, carefully cut the wood boards to the desired lengths for your shelves. Sand the edges and surfaces to ensure a smooth finish. If you plan to stain or paint the shelves, now is the time to do so before assembly.

Step 4: Assembling the shelf structure

If you’re using a bracket or shelf pin system, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to properly install the supports onto the back of the wood boards. For a French cleat system, attach the beveled cleat to the back of each shelf using wood glue and finishing nails or screws.

Step 5: Mounting your floating shelves

With the shelf supports or cleats securely attached to the back of the shelves, it’s time to mount them on the wall. Align the supports or cleats with the marked stud locations, and use appropriate hardware (such as screws or toggle bolts) to securely fasten them to the wall studs. Double-check the levelness of each shelf before tightening everything in place.

Tips for Achieving a Professional Finish

Use high-quality wood and materials.

Apply wood filler to any visible holes or imperfections, and sand smooth before finishing.

Incorporate lighting by installing LED strip lights along the underside of the shelves for a warm, ambient glow.

Add stain or paint, to complement your room’s aesthetic.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building Floating Shelves

Failing to properly locate and secure the shelves to wall studs, compromising stability and safety.

Using inadequate support systems that cannot bear the intended weight load.

Neglecting to level the shelves during installation, resulting in an uneven and unsightly appearance.

Cutting the wood boards without precise measurements, leading to ill-fitting shelves.

Overlooking the finish, leaving the shelves looking unpolished and unrefined.

Enhancing Your Space with DIY Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a versatile and stylish addition to any room, offering both functional storage and decorative appeal. Consider incorporating them into your living room to display favorite books, artwork, or cherished mementos. In the kitchen, they can serve as sleek spice racks or showcase your collection of cookbooks and decorative dishes. Bedrooms and home offices can also benefit from the organizational capabilities of floating shelves, creating a clutter-free and visually appealing environment.