If you are looking for a way to get a little extra storage space for your room, you might want to make floating shelves. These are great for organizing and displaying items, such as books, plants, and even decorations. The best thing about these shelves is that they are easy to make and are affordable. You can build a floating shelf for as little as $3 to $5 each. But you’ll want to take a few steps to ensure you get the most out of your project.
Start by cutting a piece of poplar one-by-two into a few strips. You’ll want to cut these strips to a width that’s at least an inch narrower than your wall. Make sure to cut these strips on a rabbet joint. This ensures the corners are nice and tidy. Next, you’ll need to sand the strip to a smooth surface. When finished, apply a coat of natural wax.
The next step is to put together your shelf frame. This will consist of two boards on each end, as well as the top and bottom. Make sure the boards are a few inches away from each other. Once the frame is complete, you’ll be able to attach the shelves to the wall. Fasteners such as screws and brackets can be used to attach the shelves to the wall.
Depending on how heavy the shelves are, you can attach the material for the box to studs or use anchors. For strong, heavy-duty shelves, you should use studs, while for lighter-duty shelves you can attach the material to lag bolts. Both of these options will ensure that your shelf is structurally sound.
To build the shelf, you’ll need a few pieces of wood. You can purchase a wood package for as little as $10, but you’ll want to buy some nice sheets of wood to use. A sheet of plywood can also be a good choice. However, if you plan on using it for a shelving project, you’ll want to make sure it’s stained and sealed.
Once you’ve drilled the pilot holes for the fasteners, you can attach the shelves to the wall. Before you do this, make sure you mark the walls with a stud finder. Be sure to leave enough room around the studs for the shelves to be mounted on. It’s usually easiest to make the studs in the corners of the room, but you can also choose to mount them on the outside of the wall.
Once you’ve drilled the brackets, you can lay the shelf surface board on the U-shaped bracket. Secure the shelf with 1- 1/4″ screws. After it’s in place, you can sand the edges of the surface board to get a smooth finish. Using an orbital sander, or a table saw, will help you produce a clean line.
Finally, you can paint the floating shelf. This will protect the wood from water and other stains. You can also use veneer or other finishing products for your project.