DIY wall shelves are an attractive and functional addition to any space. Whether you want to organize storage, use blank wall space to create a personal library or add small floating shelves around your home for extra charm, this tutorial will help you build a floating shelf in just a few steps. No previous experience required!

The best wood for floating shelves depends on how you plan to use them. Will you display a few knickknacks, or will these shelves be functional spaces for your favorite books? Pine, oak and plywood are common lumber choices for DIY shelving, but oak is the best choice for supporting heavier items and making great bookshelves. 

There are many types of shelves you can put in your home, but floating shelves have been a popular choice among homeowners for many years. Their minimalist design and hidden mounting hardware make them perfect for those who want to save space or maximize wall space. Floating shelves are very versatile and can showcase personal style, whether you love all things Mid-Century Modern or prefer a streamlined Scandinavian look. Above all, floating shelves are easier to assemble and install than other shelf types. 

There are many ways to build wood shelves, but this tutorial is one of the most common methods. This hollow shelf style provides strength without being too heavy to be mounted on the wall. To create these shelves, you'll need a couple of 2" x 4" planks of wood and a couple of 1/4-inch sheets of plywood. 

Before cutting your 2" x 4", determine how big you want your shelf. This will help you determine how to cut the wood to create the frame. 

While you may be building a hollow shelf, you don't want the entire structure to rely on the frame. Once you've cut the frame, cut a couple of vertical pieces from the 2" x 4" plank and space them out evenly, perpendicular to the length of the shelf in a ladder-like fashion. 

If you are building a smaller shelf, you'll only need two additional pieces to reinforce the frame of our shelf. Once you've cut out all the pieces for your shelf frame, assemble the frame with wood nails and a drill.

Cut the plywood to match the dimensions of the top, bottom and sides of the shelf. Secure the plywood with a nail gun or wood glue. Be sure to leave one side exposed. That's the side you'll mount to the wall. 

To create the floating effect, you'll need floating shelf brackets. These typically look like long bars with tabs on the end to be screwed into the wall. Now that the shelf is fully assembled, you must drill holes into the back to hang it on the floating brackets. 

Measure and mark where on your shelf you want to drill the holes, taking care that the holes will be even. Once you've marked where the brackets will go, drill a hole into the shelf. Use one of the brackets to ensure the hole will securely hold the bracket so your shelf won't be wobbly once it's mounted.

If there are no holes you need to fill, you can skip this step. If you're using a wood filler, make sure it will take stain. Sand any wood filler smooth. If there are still some rough edges on your shelf you want to smooth out before staining, sand with fine-grit sandpaper. 

Lastly, measure where you need to mount your brackets. Before securing your shelf onto your mounted brackets, use a level to confirm they are level. 

Now that your shelf has been assembled, it's time to stain the wood. Oil-based wood stains are the most common on the market and will work on nearly every wood type except pine. If you're using pine, a gel-based stain will be the only way for you to get an even stain without splotches. 

If you're able, remove your shelf from the wall and apply the stain using a rag. Staining wood with a rag is better than staining with a brush because it offers an even application without worrying about brush marks. If your shelf is already mounted to the wall, a brush will help you be more precise in your stain application. Once you've applied your stain with a brush, go back over your work with a rag to eliminate any brush marks. 

Whether you should paint or stain your newly assembled shelves depends on your preference. Paint is generally a low-maintenance option, but you can easily keep stained shelves looking nice with a clear Polycrylic coating. If you want to show off the wood grain in your shelves or add warmth to your space, staining your shelves will be your best bet. You can even stain them white or black and get the pigment you'd find from paint and display the wood grain at the same time.

• Minwax Performance Series Tintable Wood Stain
• Minwax Gel Stain - Needed to stain Pine wood shelving
• Minwax Polycrylic Protective Finish
  
  

• Intex Zero-Waste Wiping Cloths
• IRWIN 26' Tape Measure
• StudBuddy Magnetic Stud Finder
• Power Drill
• Level
• Miter Saw
• Circular Saw

Materials

• 2" x 4" Timber
• 1" x 6" Timber (Optional)
• 1/4-inch Plywood
• Shelf Brackets
• Drywall Anchors - Needed if you can't attach your shelves to wall studs. This is common in older homes
• Wood Screws