DIY Staggered Wall Shelf For Kids

Creative shelving can really improve a child's room.

A staggered wall shelf is one of the best ways to integrate creative organization in a children's room while providing an attractive and fun environment for the kids to grow. Properly staggered, the shelving can easily be integrated into a larger wall picture or thematic element of the room, providing a system of storage that is not only functional but extremely decorative. This type of shelving is extremely fun for children as well, allowing them to take a role in the creation and development of their own space.

Things You'll Need

• 4 3-foot-by-6-inch-by-1/2-inch shelf boards
• 8 wooden shelving brackets
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Measuring tape
• Level
• Drill
• Drill bit
• Wood screws
• Paint

Instructions

1. Use the stud finder to map the positioning of the wall studs within the entire area of wall in which you will be placing the shelves. Mark the stud locations clearly on the entire section using the pencil. Use the location of the studs as a reference point, and map out the location and overall design of the staggered shelving you will be using.

2. Determine the distance between the stud placements in your first area of shelf installation. Arrange your wooden brackets evenly on the underside of the first shelf board, so that the distance between them corresponds to the measurement between the studs in the first area of installation. Poke the pencil through the bracket holes to mark their location on the underside of the shelf board.

3. Drill holes into the bracket markings to prepare the board for the wood screws and prevent splitting or cracking of the wood. Install the shelves to the bottom of the shelves using the wood screws, being careful not to overly tighten the screws, which can cause warping or bending of the brackets and puncture the surface of the shelf itself, leading to a less attractive finish.

4. Place the first completed staggered wall shelf against the surface of the wall, making sure the bracket holes correspond with the previously marked stud locations. Use the carpenter's level to ensure that the project is being squarely installed by resting it horizontally on the top surface of the shelf, and moving the individual bracket locations up or down the shelf is deemed level, using an assistant if necessary.

5. Poke a pencil through the bracket holes to mark the location of the wood screws. Drill holes for the wood screws in the marked locations to prevent cracking or splitting of drywall and painted surfaces, then install the shelf by drilling the wood screws into the predrilled holes. Repeat for each shelf unit until the entire staggered shelf series is completely attached to the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• The staggered shelf can be a part of a larger tree, with a trunk painted on the wall or on another piece of furniture, and the shelves painted brown and incorporated into the overall painting as branches.

• The shelves can be made into part of the turrets of a castle, or pieces of the set from a vintage video game. They could also be used as part of an underwater scene, or a zoo scene.

• Any shelving installed in a children's room should be completely sturdy, so if the wall studs are not available, the highest weight bearing drywall anchors should be used to prevent accidental pulling down of the shelf.

References

• Home Interiors Zone: 31 Contemporary & Creative Book Shelves
• Don Vandervort's Home Tips: How to Build a Kid's Room Mirror Shelf & Wall Organizer
• Ghar Expert: Kid's Room Organization