How to Build Simple Floating Shelves

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (41 Ratings)

If you are looking for a place to display photos, glassware, and figurines, then these easy-to-build floating shelves are for you. These shelves are called “floating shelves” because you can’t see the brackets or hardware that holds them up. The shelves are basically made of two pieces: a strip of lumber attached to the studs in a wall and a cut-to-size hollow door.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Cut to size hollow door
Stud finder
Paint (optional)
Saw
Small screws or brads
Sandpaper
Wood glue

Getting Ready

Step1

Gather the tools and materials you will need. Refer to the "Things You Need" list below.

Step2

Determine how many shelves you want, how long you want each shelf to be, and where you will put the shelves.

Step3

Use the stud finder to locate the studs on the wall. Mark them with a pencil or small pieces of painter’s tape (See the related article on "How to Locate Wall Studs"). Then mark the wall with a pencil line or strip of tape to determine the horizontal placement of each shelf.

Making the Shelves

Step1

Cut the door in half lengthwise with a circular saw. Be sure to clamp a straightedge guide to the door so your cut is straight.

Step2

For shorter shelves, cut the half-door to the desired lengths. Cut pieces of wood from the 1 x 2-inch lumber to cover the open ends. Glue into place.

Step3

Sand any edges that are rough.

Step4

Measure the width of the hollow space in the door. Cut the 2 x 4-inch lumber to that thickness. Then measure between the end blocks in the door half and cut the 2 x 4 to that length. This newly-cut 2 x4 strip of lumber will be attached to the wall to hold the shelf.

Step5

Attach the cut-to-measure 2 x 4 to the wall with screws directly into the studs. Make sure the 2 x 4 is level.

Step6

Slide the shelf onto the 2 x 4 to make sure it fits. Sand inside the door as needed for a tight fit. Remove the shelf.

Step7

Spread wood glue on the top of the 2 x 4 attached to the wall and to the inside bottom edge of the shelf. Again position the shelf onto the 2 x 4. Check to make sure the shelf is level.

Step8

Nail the shelf to the 2 x 4 using small finishing nails or brads. Start in the middle and work out. Space the nails evenly along the shelf.

Tips & Warnings

For a very clean cut, use a table saw instead of a circular saw. A full-service lumberyard may be able to cut the wood for you.
If you plan to paint your shelves, paint before you install them. Also, if you plan to paint the room, paint before installing the shelves.
These shelves cannot be removed without destroying them. Between the glue, the nails and the screws, the shelves are permanent.
These shelves are not meant to hold a vast amount of weight. They will be fine for photos and lightweight glassware and figurines, but do not place books or heavy art objects on them.