How to Make a Wall Shelf

A wall shelf can be made from many types of wood.

Store-bought wooden shelves aren't always made of solid wood. If a solid wood shelf is what you want, you may have to build it yourself. In order to build a wall shelf you will first need to find and area on the wall that can be used. Once you have the determined where the shelf will hang on the wall, you can purchase the materials needed to complete the project.

Things You'll Need

• 3/4-inch wood boards
• Tape measure
• Stud finder
• Pencil
• Circular saw
• Jigsaw
• Sandpaper
• Wood glue
• Finish nails
• Nail gun

Instructions

1. Measure the width of the wall to determine the size of the shelf, such as 8 inches deep by 24 inches wide. Find the studs in the wall with the stud finder. Mark the location of the studs with the pencil.

2. Measure and mark a wood board that is 8-by-24 inches. This will be the main part of the shelf. Cut the board to the required size with the circular saw.

3. Measure and cut another piece of wood that measures 3½-by-38½ inches. This will be the back support for the shelf. Cut two additional pieces of wood that measure 5-by-7 inches.

4. Draw a wave pattern on the side of the 3½-by-38-inch piece of wood with the pencil. Cut along the pencil line with the jigsaw.

5. Draw a curve pattern on one of the 5-by-7-inch pieces of wood with the pencil and cut along the pencil line with the jigsaw. Place the cut piece on the other 5-by-7-inch piece and trace the pattern onto the wood. Cut out the pattern with the jigsaw.

6. Sand the edges of the cut pieces with the sandpaper.

7. Place the 8-by-24-inch piece of wood perpendicular on the wall where the you want to hang the shelf. Mark the location of the studs on the bottom of the wood with the pencil.

8. Apply a bead of wood glue to the top edge of the 5-by-7-inch pieces. Place the pieces on the pencil marks you made on the 8-by-24-inch board. Secure the pieces of wood together with finish nails using the nail gun.

9. Measure the distance between the bottom-side pieces. Transfer the measurement to the 3½-by-38½-inch piece. Cut the board to the measurement with the circular saw.

10. Apply a bead of wood glue to the side edges of the board and place it in between the two side pieces on the shelf. Secure the wood pieces together with the finish nails. Wait at least 12 hours for the wood glue to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply a coat of stain to your new wall shelf.

• Hang the shelf on the wall by driving screws into the back support.

References

• Lee's Wood Projects: How to Build a Wood Wall Shelf

Resources

• Freeww: Free Shelf Plans