how to diy: floating shelves in 7 steps
Let me tell you…this has been quite the project! But, it turned out so beautiful! We are loving how our living room is coming together. The next step is decorating these shelves! I rounded up how I DIY’d this space and a few helpful tips for you, too. IF this seems confusing at all, I do have an entire instagram highlight on how I did it step-by-step as well! YOU CAN DO IT. I PROMISE!
This post contains affiliate links where I earn a small commission for any purchases made using my links at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting me. Step 1. Round Up Supplies
2x3 Wood | 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8ft. Cabinet Grade Plywood Panel
My vision for this project was to have six floating shelves and I want them to be extra sturdy! I’m planning to put these in the living room on the both sides of the fireplace for all the decor and COZINESS! I linked EXACTLY what I used for you above and grabbed it at Home Depot! Keep in mind you can always use different types of wood but this is what worked best for me!
Step 2. measure, measure again, and cut
2x3 Wood | 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8ft. Cabinet Grade Plywood Panel | Measuring Tape | DeWalt Miter Sliding Saw | Table Saw Stand
As the rule goes, measure twice, cut once! Depending on where you are putting your shelves and how deep you want them, you may want to adjust the measurements I used. We’re wanting them to be deep shelves, 14” DEEP. Think about what you’re wanting to put on the shelves. Large vases? Books? Etc.! That all plays into how you want to build your base structure.
The back BASE piece that will be flush against the wall that I cut is 1.5” thick. So when cutting the support pieces that will come off of that to support the shelves (and anything you put on them) you want to take into account the depth of that wood back there.
SO, I cut the support pieces to 12.5” to equal 14 “in total. Be mindful about how thick the wood is you’re using as well! I used 2x3 boards for the entire supports.
Step 3. Construct the shelf bases
Drill | Clamp | Heavy Duty Screws | 2x3 Wood | 23/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8ft. Cabinet Grade Plywood Panel
Now the fun part! Assembling all the parts to create six shelves! I use the clamp to get a better grip on the wood before screwing everything together. Highly encourage investing in some heavier duty screws, I used 3.5”, to rest assured it’s stable. You can also add wood glue here to make it extra stable.
Pro tip! Before you drill your support pieces on your main piece, lay your main back piece against the wall to determine which side you want facing the wall.
STEP 4. Locate studs & mark placement
Level | Stud Laser Finder | Painters Tape | Headband | Claw Clip | Shorts | Sports Bra
Fit tips: sports bra & shorts tts, S
May or may not have been the most exciting part of my project was using this laser stud finder! Before getting too excited drilling into the wall, I highly encourage you to measure, measure again, and tape everything out! This way you know what it will look like and know the sizing makes sense for your space. For reference, I do two screws per stud.
Step 5. Bevel cut & Sand your top, bottom & front facing pieces
Sanding Block | Sanding Discs | Measuring Tape | Circular Saw Cutting Kit
Once you have the base installed, then it’s time to add in the shelving pieces! First up was cutting the long pieces of plywood. This circular saw kit is a game changer and make it so much easier and safer to cut. Next, we bevel cut all of the pieces (top, bottom and front face) to make it a seamless flow. Be sure to sand realllll good prior to installing so you have a smooth surface to paint and decorate! We used a 120 grit.
If you have never seen a bevel cut before, there’s a ton of amazing tutorials online! We used our table saw for those cuts but there are other ways!
Step 6. assemble and install
Clamps | Brad Nailer | Wood Glue | Level
Let’s get these bad boys installed! The wood glue, brad nailer, and clamps are my best friends for this step. Also, JD! Couldn’t have done this without his help. So, so exciting to see it start to come together. I used my clamps to ensure everything fit PRIOR to using any nails haha. Then just brad nailed then top and bottom to the studs!
Front piece was last. I also used wood glue prior and then we brad nailed them to the studs. MAKE SURE YOU MARK WHERE YOUR STUDS ARE ON THE TOP OR BOTTOM PIECE SO YOU AREN’T SHOOTING NAILS INTO THE ABYSS LOL.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Backer Rod | Primer | Paint | Bondo Wood Filler |Caulk| Step Stool
I added in the backer rod to fill in any gaps between the shelves and the fireplace. THIS IS SUCH A HELPFUL little gadget lol. Any gaps you have, honestly anywhere — use this THEN caulk to fill it! Helps you to not be shooting caulk into the abyss. Can be one of those unavoidable things, but so glad this exists!
Used Bondo wood filler on the front piece connection points to the top and bottom just to make it truly flawless and seamless! The bevel cut gives you a HUGE ADVANTAGE. Used my hand sander (120 grit) after I was satisfied w/ everything and then we were ready for the fun part, PAINT.
Went in with a coat of primer and used Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore for the final paint job. I hand rolled these but if you can spray them, I highly suggest! (my fave paint sprayer)
Step 8: enjoy your shelves
Rug | Sofa | Coffee Table | 3-D Tic-Tac-Toe Board
And just like that…it’s done! I am SO happy about how these turned out. They are such a gorgeous addition to our home and can’t wait to enjoy them. Now…time to find some decor we’re loving for these shelves!
Open Shelf Styling
Haven’t found all the decor for the shelves just yet, but I am LOVING these coffee table books on the shelf so far. Keep up with me on IG for more updates on the open shelving styling!
Other fall decor I’m loving
xoxo,
Holley Gabrielle
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