How to Make Floating Shelves - DIY Wood Floating Shelves

This DIY Wood Floating Shelf project is a great one for anyone looking to get into woodworking and for the more advanced, alike. It’s very budget friendly, does not take long to make, and they add a nice touch to any wall. Learn how to make your wood floating shelves!

For more info, project photos, and downloadable plans check out:

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*Tools Needed

Cut All of the Wood Pieces
We’ll start this project by marking and making cuts for all of the different pieces for the wood floating shelf. It basically consists of the 2×4 wood frame that screws into the studs in your wall and also the cedar picket shelf box that slides onto the frame. Take a look at the cut list in the free plans for dimensions and guidance. Sand the boards, once they’re cut to size.

Start Assembly, Making the Frame First
Once you have all of your pieces, we’ll make the 2×4 wood frame that’ll screw into the wall. Kreg Jig (pocket hole joinery) the short boards onto the longer board. Also screw in 3” wood screws from the opposite side, for more security. This frame will be completely hidden on the inside of the cedar shelf box, so once it’s made there is no need to finish this. You can leave it all rough.

Assemble the Cedar Box Shelf
Then we’ll put together the cedar box that will slide over the 2×4 frame, becoming the main shelf and the most visible part of this project. Dry fit all of the pieces to make sure your cuts were accurate, then add wood glue to the joints. Nail everything together with 1 ¼” nails and then let the glue dry.

Sand, Finish, and Let Cure
Sand the cedar box down to at least 220 grit with your orbital sander. The finishing process that I did for this project was the steel wool and vinegar solution/stain. Let your solution work its magic for a while and once to the desired color, seal it all up with a water-based spray polyurethane. The water-based sealer ensures that you won’t change the effect, patina, and color of the steel wool and vinegar solution.

Install the 2×4 Frame and the Cedar Shelf
Once the finishing process is done and everything has dried to the manufacturer’s recommended time, we can install it! We’ll first find the studs in the wall, should be about 16” apart. Then we’ll screw the 2×4 frame into the wall with 2 3” wood screws for each connection to the stud. Slide the cedar box shelf on and you’re done!
*Note: If you’re wanting a more secure shelf (maybe the kids could pull the shelf off of the frame) you can simply screw the shelf onto the 2×4 frame from the underside or topside.

Enjoy!
You’ve done the work, now reap the benefits of your DIY Wood Floating Shelf or Shelves, in my case. Add what you want to them and share this project with your friends. Thanks for following along and be sure to check out the free, downloadable plans.
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[TeaDrinkingHacker]

Just had to say a HUGE thank you to you Pete. I'm a computer nerd and very much NOT a woodworker. This is officially now my first completed DIY woodworking project. 2 shelves took me 3 days (including paint time) but was well worth it. I had to buy a table saw, drills an air compressor and nailers, and it was my first time working with them. Your instructions were clear, understandable and all in all excellent. THANK YOU!!!

[williamseymour]

Hi Pete. Just downloaded the plans for these/these shelves. This project is perfect for our small bedroom/office/sewing room. We plan to use collapsable fabric boxes for storing office stuff, sewing gear for my wife, and other misc. stuff. This shelf design will hold the weight and we won't clutter the room up with cabinets. Plus, we can easily take the shelves down, patch the holes, and repaint. I'm anxious to get started as soon as weather clears. Thanks, brother.

[sacrajah]

Wonderful job. The skill you displayed in building bench is awesome but yet simple, It makes the fence-sitter go for the woodworking. Thank you for the video.

[mikeyandalyssab]

Great video! I took your direction to heart and made my first of four floating shelves last night. It went WAY easier and faster than I expected and I had the first one knocked out in less than an hour! (minus painting) Thanks so much for the video, helped me out a TON!

[livinthalife]

Feels like I just watched the behind the scenes of a magic trick! Great video!

[bk]

great video. Nice and quick and concise, but also enough detail to get it done. THanks!!

[LowFlyingPlanesBand]

Great job Montana man ! This New Yorker will make his wife very happy now ;) I normally just wing it but this was super helpful. Thanks broski.

[ryanckhapman]

Just wanted to let you know the shelves came out perfect and fully support my tv and all of my DVDs etc. thanks for the helpful diy projects!

[wphiggi]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks Pete.

[eileenbuck]

Thanks so much for this video. My husband and I made one this weekend.

[petermitchell]

Happy and prosperous new year to you and all your family

[prestoneprice]

Just made a bunch of shelves using this method. Thanks for the tips!

[nicky]

Freaking GENIUS! I love floating shelves, and I have tried many different ways to build them over the years with varying success. Thank you Pete! That's my weekend plans sorted!

[SusanRenaudRoberta]

This is a fantastic looking shelf. I wondered how they were made. You do excellent work and I really love the colour of the vinegar/steel wool stain .

[christianmunoz]

I need to sleep for work in the morning but instead I'm watching a DIY shelf tutorial.

[kailuang]

Thank you so much for this video May God always bless you and your family Pete

[chasingwaves]

I love that weatherd look !
I bult a new 9 surfboard rack for my living room .. and used some pallets for the flooring with 2 inch boards on every other 3inch board to give it that board walk look .. standed the 3inch darker and stained the 2 inch board lighter really made it stand out nice .. with the pegs i stained them as well .. the framing was a 4inch pine trim boards i bought at your local hardwood store .. bought them preprimed white and then bought spray can gray primer, hit the frame with that .then sanded off some of the gray to give it the weathered look ... I wish i seen this idea .. wow works AWESOME ! .. sorry i thought i would share my story about my weathered look build lol .

[timsommerville]

They look great! How much weight will they hold?

[TheReaganite]

Pete I watched this several times. I didn't build it like you did so that it just slid over the supports on the wall, but I used some leftover tongue and groove wood for some shelves. Don't know how to post pics here of them? However, video of yours helped a lot. Pro Tip: If you are going to use zip anchors in the wall, make sure you take all the slack out of them. LOL

[raymondflaherty]

Your video were very informative. i built 8ft versions and they turned out beautiful!

Can't wait to build your concrete coffee table.