How to make a wooden shelf with your own hands. Step-by-step photo instructions for housewives

Installing decorative shelves on the wall allows you to decorate any living space. It becomes more functional and at the same time cozy. Places for these products can be found on the ceiling, floor or walls, so self-made shelves can be wall-mounted, hanging or floor-mounted.

Decorating rooms with decorative shelves

High-height shelves placed on the floor are called racks. Usually they are decorative items mounted on a bracket or pipe. The popularity of this option is due to its convenience and functionality.

You can decorate rooms with different purposes with shelves. If this is a living room or bedroom, then using a ready-made or home-made product you can install the TV on the wall. Shelves located in the bathroom or kitchen are considered especially convenient. For their manufacture, materials such as wood, plywood, glass, laminated chipboard, and fiberboard are used. The racks are made of the same materials. At the same time, they can be made from metal, plastic, etc. When creating unusual objects, you can use plastic bottles, unnecessary pipes, etc.

When making a shelf on the wall with your own hands, you should not only pay attention to the material used. It is necessary to ensure that it is decorated in the same style as the interior of the room. The functionality of decorative shelves may not play a primary role. If any interior items are placed on them, their quantity is always limited. They should give the desired style to the room. In the process of its creation, it is necessary to take into account the stylistic relationship with products of contrasting colors.

In the interior, shelves sometimes play the role of the main element. To properly design the free space above the sofa, shelves are used that are color-matched to match the walls of the living room. The shelf can be a separator for separate zones in the room. These types of products in technical rooms, for example, in the kitchen or bathroom, should not only be an object of aesthetics, but also a useful product for certain needs related to the storage of any items.

The practicality of decorative kitchen shelves is due to their easy care. There are increased demands on bathroom shelves. Since the humidity in this room is quite high, for the manufacture of shelves such types of materials are used that do not collapse under the influence of moisture and are safe for human health. These include plastic and stainless steel. Bathroom products can be made from moisture-resistant MDF material. To use them successfully, the bathroom must have good ventilation.

Wall shelf designs

If there is a place on the wall in the room where something should be hung, then many types of modern furniture can occupy the lower level, for example, sofas or tables. Since the upper part must remain empty, dissonance arises due to the overload of the lower part of the room. The upper part of the room remains empty or half-empty, so its walls will need to be decorated with decorative shelves.

In most cases, wall structures consist of lintels and shelves themselves. There are a huge number of options available for combining these elements. If you choose a simpler design, then you can make any shelves from it with your own hands. These products may be the first of the shelves that were made without any specific experience.

DIY wall shelves made from wood or other suitable materials are simple. On the websites you can easily find many different diagrams and drawings, thanks to which it is enough to imagine how you can make a shelf on the wall with your own hands. It may be necessary to make changes to the drawings first if the structure has different dimensions.

When using fiberboard, it is important to remember that the thickness of this material should be about 16-18 mm. The distance between the support posts should be no more than 1 m. It is better if the span is 90 cm, otherwise there will be a deflection.

If you need to assemble certain components yourself, and the diagram is not entirely clear, then you will need to prepare additional fasteners. The reliability of the structure can be ensured by the presence of corners. They are necessary for attaching jumpers to prepared shelves. The corners are installed from below - 2 pieces each. for each connection.

Shelf mount

The traditional way to install prefabricated shelves is with hinges. In this case, the product can be made of wood and fiberboard, as well as materials with a suitable thickness that allows them to be attached. You can hang shelves on walls using self-tapping screws. You should measure the distance between the centers of the hinge holes, plotting its value on the wall surface. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the line is horizontal.

The marked points will allow you to drill holes for the dowels evenly. The fastener will need to be inserted into the hole, and then a dowel-nail with a small head will be screwed into it. It should fit into a loop or bracket, which is a pin slightly bent upward.

Then you will need to hang a shelf on them. It is not possible to make a hole in any material using a drill. For example, if the shelves are made of glass. For glass decorative products, special fasteners are used. They must consist of 2 parts, between which glass must be inserted.

Pelican is the most popular type of glass fastening, which has a unique shape and comes in different colors. This mount is capable of holding glass thicknesses ranging from 8-34 mm. It is a suitable element for various materials having the specified thickness, and not just glass. Pelican allows you to give glass shelves a stylish appearance.

Arranging hanging glass shelves using this material is not particularly difficult. You will first need to purchase a special mount by contacting a glass workshop to order a piece of glass with processed edges of the required sizes and shapes. If you have experience, you can cut such glass yourself.

After assembly is completed, the structure can be attached to the wall using pelicans. The collapsible body requires removal of the decorative trim. The mounting plate has 2 holes: above and below in the housing. After securing the shelf, you can insert the trim back and then mount the glass.

You can also strengthen the finished product with the help of reliable decorative brackets that serve as decoration. There is a fastening method that allows you to hide the fasteners. It is called secret, it assumes the presence of a seat for the pin. There are a large number of ways to attach shelves to the wall, which allows you to choose the most suitable one.

Installing book shelves

Bookshelves must be strong, allowing them to hold significant weight, so the mounting method and design must be particularly reliable. Bookshelves are traditionally made of wood, which can be laminated or veneered with fiberboard. When choosing a material, you should keep in mind that do-it-yourself wooden shelves made from fiberboard, if there is a long span (more than 90 cm), bend over time.

Before you make a bookshelf with your own hands according to individual sizes, you should take into account that the distance between the racks should not be more than 90 cm. Bookshelves can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted. These types of structures can be angular. The simplest case is a board that is secured in the most suitable way.

Bookshelves

Making bookshelves with your own hands from scrap materials allows you to create the most exclusive products that represent the main element of decor. If the bookshelf is floor-standing, then it can withstand greater loads than a wall-mounted one. The design consists of racks and the shelf itself.

As a highlight, you can provide a broken line of shelves. Bookshelves can be unusual. A wooden structure for books, which has a small shelf in the center, can be painted in a bright color.

DIY kitchen shelves

For the kitchen interior, it is important to provide a more functional option. Since cabinets can take up too much space in such a room, you can buy or make shelves yourself. For example, the kitchen may have a shelf for a TV.

Using free space to the maximum is the optimal solution. The gap between the refrigerator and the wall can be filled with a structure with shelves, made independently. It is important to accurately measure the gap so that the product can be used.

The design may include wheels that allow narrow shelves to be rolled out and hidden again behind the refrigerator or any piece of furniture. It’s not difficult to make such a retractable structure for different containers with your own hands, having tools and available materials. If the sink or table is located near the window, you can take the sides.

A wall shelf sometimes takes up all the space in the kitchen. When covering the entire wall above the kitchen table with small cabinets, you should remember that this is not the best option. Such structures have a heavy appearance, so it is better to provide them with glass doors or leave the shelves open.

Another interesting option is a shelf in the form of a grid on chains. You can place various utensils on it. This type of design is suitable when the kitchen table is not located near the wall. An additional way to save space is to arrange a kitchen-dining room zoned with a counter. You can build a hanging shelf above it.

Hanging functional shelves

The designs of hanging shelves are original. They can be made from several planks, including:

  • 4 ropes;
  • 2 belts.

Shelves of this type can be located at any level. You can make them yourself in a short period of time.

Hanging shelf suitable for children's room. It is enough to decorate a functional product with the child’s drawings. It can have any shape, and you can use non-woven wallpaper to cover it. PVA glue is used to paste the product with thick paper. After the coating has dried, apply water-based varnish twice.

The product can be washed easily. As the child ages, you can change the appearance of the shelf by removing the old decor and sticking on a new one. The designs of children's shelves are not too different. The floor structure or shelving for a children's room must be strong, since older children can often climb onto various pieces of furniture.

Based on these considerations, it is best to attach floor shelves to the wall. This will prevent them from accidentally falling under the weight of a large baby. It is better if the product is small in height so that it is not scary if it falls.

Shelves in a children's room can have a variety of colors and patterns. They can be used for toy boxes. In general, the structure must be not only functional, but also safe.

Often, shelves on the wall play a purely decorative role. They attract attention, which is achieved due to the unusual shapes of the product. It may have a contrasting color compared to the walls. It is impossible to place many items on such a shelf.

A design made of geometric shapes, i.e. squares with rectangles, is also an interesting idea. The structure can be painted in a bright color. Another interesting option is to use corners for small shelves. Knowing how to choose a decorative shelf for a wall or floor, you can make any room not only cozy, but also functional.

A cozy apartment is not only a good renovation, but also a thoughtful interior. Wall shelves are a convenient place to store books, figurines, dishes and accessories that decorate the room. It’s not difficult to make beautiful and unusual shelves with your own hands; the main thing is to choose the most convenient designs that will fit perfectly into the interior of the room and emphasize its originality.

These shelves are not distinguished by their original design: side panels and vertical shelves. Most often, this furniture is used to store books, figurines, and dishes.

Asymmetrical shapes, design versatility - such shelves are made in the form of hanging racks.

These types of shelves allow you not only to decorate the interior, but also to save space. There are internal shelves - the structures are hung in the corner; there are also external structures: the shelves are placed on the side walls of the outer corner of the room.

This type of shelf requires attachment to the ceiling using cables, ropes or metal posts. It is not recommended to store fragile items on such shelves, but, nevertheless, these designs give the interior an original look.

Open and closed structures

Enclosed structures have doors or panels made of glass, wood or other materials. Open structures are fully visible.

Types of fastening of hanging shelves

Permanent fixation

The structure is secured using anchors or dowels. The fastener is tightly drilled to the wall and is durable and reliable. The shelves can withstand a lot of weight. The only drawback is that when the structure is dismantled, holes from the mounting hardware will remain in the walls, and it will be quite difficult to remove a securely fixed shelf.

Removable structures

The structure is supported by dowels or anchors drilled into the wall. But the shelf is suspended from the mounting hardware using special hooks or brackets. In this case, the structure is simply removed from the wall.

Modular fastener

In this case, not the entire shelf structure is attached to the wall. You can only fix the top or bottom tier. The rest of the shelf is simply attached to a wall-mounted module. A system suspended from the ceiling is distinguished by this method of fastening.

Materials from which hanging shelves are made

Tree

Wooden structures will fit perfectly into any interior. Wood can be processed in any way; it can be covered with various covering materials, giving it the desired color.

MDF

This material is also easy to process and can have any color or thickness. MDF coating can imitate various types of wood, which is especially important if the room has furniture made of natural wood.

Plastic

This material is durable and light weight. The surface of the plastic can be made in the form of an imitation of stone, wood or other natural materials.

Glass

Glass structures are visually light and give the room a more spacious and stylish look. Glass in combination with metal allows you to decorate a room in a high-tech style.

Metal

This material is most often used to make uprights or shelf side panels. You can use noble bronze, which looks great in a classic style. Chrome or aluminum racks are perfect for a modern interior.

It is not uncommon for several materials to be used to make a shelf: glass and metal, wood and metal, glass and MDF.

Wall shelf made of MDF and glass

Making an ordinary hanging shelf with glass doors is not difficult, the main thing is to choose the right material and fasteners to securely fix the structure. The shelf length is 110 cm, height - 30 cm, depth - 27 cm.

Tools for work

  1. Drill
  2. Screwdriver.
  3. Jigsaw for cutting MDF sheets yourself.
  4. Iron for fixing edges.
  5. Stationery knife,
  6. Level.
  7. Metal long ruler and pencil.
  8. Materials
  9. MDF board. It is advisable to purchase material with double-sided lamination, 16 mm thick.
  10. Edge for finishing the ends of MDF boards. You can purchase a plastic version that is attached to the ends by tension.
  11. Two glass sheets measuring 55 cm by 26.7 cm. The glass on the edges must be treated so that the shelf can be used safely.
  12. Plastic tracks for glass along which the panels will move.
  13. Sandpaper.
  14. Self-tapping screws for mounting the shelf structure.
  15. Small nails for attaching glass tracks.
  16. Dowels for fixing the shelf to the wall.
  17. Hanging brackets.

It is important that the color of the lamination completely matches the color of the edge.

Slab cutting

To ensure that the edges remain intact and without chips, it is advisable to cut them in a workshop on special machines. If such processing is not possible, then a jigsaw is used for cutting.

The MDF board is cut into the following parts:

  • lid;
  • bottom (110 cm by 27 cm);
  • side panels, 2 pieces (26.7 cm by 27 cm);
  • back wall (110 cm by 30 cm).

To make the shelf construction lighter, you can use a thinner laminated fiberboard sheet for the back wall. But, as often happens, it is quite difficult to choose a single color for materials. Therefore, it is best to make the back wall from the same materials from which the rest of the structural parts are made.

After the shelf parts are cut, the ends need to be processed. To do this, use an iron to glue an adhesive edge or simply attach plastic analogues tightly.

Assembly of the structure

Side panels are attached to the lid and bottom. If the fasteners are made using self-tapping screws, then there is no need to drill holes in the ends. If parts are assembled using screws, then the diameter of the drill should be less than the diameter of the fastener.

Before driving the screws, you can pour a drop of white glue into the holes. This will improve the strength of the structure. It is advisable to recess the caps of fastening fittings into the material by several mm. This will allow you to hide the holes with special plugs or fill them with putty.

Then the back wall is attached to self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws. Brackets for hanging the shelf are attached to the rear side ends.

The last stage of work is attaching plastic tracks for glass and installing the glass itself. The tracks are nailed to the bottom and lid of the shelf with small nails, step -10 cm. The glass should slide freely along the tracks.

The shelf is hung on dowels, which are pre-drilled into the wall. It is important that the distance between the fasteners on the wall matches the distance between the brackets on the shelf.

A shelf without glass is hung, the panels are inserted into the structure already on the wall. It is also recommended to check the suspended structure for strength and safety: you can forcefully pull the top cover of the shelf towards you or place several heavy objects on it.

A well-fixed and correctly assembled structure should withstand preliminary inspection.

You can make the interior of the room bright and unusual with the help of a hanging structure in which the shelves are made of natural wood and the racks are made of thick hemp rope. This shelf will fit perfectly into a room in a country style or decorate a room in a nautical style.

Materials

  1. 4 solid wood shelves. Dimensions 60 cm by 30 cm. Wood thickness - 27 mm.
  2. Hemp rope, diameter - 25-30 mm. The length depends on the desired size of the structure.
  3. Special brackets with hooks.
  4. Anchors for attaching brackets to the ceiling.
  5. Sandpaper.
  6. Tools.
  7. Drill.
  8. Pencil.
  9. Corner.
  10. Level.
  11. Roulette.
  12. Screwdriver.

Manufacturing

First, you should thoroughly clean the surface of the wooden shelves. It is important that the edges of the wood are smooth and free of chips.

Then on all shelves you should mark the position of the through holes through which the rope will be pulled. To do this, you need to step back from one edge by 5 cm and draw a straight line, from the other edge by the same distance and mark it in the same way. Each hole is placed at the intersection of lines. Using a drill and a large drill, at least 15 mm, drill 4 holes on each board.

Then the boards need to be coated with varnish, stain or acrylic paint. The elements are painted in colors that will harmoniously fit into the interior of the room. After the coating has dried, you can begin assembling the structure.

You need to take a rope and cut it into 2 equal parts. The resulting ropes are folded in half. It is important that its segments are equal. Then the first shelf is strung on ropes and secured with knots.

The nodes must be positioned strictly parallel, otherwise the part will warp. Then the second shelf is strung; it can be positioned 40 cm lower. It is also fixed with knots. To prevent the board from dangling, you can tie knots not only under the shelf, but also above the shelf.

The rest of the wooden elements are attached in the same way. It is important to check the location of the shelves during the process of attaching them. They should not be skewed or located at different distances from each other. The lower knots should be strong; the rest of the rope can be divided into strands for beauty.

The resulting shelf can be hung either on the ceiling using brackets with hooks, or on the walls. Despite the fact that the structure is not too heavy, it needs to be secured with anchors.

It will be a wonderful interior decoration. It is not recommended to place fragile, heavy or glass items on the structure, especially if there are small children or pets in the house.

Video - DIY hanging shelf

Bulky, cabinet furniture is gradually losing its popularity. It is being replaced by light and elegant shelves on the wall, made with your own hands from scrap materials or ready-made blocks. The interesting and original design of wall shelves allows them to successfully compete with many interior and decorative items made in country, high-tech or modern style.

A wide selection of materials and ideas for the manufacture of such products makes it possible to use them in almost any utility, utility and residential premises.

We invite you to adopt the most interesting sketches in order to free up space from things and old furniture scattered everywhere and make your home more cozy and comfortable.

Features of wall shelves

A DIY wall shelf will be appropriate in absolutely any interior:

Main types of wall shelves

The method of fastening, the material used and the items that will be stored on the shelf determine the workload on the entire structure and on the wall on which it is mounted. It is quite natural that the method for attaching it to a vertical surface largely depends on the type of product.

A variety of photo wall shelves, which are presented below, can be used to place pots, flowerpots and flowerpots with.
In this case, you should take care of the safety of family members, since due to the earth with which they are filled, the structure is subjected to increased loads.
For this reason, a secure fastening should be used to place such shelves.

Taking into account the design features of wall shelves, they can be divided into the following groups:

  • closed and open (with or without doors);
  • straight and angular;
  • console type;
  • with and without side stops;
  • through or closed back wall;
  • in the form of one plane or rectangular;
  • single-tier and multi-tier;
  • fancy shape - diamond-shaped, inclined.

Some of the most popular types of wall shelves include:


In order to make transparent shelves on the wall with your own hands, you need to order a set of glasses of the same shape in a special workshop. For safe use, the ends of the glass are plastered, after which the blanks are secured in the free corner using brackets.

Glass shelves are suitable for storing books, cherished souvenirs, cosmetics, shampoos and personal hygiene items.

Materials for wall shelves

Anyone who is thinking about how to make a shelf on the wall with their own hands knows that a variety of materials can be used to make this piece of furniture. Of course, the simplest and most affordable option is a regular wooden board nailed to the wall. But this will not be enough to create a modern and original room design. The choice of materials even for such simple products is very wide.

Wood

DIY wooden shelves are a good old classic. You can diversify a wooden structure using complex shapes and non-standard fastenings. For interiors in the loft and minimalist style, a beautiful and unusual wooden shelf will be an appropriate solution. For classic design projects, the product can be decorated with carvings, and all structural elements must be carefully processed.

For those who want to save on the raw material, we recommend using chipboard, MDF or plywood, which can be purchased at any hardware store for quite affordable money.

Metal

DIY metal shelves, photo options, which you will find below, can perfectly complement the interiors of rooms in the style of minimalism, hi-tech and fusion. Installation of such products is impossible without special skills and tools. Among the advantages of metal structures are their strength, reliability and durability. Special surface treatment will protect the finished shelf from corrosion and give it additional attractiveness.

Plastic

Currently, plastic is considered an ideal material for the production of various interior and decor items. Practical, lightweight, cheap, it can look simple and luxurious, imitating the appearance of natural materials and at the same time excluding their shortcomings. For rooms with high air humidity, a plastic shelf can be an ideal option.

Glass or mirror

A glass or mirror shelf is a real decoration for any room. Elegant and glamorous designs made of glass and mirrors can add grace and lightness to the room. However, such products have one serious disadvantage - increased fragility. An accidentally dropped object or a sharp blow can lead to very sad consequences.

Types of shelf fastenings

When choosing one or another mounting method for a future wall shelf, you should remember that the mobility and reliability of the entire structure largely depends on your decision. Experts distinguish the following fastening methods for shelves and shelves:


Hanging shelves that are suspended from walls or ceilings look interesting and unusual. The following can be used as a flexible base:

  • braided plaits;
  • belts made of natural or artificial leather;
  • twisted macramé weave;
  • decorative ropes, etc.

With the right approach, a mount can perform not only a utilitarian function, but also become an interesting and unusual decoration. For example, forged sidewalls can be used as reinforced fastenings for wooden or metal structures and will become a harmonious addition to a room in Provence or country style.

Wall shelf design ideas - video

When choosing a shelf for the wall, you should consider the following nuances:


Having trouble choosing a shelf? If possible, we recommend that you contact professional designers with this question, who will help you choose an ideal piece of furniture in all respects.

How to make shelves on the wall with your own hands?

The algorithm for constructing a wall shelf with your own hands is extremely simple and clear.

  • decide on the idea of ​​a future wall shelf;
  • make a pencil sketch and decide on the size and dimensions of the future product;
  • make a design sketch linked to a specific location in the room;
  • Depending on the idea being implemented, select the material and type of fastening.
  • assess the working load on the wall and structure, depending on the load, decide on the use of reinforced or conventional fastening;
  • Make markings on the wall where the structure is installed;
  • cut blanks;
  • assemble individual elements into a finished structure;
  • tinting brackets or hinges;
  • in order for the shelf to look beautiful and neat, its surface can be covered with a special coating, the ends and joints can be processed by grinding or trimming;
  • hang the shelf on the prepared mounts, check their reliability and safety;
  • adjust the horizontal position of the product;
  • arrange decorative items, books and other things that will be stored on the shelf.

If you love everything interesting and unusual and at the same time decorate your home interior yourself, we recommend that you pay attention to any available materials. Sometimes even the most unexpected things can be used for these purposes.

Heading for a walk in the park? Pay attention to unusual branches, rhizomes and stumps - with the right approach, in skillful hands, they can serve as the basis for an exclusive design of a shelf structure.

We can talk endlessly about the benefits of using wall shelves in modern interiors of apartments and country houses. However, we recommend not to waste time and pick up a few interesting pieces that will transform the interior space of your home and at the same time add practicality and functionality to the room. With this simple technique you can effectively expand the internal space. Use corner options, asymmetrical, single-tier and multi-tier shelves of various sizes, thereby hiding the imperfections of the interior and emphasizing its advantages.

Making a shelf with your own hands - video

Kitchen shelf - video

This design will fit perfectly into a loft-style interior. To make an original shelf yourself, you won’t need a lot of time or special skills.

Materials and tools

To work you will need:

  • 2 wooden boards.
  • 4 leather belts.
  • 4 short and four long screws with dowels.
  • Stationery knife.
  • Ruler.
  • Drill.
  • Level.

The photo shows the necessary preparations and tools.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's get started:


How to make a shelf from pallets?

Pallets (or pallets) are often used for decorating and making various furniture: tables, cabinets and, of course, shelves.

Materials and tools

To make a shelf with your own hands you will need:

  • A pallet that can be purchased at a hardware store or pallet maker. Some enterprises are willing to give away used containers for free.
  • Circular or hand saw.
  • Sander or coarse sandpaper.
  • Hammer, nails and crowbar.
  • Pencil and tape measure (or ruler).

The photo shows an unfinished pallet from which you can make two wall shelves.

The working process

Let's start making a shelf with our own hands:


Creating a shelf from plywood on the wall

This is an easy and inexpensive way to create functional decoration for any room.

The photo shows triangular-shaped shelves that look great in a nursery.

Materials and tools

To make it you will need:

  • A piece of plywood 2 cm thick.
  • Jigsaw.
  • Wood glue.
  • Sanding machine or sandpaper.
  • Self-tapping screws.
  • Primer.
  • Simple mounting brackets.

The photo shows plywood being cut along pre-drawn lines.

The working process

If all the tools are at hand, let's start creating the shelf:


Laminate floor shelf

It happens that after repairs there are remnants of various materials. There is no need to throw them away - you can make a nice shelf for shoes or decor from laminate scraps. This design will fit perfectly into a hallway or country house.

The photo shows a floor shelf made from leftover laminate flooring.

Materials and tools

  • Pencil and ruler.
  • Electric jigsaw.
  • Universal glue.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's get started:


Options for original shelves using improvised materials

In the modern world, the idea of ​​recycling raw materials is becoming increasingly popular. To contribute to preserving the environment, many people try to reuse things and, using their imagination, create magnificent decorative elements. One such example is original shelves made from unnecessary materials.

Invisible book shelves

If a beautiful, durable, but completely uninteresting book is gathering dust in your apartment, it can easily be turned into an unusual hanging shelf.

The photo shows a bedside shelf for books and personal items, which seems to float in the air.

Materials and tools

To work you need to prepare:

  • Books.
  • Brackets (one for each book).
  • 3 screws (each with two washers).
  • 3 dowels with screws for attaching brackets to the wall.
  • Drill.

The photo shows the necessary tools for making an invisible shelf with your own hands.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's start making:


Shelf-house

This shelf can be used for kitchen utensils or in a nursery for toys.

Materials and tools

To make a shelf with your own hands you will need:

  • Boards or plywood.
  • A jigsaw for cutting parts of the required size.
  • Glue.
  • F-shaped clamps.
  • Primer and paint.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's get started:


Shelf-honeycomb

We offer another budget-friendly way to create an extraordinary hexagonal shelf with your own hands from ice cream sticks.

The photo shows an unusual flower shelf made from scrap materials.

Materials and tools

For work you will need a minimum of materials:

  • Ice cream sticks.
  • Paper and pencil.
  • Glue.
  • Paint or stain, long bristled brush.
  • Wall mounting brackets.

The photo shows the necessary materials for making a honeycomb-shaped shelf.

Step-by-step instruction

To make a neat shelf, you need to be patient:


Hanging shelf on ropes

This shelf will look great in Scandinavian, country and eco-style.

The photo shows an easy-to-make hanging shelf on ropes.

Materials and tools

To create a shelf with your own hands you will need:

  • Drill with drill bit.
  • Blank boards.
  • Sandpaper.
  • Jute rope.
  • Scissors.
  • Paints and brushes.

The photo shows the materials needed to make the shelf. Additionally, clamps may be needed.

Step-by-step instruction

Let's get started:


Video

3 detailed master classes for creating a shelf yourself.

Photo gallery

Creating a shelf with your own hands is a wonderful way to add soulfulness and warmth to the interior, as well as save the family budget.

Do-it-yourself wooden shelves are constructed with simple and combined, open and complemented doors. Easy to process wood allows you to create corner, vertical or horizontal blocks. Natural material is emphasized with varnishes or painted to match the tone of wall panels and decorative elements.

Similar articles:

Types of wooden shelves

Shelves are classified according to installation method into the following types:

  1. hanging;
  2. wall;
  3. floor;
  4. removable;
  5. stationary;
  6. corners, etc.

Wall structures are mounted above pieces of furniture (tables, armchairs, sofas). Blocks are individual decorative elements or included in the overall composition. For seasonings and utensils, a wall shelf can be created from 2 or more modules.

Hanging products should be light and often serve as decorative items. Beautiful antique structures are attached using steel pipes, braided belts, chains, strong ropes, and brackets. Suspended structures are vertically fixed to the ceiling surface and do not have side walls.

Corner structures are attached with self-tapping screws to adjacent wall panels. The blocks can be located separately or be part of a furniture wall. You can add corner shelving to the interior surfaces of the furniture and the exterior walls.

The floor shelves are spacious and can be transformed into a vertical or horizontal position. The designs are optimal for small apartments.

In antique interiors, figured wall shelves (moduses) are used. The blocks are combined into a single composition and placed in living rooms and corridors. The advantage of the modes is the ergonomic use of space.

Shelves differ in design features, being divided into closed and open. The former are used for storing kitchen utensils, as well as cereals, herbs and seasonings. Publications, recipe books, and collectible dishes are placed under glass. Wine shelves for collection varieties can also be closed.

Open racks are designed for spices in sealed jars, indoor plants, designer plates, vases, souvenirs, etc. Plywood shelves are easy to use and ergonomic.

The design of the structures varies according to the design of the room. The interior of a home of a special style requires appropriate pieces of furniture.

Rooms in classical and Provençal styles will be complemented by laconic wooden structures. Natural textures are emphasized with transparent or translucent varnish, decorated with carved ornaments, and artificially aged. Shelves in Provence style rooms are decorated using decoupage techniques or painted in pastel shades.

High-tech rooms are decorated with shelves in soft colors and laconic geometric shapes. LED lighting is acceptable. Wooden structures are complemented with transparent glass and metal inserts.

Shelving in a modern room should have rounded edges and non-standard curved configurations. The shelves are complemented with carved fragments or floral ornaments.

In rooms decorated in country style, shelves with minimal finishing, painted or decorated by brushing, are preferred. Designs made from pallets, boxes, and crates are acceptable.

The romantic style is emphasized by designs with forging elements, complemented by engraving and patterns.

A shabby chic room is decorated with shelves painted in light shades. The designs are often modular, consisting of several compact wall-mounted units.

Choosing wood and necessary tools

Wood is practical, versatile, and easy to process. For shelves, novice craftsmen are recommended types of wood with a soft structure (pine, aspen, alder, linden).

When selecting, you need a material with an even outer layer, without deformation. The boards must be well dried, without cracks, voids, knots, or mold damage.

Stands are also made from wood derivatives (chipboard, laminated chipboard). Plywood shelves are economical, durable, and do not require special processing.

The work will require tools:

  • roulette;
  • table saw;
  • sandpaper;
  • screwdriver;
  • hacksaw or jigsaw;
  • grinding apparatus;
  • electric drill;
  • construction level;
  • fastenings (nails, screws, brackets, dowels);
  • glue;
  • varnish or paint.

Safety regulations require safety glasses and gloves.

What are the shelves attached to?

Long-term use of wooden shelves is ensured by fastenings that are responsible for the ergonomics and functionality of the structure.

There are several types of fastenings:

  • dowels and anchors;
  • staples;
  • belts;
  • hooks, etc.

Strong fasteners with fixation are the most reliable. The shelves are attached to the wall panel with dowels and anchors, giving the structure strength. The method is optimal for structures for heavy objects. The disadvantage of fastening is the complex dismantling process, which requires additional cosmetic repairs to the room.

Suspended structures are attached to the ceiling or to the wall with your own hands using belts, strong ropes, harnesses, ropes, etc. The mount not only performs functional tasks, but is also a design decoration for the interior.

Brackets for removable shelves are hung on the wall panel using brackets and hooks.

Wall modules are equipped with an extension method. First, the lower tier is formed, then the upper blocks are attached to the lower ones using holders or removable elements. It is allowed to change the width and height of elements.

Hanging blocks are attached with standard hinges and brackets. Light wood species and MDF boards are recommended for structures. The shelves are screwed on with self-tapping screws, which are located in the side sections.

Step-by-step instructions for making a simple rectangular shelf

A step-by-step guide to making a rectangular shelf includes several steps:

  1. processing of raw materials;
  2. marking wood boards;
  3. sawing;
  4. grinding;
  5. varnishing or staining;
  6. assembly;
  7. fastening the structure to the wall.

Before creating a wooden shelf, you need to prepare a sketch, take measurements, and calculate the weight of things to be stored. It is necessary to calculate the indicators:

  • width;
  • length;
  • height.

Depending on the weight of the items, boards with a thickness of 20-40 mm are required.

Dimensional characteristics are transferred to the surface of the boards. The materials are fixed with clamps and cut according to the diagram and patterns with a hacksaw. Wooden parts must be sanded to remove cracks and chips. The material for some shelves (in showers, kitchen areas) must have moisture-resistant characteristics, so it is necessary to impregnate the elements.

Then the places for fastenings on the boards are marked. After marking the points, holes are drilled with an electric drill (make sure the openings are horizontal).

Finishing includes rounding of sharp surfaces, engraving, carving of ornaments. Using a burning device, you can create original patterns on surfaces. Depending on the design solution, surfaces can be primed or varnished.

It is possible to preserve the natural texture of wood using stain or special wax. Paints for natural raw materials are recommended to be tempera or acrylic. Work is performed outdoors or in a ventilated area.

Assembly

The work is completed by assembling the parts. Horizontal long boards are connected to short vertical parts using self-tapping screws. At the ends of the boards, 2 fastenings are required.

Modules intended for massive objects are connected with 3-4 self-tapping screws and are supplemented with mounting angles for strength. The vertical parts can be reinforced with short boards, placing them in a vertical position between 2 bases. Additional supports serve as partitions, preventing long shelves from deforming under massive objects.



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