How to Build a Floating Shelf

Hello friends! Today I’m sharing all the DIY details on how to build a floating shelf like the one I added to my laundry room.

Because I painted this floating shelf the same color as the walls (Sherwin Williams Hitching Post Black) it almost disappears. It’s a disappearing floating shelf that merges form with function so perfectly. Plus it was super easy to build!

Before we dive into the project details, here’s a crappy iPhone pic that shows you the other reason I chose to build this floating shelf above the machines. My washing machine isn’t tall enough to cover the connections. This shelf hides the connections in addition to providing some storage space for my laundry essentials. Win-win!

DIY Details

Tools & Supplies Needed

• Nail Gun or Hammer & Nails
• Liquid Nails
• Stud Finder
• Level
• Caulk
• Compound Miter Saw or Hand Saw *See note below*
• Paint or Stain
• 3 – 1 x 3 x 6’s for shelf supports
• 1 – 1 x 6 x 6 for the shelf front
• 1 – 1 x 8 x 6 for the shelf top
• Optional – decorative moulding to frame out front of shelf

For the purpose of this tutorial I’m sharing the specific lumber I used to build this shelf, but you can use this tutorial to build a floating shelf to your own specific measurements. I would have used 2 x 4’s for this project had I not already had the 1 x 3’s in my pile of scrap wood leftover from another project.

*If you don’t own a saw, you can take your specific measurements to the hardware store and have the wood cut in store. So don’t let that keep you from giving a project like this a try!

Directions

If you don’t have your wood cut to size at the hardware store. Start by measuring and cutting two 1 x 3’s to the desired width of your shelf.

Does a floating shelf need studs? Yes!

So use a stud finder to mark the studs to give your shelf a good, strong supportive base , and…..

(I opted to only use nails with this piece, so if I ever want to remove the shelf there won’t be any major drywall damage.)

Then cut down a 1 x 3 into four 4 inch shelf supports, and using both liquid nails and a nail gun…….

Keep in mind that the number of supports you’ll need will depend on how wide your shelf is and what you plan to display on top of your shelf. If you want your shelf to be stable and strong err on the side of too many.

Use liquid nails and a couple nails to attach.

(Sidenote – If I’d been using 2 x 4’s I would not have doubled up the back support pieces. One 2 x 4 would have been strong enough for the back support. )

Then…….

You’ll definitely want to double check that this piece is exactly the right size before moving on to the next step because once you attach the front piece to your shelf it’ll be a huge pain to undo it if your shelf doesn’t fit. So double check that your top shelf piece fits. There should be no more than an inch of overhang from the shelf supports.

Again, using liquid nails and a couple nails to hold the pieces together. Then once the glue is dry, install your shelf and caulk the seam where the boards meet.

I used lattice moulding to trim out the front of the shelf for more of a decorative look. Just did straight cuts and then caulked the seams. Then I gave the shelf a light sanding and painted! Voila! Simple and easy! A little bit of a process, but a project that is easy to knock out in an afternoon. And one you can totally rock all by yourself! No help needed!

I hope this tutorial is helpful. Let me know if you decide to tackle a floating shelf project in your home, and please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!