Inside: Add character to any wall with this tutorial for DIY rustic modern floating shelves for about $50!
Here’s a problem you may be able to relate to… I live in a tract home in the suburbs and have a lot of big walls and not a lot of definition when it comes to defining one room from another.
And although I love the open concept, it’s a challenge to add character and interest into a space. But I think I nailed this one and I am super excited to show you these DIY rustic modern floating shelves that we built!
I have to admit, I was a little hesitant at the beginning of this project, but absolutely love how they turned out.
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These Vintage Revivals inspired Modern Rustic Floating Shelves solved 2 main problems for me.
One, they provided definition for my living room (which is actually just part of a giant room right when you walk into my home that includes the entry, dining room, and living room.)
And two, they provided a place for me to display some pretty things. I don’t have a lot of opportunities to do this in my house and think it adds so much personality and warmth.
This post turned out to be really long so I broke it up into 2 parts.
Today I’ll show you how we built the shelves, and tomorrow I’ll show you how we installed them.
Ok. Onward!
Supplies:
(Each of my shelves is 43 inches long, 10 inches deep, and 3 inches tall.)
Just a little FYI… You can order all of your supplies on HomeDepot.com and they will gather it all up for you and all you do is pick it up! No more wandering around the store lost! Yipeeee!
- 1 x 3 wood for the main part of the shelves
- a small sheet of underlayment (5mm) for the tops of the shelves
- hex bolts and washers– 4 per shelf (for the fronts)
- 2 inch wood screws– 4 per shelf (for the backs)
- 1 x 2 wood for the shelf braces
- Stain (optional) -I used an oil based dark walnut like this color
- 3 inch drywall screws (2-3 per shelf)
- finishing nails
Step 1: Cut your wood.
Again, I made five 43 x 10 inch shelves. Your cuts will change if you change the size of the shelf.
- Cut ten, 43 inch long pieces of 1 x 3 wood.
- Cut ten, 8 inch long pieces of 1 x 3 wood.
- Cut fifteen, 8 inch long pieces of 1 x 2 wood.
Step 2: Create a template
Before drilling I made a template so that I made sure I was drilling into the center of my boards. They’re quite thin, and you don’t want them to split. To do this I took an outline of how wide my boards were and marked 2 holes in the center.
I poked holes in the paper where these marks were and used it at the end of my 43 inch boards to mark where I would drill.
Step 3: Pre drill holes for the backs and start a wood screw in each hole.
Be sure that the screws you use have a flat head on them because they will be up against the wall and you don’t want them to interfere with the board being flat against the wall when you install the shelves.
Step 4: Attach side pieces (your eight inch 1 x 3s)
Lay your 43 inch board (the one you just started the screws in) and an eight inch 1 x3 on their sides at 90° and check to make sure they’re square.
Attach the two pieces by screwing in the screw you just started so that it goes into the end of the 8 inch piece.
Step 5: Attach your front boards.
Lay your front board (43 inch board) in place and pre drill a hole through both your front board and the side piece. The size of your pre drilled hole will depend on the size of the hex bolt you are using.
Then, insert the hex bolt with a washer to hold the two pieces together.
Now you have the frames of your shelves!
Step 6: (Optional) Stain your shelves.
Step 7: Cut the tops for the shelves.
Take a measurement of the inside rectangle of your shelf frames and cut a pieces of underlayment just a hair smaller so that the underlayment fits just inside of the frame.
This wood is super thin and will splinter. See this quick tip to make sure the wood doesn’t splinter.
Note**If your tops are slightly too tight, use a sander to shave them down a little bit.
Step 8: Put the tops on.
Take your shelf top (underlayment) and lay it on a flat surface and put your frame over it, making sure that the underlayment fits just inside the shelf frame on all sides.
Lay 3 pieces of your 1 x 2’s on top of the underlayment and from the outside of the frame nail in place with a finishing nail on both sides.
Flip the shelf over (holding the top in place) and you’re done!
*Note: I did not stain the tops of my shelves because I really liked the two-tone look.
RELATED: DIY SHARPIE HEXAGON “WALLPAPER”
The hard part is over! So go kick your feet up and I’ll be back on tomorrow to show you how to install them!
Marty smith says
Are the shelves 2 or 3 inches tall? In your description you state the shelves are 10x43x2 but the supply list says to by 1×3 boards for the shelves? If that is the case wouldn’t the shelves be 3 inches tall?
Corey Willis says
Hey Marty, great question! They’re 3 inches tall.
Rose Minick says
We will try these on each side of our fireplace. I especially love that these are easier to instill than some of the tutorials where you have to make a support bracket first. Can’t wait to get this done and share with you.
Corey Willis says
Hi Rose! Please do share with me at hello@heytherehome.com! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out 🙂
Roberta says
Love these floating shelves! I am sharing this to Pinterest.
Shakera says
What did you use to mount them on the wall?
Corey says
We screwed them directly into the wall. It is part two of that post and you can find it right here.
Linda Weeks says
Yeah, that is one good tutorial. Makes me want to go find our circular saw! I’ll get back to you on it!
Corey W. says
Please do!
Jillian says
I absolutely love these!!! They don’t seem overly complicated to build and they have a rustic chic look that I really like. I think these will be making an appearance in my office!
E.S. Ivy says
Saw these on Pinterest. They’re gorgeous!
amanda says
Hi there- I really love these. I am going to attempt to make them this weekend. Thanks for posting 🙂 Can I ask which colour stain you used?
Thanks again!
Amanda
Corey W. says
Hi Amanda. The stain I used was miniwax in Walnut. It is the perfect shade of brown without being to orange or too dark. I’d absolutely love to see the end result! Please send me pics of your finished project to tinysidekick@gmail.com
Adania says
Hi Corey Could you please share a photo of the entire room. Using your design as a reference for our living room. We have the same room layout, furniture arrangement etc. Love it! Thanks in advance
Adania says
Hi Corey Could you please share a photo of the entire living room. Using this design as a reference for our living room. We have exactly the same layout/furniture/etc. Love it! Thanks for the idea…
ChiWei says
Great tutorial, and I love these shelves! Oh, and I”m also in love with those subtle hexagon walls 🙂
tinysidekick says
Your so sweet! This is definitely one of my favorite rooms in my house now. I have a few little things left to do in here, but it is coming along. Thanks for stopping by!
Val says
We have an open concept home too, and I was wondering what I was going to do with one of our corners by a window. Now I have my answer! The shelves really suit your space. Thank you for a great tutorial, Corey!
Val
Morgan says
These shelves are great! I’m so glad you shared the tutorial! I will definitely be attempting to make some like this for my new craft room!
tinysidekick says
They would be great in a craft room cause they are definitely deep enough to be useful! Loving all of your pinspiration! Can’t wait to see the end result!
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
SUPER awesome! Love these!
tinysidekick says
Thanks Heather!
Jessi @ Practically Functional says
Oh wow, those shelves are gorgeous! I really love the giant bolts and washers holding the corners together. Pinning this, and thanks so much for sharing at Creativity Unleashed!
amy @ commona-my house says
Loved these so much! Such a detailed tutorial and budget friendly project.
Lisa @ Practically Perfect Home says
I love these! I especially love the exposed hardware…it give them just the right amount of ‘industrial’. Pinning! ~Lisa
Tammy says
I just love these … I have been wanting to do this in my dining room ….. great tutorial!!!
Ashley says
This is amazing. I love that you used two different types of wood. Oh, and the print mixing in this room is amazing!!
tinysidekick says
Thank you so much. This room has been a very long work in progress so thank you for your kind words. I’m hoping to finish up the DIY posts from this room soon (including the wall treatment) and get the reveal up! It is my new favorite room in my house.
TidyMom says
these turned out fantastic!! pinned it!
Emily says
Those are too cute! I love this idea! Stopping by from the Weekend Blog Block Party. Have a great weekend!
Emily
Megin says
Awesome, Corey! I can’t wait for part two.
gale says
Great idea! are those hex bolts or lag screws that you used in the front? Hex bolts are not sharp so I’m wondering, if you used them, how you secured them. Lag screws are sharp, like giant screws with a hex head. I’ll check back to see which they are before going shopping. 🙂
tinysidekick says
Hi Gale! I used hex bolts. They were not sharp at the end which is why I pre drilled holes. I just image searched both though and you could use either one I guess. I was mostly going for the finished detail that they gave and they both would look the same on the finished project. I’m excited to hear that you are going to give this a try! Let me know how it goes. And I’d love to see pictures of the outcome!
gale says
awesome-thanks! I think I’d have to drill for either one so I’ll just see what we have on hand first. I do love how the bolt heads look on this.
Courtney says
What a great idea. I love the look of the shelves, the room, and especially your blog!
Erica @fortheloveofdecorating says
These are fantastic! Pinned 🙂 And now, I’m trying to figure out where in my house they can go LOL
Stephanie @ The Styled Soul says
Love these shelves Corey! And so beautifully styled.
Amy W says
Love these. Way to go on building them, I would have been lazy and grabbed some from Target. I’m sure yours will last much longer, too! (I’m totally waiting for the tutorial on your hex walls… sharpie wall paper from Vintage Revivals? I’m DYING to try it out but our walls are mega textured.)
Tasha @ Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body says
These are fabulous, Corey! I think the hex bolt detail is my favorite part. I love industrial touches on pretty things!
Krista @thehappyhousie says
They look fabulous Corey- pinning them!!
Amy @ Homey Oh My! says
Going two-tone was a great choice. It looks so good!! And you styled the shelves so beautifully!