Rustic Modern DIY Floating Shelves: Part One
Here's a problem you may be able to relate to: I live in a tract home in the suburbs with a lot of large blank walls and not a lot of definition when it comes to separating one room from another.
While I love the open concept layout, it can be a challenge to add character and interest to a space.
That's exactly why this DIY floating shelves project ended up being such a game changer for our living room! I'll be honest, I was a little hesitant at the beginning of this project, but I absolutely love how they turned out.
I'm so excited so show you this tutorial for building rustic modern DIY floating shelves. And the best part? These shelves will add character to any wall for only about $50!
Why We Built These DIY Floating Shelves
These floating shelves solved two main problems for me:
First, they provided definition for our living room, which is actually just one section of a large open space that includes the entry, dining room, and living room).
Second, they created a place to display pretty decor and personal items. I don't have a lot of opportunities to do this in our home, and adding shelves instantly brought warmth, personality and a more finished look to the room.
This Is A Two-Part Floating Shelves Project
Before we dive in, I want to clarify how this project is broken up.
In Part One, (this post) I walk you through exactly how we built these rustic modern DIY floating shelves - from cutting the wood to assembling the frames.
In Part Two, I show you how we installed the floating shelves, including how we secured them to the wall so they're sturdy and level.
Ok... Onward!
Supplies For DIY Floating Shelves
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read the full disclosure.
The supplies are for one shelf 43 inches long, 10 inches deep, and 3 inches tall. I made 5 shelves.
- 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 inch x 2 inch wood for shelf braces
- 3 inch drywall screws (2-3 per shelf)
- Finish nails
- Stain (optional - I used oil based dark walnut)
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!
How to Build Floating Shelves
Step 1: Cut your wood
I made five shelves that measure 43 x 10 inches, but you can adjust the size and quantity based on your own space.
- 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 drilling template
Before drilling I made a simple paper template to ensure I drilled into the center of each board. Since the boards are thin, this helps prevent splitting.
I traced an outline the width of the board and marked two centered holes.
I poked through the paper where those marks were and used the template on the ends of the 43-inch boards to mark spots where I would drill.
Step 3: Pre-drill holes for the back screws
Pre-drill your holes and start a wood screw in each one.
Important: Use flat-head screws because they will be up against the wall and you want them to sit flush when the shelves are installed.
Step 4: Attach the side pieces
Lay your 43-inch board (the one you started the screws in) and an 8-inch 1 x3 on their sides at a 90° angle and make sure they're square.
Attach them by driving the pre-started screw into the end of the 8-inch piece.
Step 5: Attach the front boards
Position your front 43-inch board in place and pre-drill through both the front and side pieces. The size of the hole will depend on the size of the hex bolt you're using.
Insert the hex bolt and washer to secure the pieces together.
At this point you'll have the basic frame for each shelf!
Step 6: (Optional) Stain your shelves
If you're staining, now is the time. I chose a dark walnut stain for contrast, but this step is completely optional depending on your style.
Step 7: Cut the shelf tops
Measure the inside opening of each shelf frame and cut the underlayment just a hair smaller so the underlayment fits neatly inside.
This wood is super thin and prone to splintering. See this no-fail tip to cut wood without splintering.
If your tops are slightly too tight, use a sander to shave them down a little bit.
Step 8: Attach the shelf tops
Lay the underlayment flat and place your shelf frame over it, making sure that the underlayment fits just inside the shelf frame on all sides.
Add three 1 x 2 pieces across the top of the underlayment and from the outside of the frame secure them with a finish nail on both sides.
Flip the shelf over (holding the top in place) and you're done!
I didn't stain the tops because I loved the two-tone look.
Now that the shelves are built, the next step is getting them on the wall.
👉 Head to Part Two to see exactly how we installed these DIY floating shelves.
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Final Thoughts On These DIY Floating Shelves
These rustic modern DIY floating shelves are one of those projects that add instant impact without requiring a huge budget or complicated tools. They’re a great example of how floating shelves can completely change the look and feel of a room - especially in an open-concept home.
If you want to see how these shelves fit into our home as a whole (and check out more of our DIY projects), be sure to visit Tour Our Home And Our DIY Home Decor Projects for more inspiration and ideas.
P.S. What if I told you there's a whole new (and way easier) way to decorate your home—without the overwhelm, indecision, or endless Pinterest scrolling.
Inside my online decorating program, Style Your Way Home, I'll walk you through the process of discovering and defining your decorating style, creating a home decor plan, and show you how to apply it in any space so each room is unique while maintaining a cohesive look that feels like YOU! - When you join now, you'll get direct support from me... it's like having a design BFF in your back pocket!
