That’s right… ANYONE! These are super simple to build! This is by far my favorite $20 project to date.
Shelves Anyone Can Build
I have been in the process of redoing my oldest son’s room over the last few weeks. I shared his bed HERE and the headboard HERE.
I know one of the next things on my to do list will be a desk, and I knew I wanted some shelving for above it. I found THIS plan on Ana’s site and jumped on it.
If you own a drill (every woman should!) you can build these shelves. I made 2 for my son, and I also made 2 for my younger sister. Each shelf cost $10 to build. Here are a few tips and progress shots…
You will need 2 – 1×4’s and 1 – 1×2 for each shelf. That’s it!
I made 8′ shelves so no need to use a saw. I also used my Kreg Jig, but if you don’t own one you can just pre-drill your holes and use wood screws to attach everything. I prefer drywall screws, but both will work. You will also need wood glue. I started by adding a line of glue where my 1×4’s meet.
Join your boards together like this. Just pre-drill from the back and attach your screws.
Now add some more glue to edge of your bottom 1×4…
And use some finish nails to attach your 1×2!
That’s it! Not even kidding!
I didn’t even worry about filling nail holes because I stained mine and I like the imperfections… So shanty! 😉
I used my new favorite stain on mine…
Rust-Oleum Ultimate Wood Stain in Dark Walnut
I LOVE this stuff… It dries beautifully within an hour… Whoop! You can get it at Lowe’s.
These are super easy to attach to your wall too! I used 2″ drywall screws directly into the studs of the wall. I didn’t even have to cover the screws because the things I put on the shelves covered them easily.
I got them up and took some pictures for you!
And if you aren’t quite convinced please look at this picture…
Yes. Looks familiar! You can find this lovely at Pottery Barn, except it costs $85 for 4′! That’s half the length and 8 times the price. No thank you!
What do you think???
You OFFICIALLY have no excuse to not build! These are easier than putting together anything you can find in a store. I LOVE them.
You can see the detailed plans HERE on Ana’s site!
FINALLY…
Did you like it??? Would you be a dear and PIN IT please?!? I would appreciate it greatly 😉
Thanks so much and happy Tuesday!
~Whitney
Ive been wanting shelves for a while and this is a great idea that doesn’t spend a lot of money on them! (which explains why i haven’t gotten any shelves yet lol)
Thank you!! We made these this weekend and they look amazing!!!! I’m hanging them over my tub in the master bath. I think they might look better than Pottery barn only because of the rougher finish!! Did I say Thannk you!!!?? Now Im deciding where else I might use these–maybe a series of them in a hallway for a gallery look with picture frames!? –can’t wait!
love–thanks again for sharing and saving me some moola!!
Just what I’ve been looking for!! I’m going to build for my craft room, love your taste that’s the exact color stain I’ll use already did my desk and then crates to stack for bookcase and other junk… thanks bunches
How did you mount them to the wall? Could I just screw directly into my walls where I find studs? Do I need to pre-drill holes? I am not that handy and neither is my husband. We have limited tools. Could we just screw them directly into the walls?
Jennifer..did you know that you can rent tools? Or borrow from a relative or neighbor? Buy one power tool at a time or when yours or your husband’s birthdays come around or Christmas, ask for a power tool. I don’t know what the cost of renting tools would be but why not ask a relative or friend that owns or knows how to use the power tools work with you and hubby and show you how to use them? My DH has so many power tools and he can’t physically use them now but I’ve worked along side of him enough in 50 years that I wouldn’t be afraid to try to use them, but I’d still want him to show me how and be there when I first start using them to show me the proper way to use them and the safety issues. Good Luck! You can do this, you can!
I am very new to this and have a question. I had my wood cut at Lowe’s as I do not have a saw and all the ends and edges are really frayed. Is there any way to avoid that and would they be less frayed if I tried cutting the pieces myself?
I never thought about asking Lowe’s or Home Depot to cut lumber to size you need. I knew they did because we’ve had them to cut MDF or plywood for us before but only one or two cuts. I think they cut a certain number free, then they charge for anything over that. Best to ask before hand. I think I would do that with this project, because we don’t have a truck anymore and I would need to be able to fit the boards in my car.
Buy some sandpaper and a sand paper block or wrap the sandpaper around a block of wood and sand those “fray edges” or if you know somebody that owns an electric sander, ask them if they can sand it smooth for you. Ask them to let you see how it is done and you’ll learn from that. Price out some power tools..Craftsman tools from Sears have always been good, Ryobi is good as is Black and Decker. We had a Black and Decker power drill to burn up on us when we were drilling pressure treated lumber on time and it was only a few months old, called the 800# and sent a letter, and in a week they shipped us a brand new drill.
Thanks for the instructions. I’ve just made one for my son’s room.
Please visit my blog to have a look at the pictures 😉
http://lifecapturedfullness.blogspot.com/2012/12/first-diy-20-shelves-for-willies-big.html.
Working on these this weekend for our home library for books. So far it’s been a breeze and can’t wait to see the finished product. Did you use a polyurethane finish or a seal after the stain or just the stain?
Thanks so much for this tutorial! I just made my own shelf and am in LOVE! I can’t believe how easy it was too. Thanks again!! You can check it out here it you want – http://breezypinkdaisies.blogspot.com/2012/10/my-beautiful-diy-shelf.html
This is a great idea! I wanted to do EXACTLY this in my hallway above my newly re-painted hall cabinet and for some reason could not conceptualize it. Thanks for the idea!! Running to Lowe’s right now 😉 Oh, and I bought the “dark walnut” stain a while back to build the “FAMILY” sign you designed, so I have a ton left over! I have so many ideas to use it for now! I even build some “pallet” type boxes to use as drawers in my hall cabinet- 16″ wide by 22″ deep, and used the dark walnut stain. I am attaching a picture of the progress… your blog inspired me! The cabinet used to be a light maple color- I painted and antiqued it and swapped out the middle cabinet for the pallet type drawers. Loving it now!
your projects are so inspiring. i actually have been looking for something simple and stylish such as this for a shelf im building above the inside of my shower. something to store my shower bottles yet using what little space i have to work with. im over pre made wire caddys and really wanted to get creative. my only concern is it holding up to shower steam and what wood would be appropriate for water.
Honestly, I don’t know the best wood for that! It’s a great idea! If it were me, I would just go with the pine and know you may have to replace it in a year or 2. Just my call 😉 Good luck!!
When I saw this post I was THRILLED. I have been looking at Pottery Barn shelves for the past month wanting to buy 4 of the 3′ Holman shelves for a total of $150. However, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. $150!!! Happily my story ends with me finding your site, follow your instructions, and building my shelves for a total of $35! Thank you SO very much for sharing!!
*My husband also wanted me to make sure I sent his thanks as well seeing how you saved him so much money…LOL!
Love these! I’m gonna make these for my son this summer. Did you use pine?
I did Jana! Good luck!
I was wondering, what do you use to sand down the boards? and at what step do you sand? After putting it together?
Thanks!
Hi Liz,
I usually just use a little hand sanding block with a 120 grit sand paper. I sand the corners and ends of the boards quickly before attaching everything. Hope this helps!!
Making these today !!! Love this !!
These are awesome! Just the thing I need for my latest project, our multi-task room. How did you attach to the wall. With hangers it more securely attached to the wall?