Hey guys! If you need a quick and easy project this weekend, this one is for you!I have been on a mission to fill up this blank wall. It’s a walkway so I didn’t want anything sticking at from the wall too much. I came up with these DIY $5 Shelves with Leather Straps!

DIY-Shelves-with-Leather-Straps

They are perfect for a narrow space and you can make them as long or as short as you want! 

Here’s how 🙂

cut-boards

I started by cutting a 1×4 for each shelf. I cut mine at 32″.

wipe-on-stain

Next, I applied one coat of Kona stain by Varathane. I just wiped it on with a clean cloth, waited for it to dry for about 5 minutes then wiped the stain with a separate clean cloth to blend the stain.

apply-vaseline

When the stain dried, I rubbed a thin layer of vaseline around all of the edges and then added some to the board face.

apply-paint

Then, I applied one coat of a dark gray paint over the entire board.

distress-shelves

When the paint dried, I used my Ryobi Corner Cat Sander, with an 80-grit sanding pad, to distress the entire board. (You can also use sandpaper for this part).

Now to make them ready to hang!

strong-ties

These “L” brackets were the best way I could think of to hang these shelves. They are under $1 each at Home Depot (near the lumber).

predrill-for-metal-brackets

I flipped the board upside down and predrilled through the brackets into the bottom of the shelves. The long side of the brackets will be on the bottom of the shelves. (I placed my brackets 2″ from the ends of the board).

leather-straps

I found these leather straps at Hobby Lobby for about $2.50 each (when they were on sale). You will need 1 full strap for each shelf.

cut-leather

I cut them to size, with scissors. I cut 2 at 12″ and 2 at 9″ for each shelf.

attach-back-leather-strap

I used my Airstrike Stapler to attach the short pieces of leather to the back edge of the shelf (you can use finishing nails or hot glue, as well). The leather strap is going up from the edge of the board.

attach-strong-ties

Then, I attached the “L” brackets to the bottom of the shelf (notice the back piece of leather s between the board and the bracket).

hot-glue-leather

leather-covering-metal-bracket

Then, I added hot glue to one end of the long leather straps and attached them to the bottom of the shelf to cover the “L” brackets.

Now, to attach them to the wall.

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I used my Ryobi Phone Works Laser Level to mark my level lines, where the shelves will be hanging

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and marked where my studs were.

attach-bracket-to-wall

Next, I attached the other end of the “L: brackets to the wall with 2” screws. (If you have a stud here that is great, if not, use a wall anchor to reinforce the screws).

cut-leather-to-fit

To make the shelves look like they are hanging by the leather straps, I pulled the long strap up to meet the short strap. (I wanted my ends to be even with each other so I cut the longer strap down.

attach-leather-pieces-to-wall

Finally, I used my Airstrike Stapler to attach them both to the wall. You can also use finish nails and a hammer here.

attach-clavos

To finish them off, I added an iron clavo to each strap. You can find them HERE on Amazon. You can really use any decorative bolt here.

I added a few decorative pieces and called it a day 🙂

Easy-DIY-Shelves

DIY-Ledge-with-Leather

DIY-Shelves-with-Leather-Straps

Now for the giveaway! Two lucky winners will receive Ryobi Tools 6-piece Combo Kit,

6piececombo

a Phone Works Laser Level

ryobi-laser-level

and a Phone Works Stud Finder!

ryobi-stud-finder

All you have to do is follow Ryobi Tools and Shanty2Chic on Instagram!

Good luck 🙂

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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30 Comments

  1. Just saw this post as we have done this but used the straps, after we dyed them with the wood stain we used on the shelves, as a sling. We looped the leather and then placed the shelf into the loops on each end. We also used 2 x 10 and cut it in 48in lengths. We like them so well we are doing them again on the other side of our living room…so I was looking for more leather.
    Love the rustic look!

  2. Can you tell me where you got that large thumb tack? And did you make those frames? Thank you!

  3. Thanks so much for the great ideas! This was exactly what I was looking for to add a little pop to my daughter’s kitchen play area in her room where remodeling.

  4. Hi, this is a stupid question lol but I am new to drilling but I really want to make these shelves! What kind of screws did you drive into the board/how long are they? And what kind of screws did you drill into the wall?

    1. Hi Jasmine,
      Not a dumb question at all! I used 2″ screws with anchors to attach them to the wall and tiny little screws to attach to the board. They have to be under 3/4″ so they don’t pop through the shelves. Hope this makes sense!

  5. Oh did you already do the give away? I have been looking everywhere for this post once I found it on instagram. I bought the wood and had so many questions because I couldnt figure out the rest. thank you so much for posting this. I can not wait to put this idea in my nursery