How to Build a Simple Wall Shelf Using Materials You Buy

Photo credit to zachklein.

You might think that building your own wall shelves requires advance carpentry skills and special tools. But in actuality, building a simple wall shelf is not much more difficult than hanging butterfly wall art oroutdoor metal wall decor. A trip to the local hardware store will provide all the materials needed to build a wall shelf that is both attractive and functional.

Purchase Brackets and Shelving

First, decide how long and how wide you want the shelf to be. Most cut-to-length fir or oak shelving comes in standard widths – 3-3/4”, 5-3/4”, 11-5/8” being the most common. If you need a different width, many lumber yards can rip the shelf for you for a fee.

Melamine shelving usually comes in even widths such as 4”, 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”. It is quite common for melamine shelving to come in standard lengths such as 24”, 36” and 48” inches as well.

If you do purchase cut-to-length melamine, you will need to take it to a cabinet maker so the cut ends can have melamine tape applied to them. This will make the shelf look finished and seal the particle board from humidity and moisture.

Once you have settled on the size of your shelf, you can begin your search for shelf brackets. There are many shelf bracket designs available today.

Decorative wood brackets always look good and are very easy to hang. In most cases, all you need is a sturdy screw for each bracket.

Then there are decorative wrought iron brackets in both black and white versions. You will find many styles to pick from. Almost all of them install using screws. Because holes are usually provided to secure the shelf to the bracket, you can attach the long side to the wall for a narrow shelf or the short side for a wider shelf.

If you are facing a tight budget, consider purchasing metal “closet” shelf brackets. The hooks make the perfect place to hang a live or silk plant. By the time the plant is in place, you don’t notice the industrial appearance of the shelf bracket. You can also use the hooks to swag a decorative element, such as a garland—perfect during the holidays.

If you like the clean lines of no bracket at all, there are two options that are on the market. One called a “jams” bracket is commonly seen in modern bathrooms. The bracket is secured to a stud in the wall and then clamps onto the shelf (usually glass). While the bracket looks quite small, it holds the shelf securely.

The other shelf design that uses no brackets is one known as a floating shelf. With this shelf design, you attach a metal or wood bar to the wall studs, slide the shelf over the bar, and then insert screws into the shelf that anchor it to the bar.

Photo credit to smalltownguy22.

Accomplishing a Neat Installation

The trick to making your shelf look good, no matter what style of shelf you choose, is to use a carpenter’s level. A laser stud finder/laser level can make the job even easier. If you try to “eyeball” it, you’ll end up with a slanting shelf most of the time.

Determine just how high you want the shelf to be. In most cases, about eye level works well. Locate the studs in the wall. If you don’t, your shelf won’t be able to take any weight and will pull out of the wall. Mark the position of the screw holes along one of the studs placing a bracket at the height you want it.

Now, use your level to mark the screw-hole position for the bracket on the next stud. If your shelf is 4’, you will need three brackets to support the shelf properly. In this case, mark the positions of the outside brackets first. Put the shelf up, and then mark the position of the central bracket, making sure that the bracket is centered between the other two. As long as you mark one screw position for each bracket, your shelf will be perfectly level.

The next trick for a good installation is to drill a pilot hole for each of the holes in the bracket. Make sure that the drill bit is slightly smaller than the screw you are using to mount the brackets. Then make sure that you use long enough screws to hold the brackets securely. Usually 2-1/2 to 3” will do the job. Make sure that the size is at least a #10 screw so the head doesn’t snap off.

Once you have the brackets securely in place, put the shelf in position. Measure the thickness of the shelf. This is the length of screw you will use to secure the shelf to the brackets. You don’t want the shelf falling off or tipping. And you don’t want the screws popping through the top. These don’t have to be large screws, just large enough so the heads don’t go through the holes in the brackets.

That’s all there is to it. Take your time. Do the job carefully, and you will be very pleased with your simple wall shelf.