How to Build Shelves

Is building your own shelf your next DIY project? Here you can get ideas for different kinds of shelves and building hacks on how to best build them. Take a look at our discussion boards, video tutorials, top projects, and slideshows. You can even go ask a question that's been puzzling you about how to build shelves. Make yourself at home.

Create Storage with Shelves
Cut and assemble parts
Your shelf may only have one part, or it may have several. Cut the pieces needed and assemble them.
Sand and stain materials
Use 100- or 150-grit sandpaper to sand each piece of the shelf and stain it in your desired color before installation.
Build and install a wall cleat
A wall cleat is a piece of wood that your shelf will adhere to. This ensures it’s securely on the wall.
Keep a level handy
Use a level when installing a wall cleat to a wall in order to ensure the shelf is installed straight.
Attach the shelf to the wall
Fit the shelf to the wall using the wall cleat and voila, you now have extra storage space.
Top Shelf Building Projects

We've compiled the top DIY projects for building shelves. Prepare to be inspired.

DIY Shelf Building Videos

Looking for video tutorials to get you started with your first DIY shelving unit?

Filing Cabinet-Turned-Garage Organization

For the last few years, Rob and I have had this ugly, old filing cabinet down in our basement. He got it from his uncle and we used it to store his old business files, tax documents, and other paperwork that we didn't need on a daily basis but when we decided to overhaul the basement, we decided we were going to put it to the curb. However, I came across a really cool idea that ended up not being as much work as I had thought it would be, and now this ugly, clunky hunk of metal looks a whole lot nicer and is serving a purpose!

How to Build a Hula Hoop Shelf – A Stylish Storage Solution

You probably wouldn't traditionally associate hula hoops with storage space, but this project will show you that it's time to start thinking of making a hula hoop shelf whenever you're short of storage space. This is a versatile item, as the hula hoop shelf can either be free standing or attached to the wall.By reusing old hula hoops or purchasing new hoops for $1, you don't have to break the bank for this project. I used copper spray and stained wood to produce a rustic shelving unit, but you can change the colors to match the decor of your home.

DIY Pull-Out Cabinet Shelves for Under $30 Each

Do you ever forget about kitchen items you own because they ended up buried in the back of one of your cabinets? Deep base cabinets are great for the storage of large pots and pans, but things often get pushed to the back and forgotten about or left there to avoid having to bend down and dig them out. Pull-out cabinet shelves are the perfect solution to that problem and make the best use of all available storage by making it easily and instantly accessible!I built pull-out cabinet shelves for my kitchen base cabinets and could not be happier with how much function they add to our kitchen. Even though the storage space was there all along, it was virtually hidden and the pull-out shelves brought our stored items back into use. This project was not difficult but if you are unfamiliar with using pocket hole screws, it may take a bit of practice and therefore, I would describe it as a medium difficulty project.

Your Easy Guide to Making DIY Floating Shelves Shaped Like Mountains

In this tutorial, I’ll be helping you through my step-by-step guide to creating DIY shelves. I focus on one of my finest creations in this guide, my mountain DIY floating shelves, but the stages can be applied to any DIY shelves design that you want to make a reality.As I have sectioned out each phase of this potentially tricky job, you’ll find it easy to follow the steps and end up with a great-looking shelf.The glory of my mountain DIY floating shelves is that I can hang them up anywhere and they won’t look out of place. As the design is simple but impactful, all that you’ll want to do is change the paint color scheme to suit the room that you want to hang up your DIY shelves in.My DIY shelves are hanging proudly in my son’s bedroom, adding some style to the room as well as providing a place for him to put some of his stuff.

New DIY Shelf Building Projects

Need some inspiration for your DIY shelf project? We have all the new projects.

Browse Shelf Building Projects
Cloffice: How to Make an Office in a Closet
Cornered Into a Shelf
DIY Pallet Bookshelves
DIY Window Plant Shelf
Live Edge Floating Shelf With Invisible Hardware
Quick and Easy Picture Shelves
Boat Shelf From Reclaimed Pallet Wood
Repurposed Door Corner Shelf
Wall Pantry Storage Solution
Built-in-the-Wall Shelving - Reclaiming Hidden Storage Space
Living Room Built Ins
How to Build a Stylish Over-the-Toilet Shelf Idea in 7 Steps
Our DIY Built-in Media Center Reveal (Material List & Cost Included)
DIY Closet Loft
DIY Moon Shelf
bathroom vanity, extra side storage
Transform Your Rustic Farmhouse Table With a Unique Tabletop Riser
New Custom Pantry Replaces Our Tiny Shallow Closet
Built in Floating Pantry Shelves
UpCycle a Vintage Door
Fast & Easy DIY Pallet Coat Rack {20 Min. Project!}
Floating Shelves | Diagonal Heavy Duty for Garage Corner
DIY Floating Shelf
Transformation of a Microwave Cabinet
Easy Shelves for Linen Closet
Easy Wood Pallet Rack for Pots and Pans!
A Brilliant Solution for Small Bathrooms With No Counter Space!
Removable Window Shelf for Plants
Super Easy DIY Picture Ledge
Floating Crate Bookshelf
DIY Giant Pegboard Shelving Without Drilling Into Your Walls
How to Build Tie Fighter Floating Shelves for Kids Bedroom
DIY Master Bedroom Closet Makeover on a Budget
$20 DIY Floating Shelves
Organizing Books and TV With Built-In Alcove Shelving
Built-In Desk Reveal
Side of Cabinet Storage: How to DIY an Easy Cookbook & Utensil Holder!
In-the-wall Shelves for a Tiny Half Bath
Simple Open Shelving on a Budget
Build a Simple Shelf Bracket for Any Space From Scrap Wood!
Garden Tool Storage Idea for Garage
Linen Closet Renovation: DIY Closet Shelving The Lazy Girl Way
Get Trendy Anthropolgie Storage Using a Cake Pan
Old Metal Shelf Becomes New Work Bench
Three Peaks Mountain Shelf
DIY Covers for Wire Shelving
Closet Door Built-In Storage
How to Make a DIY Fireplace Mantel & Built-in Bookcases
Make Two Amazing Projects Out Of A Cheese Box
DIY Skateboard Deck Shelf Upcycle
Repurposed Bookshelf
How to Install Open Shelves in a Nook
Yoga Mat Wall Holder
Picture Rails!!
Built-in Kitchen Wall Shelves!
Ski Shelf
DIY Built-in Bookcases
Super Easy DIY Shoe Storage
Arch Shelf DIY
How to Build a DIY Thin Shelf For Behind Your Couch