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February 24, 2020

How to Build Thick Floating Shelves from Plywood

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Alright everyone…if y’all are looking for a fun and entertaining blog post, then you’ve come to the wrong place! Today I’ll be sharing a detailed tutorial for the floating shelves we have installed all over the house, most recently in the office and bathrooms.

How to build floating shelves

I love these shelves because they are simple, functional, and budget-friendly. The thickness is my favorite part…they look like they cost a lot of time and/or money, even though that isn’t the case. They are made from plywood so the thickness is fake….they are actually hollow in the middle.

*This tutorial is for floating shelves that are attached to the wall on three sides. It is possible to make a floating shelf that is attached to only the back wall, but you will need to slightly alter this tutorial and buy a bracket LIKE THIS. 

MATERIALS NEEDED

  • Plywood (we used 3/4 inch)
  • Stud finder
  • tape measure
  • pencil
  • level
  • table saw (or something like the Kreg Rip Cut)
  • miter saw
  • brad nailer
  • 3-inch sheetrock screws
  • wall anchor (maybe)
  • putty, sandpaper, caulk, and paint and paintbrush (if you choose to paint them)

 

HOW TO MEASURE & INSTALL THE HIDDEN SUPPORTS

First, you will need to locate studs in the back and side walls and mark them with a pencil. (If your shelves are not deep enough to reach the closest stud you will need to use sheetrock anchors.)

build floating shelves

Then use a level to mark a line across the back and side walls at whatever height you choose for the shelf.

how to build shelves

Next you will cut your hidden shelf supports.

  • Back supports – Cut a 1”x2” board 2” shorter than the length of your shelf (you will need one of these for each shelf).
  • Side supports – Cut a 1”x2” board 1” shorter than the desired depth of your shelf (you will need two of these for each shelf).

Next you will attach them to the wall, placing the support on your pre-marked line. Start with the side supports, butting them up to the back wall and attaching to the studs using 3″ sheetrock screws (make sure you are drilling through the wide part of the board and not the narrow one). If there is not a stud near the leading edge of the shelf you will need to use sheetrock anchors.

After the side supports are in place, add the back support. The finished product should look like this –

shelves with hidden supports

shelf building tutorial

HOW TO MAKE FLOATING SHELVES OUT OF PLYWOOD

Once your hidden supports are installed it’s time to make the actual shelves. Here is what the finished product looks like…hopefully having this visual in your head will make these instructions easier to understand.

DIY thick floating shelves

First, you will cut the two outer shelf pieces. Measure your back wall, this will be the length of your shelf. Make this cut on the light side (maybe a 1/4 inch less than the back wall dimension) or else the shelf will be too tight to slide into place later. After you have cut your shelves to length, cut them to whatever depth you have chosen for your shelves, minus 3/4 of an inch. For example, our shelves are 12 inches deep, so we cut them to 11 1/4 inches. This is because you will be adding a front fascia piece later, which will add 3/4 of an inch in depth.

Next, you need to cut the inner spacers. Cut two boards 4” shorter than the length of your shelf. Make sure that the thickness of the spacer is either the same or slightly thicker than the wall supports. Then assemble the shelf as shown in the picture.

How to build thick shelves

Are you still with me? We’re almost finished! Now you will need to add the front fascia piece, which will cover up the innards and make your shelf look faux thick. Cut a 1” x 4” board to the length of your shelf and then rip it to the thickness of the shelves. Attach it with wood glue and brad nails, just like the rest of the pieces.

Faux thick shelving tutorial

Now just slide the shelf onto the wall supports! You shouldn’t need to attach the shelf to the supports as the tolerances should be tight.

how to make thick floating shelves

hidden shelf supports

Then just caulk and paint!

DIY shelf tutorial

Not too hard, right? I can’t tell if this tutorial was easy to follow or clear as mud, so if you have any questions please ask in the comments!

Update – CLICK HERE to see the finished office!

 

You may also like –

  • How to raise your cabinets and add a shelf
  • DIY industrial pipe shelving
  • How to choose a paint color (and get it right the first time!)
  • DIY pantry reveal!
  • House tour

Filed Under: Building/Woodworking, DIY Basics, Home Improvement, Popular Posts, Projects24 Comments

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Comments

  1. Kimberly says

    February 25, 2020 at 10:31 am

    Seems simple enough! And super clean looking without the brackets showing. Thanks for the tutorial :)

    Reply
  2. Kyle says

    February 26, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    Great design. I have one argument however.

    You should never use sheetrock screws for any load bearing application. The have no shear strength and will snap eventually when loads are applied.

    Best to use a construction screw instead.

    Other than that, great project!

    Reply
  3. Adam says

    February 26, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Kyle is absolutely correct.
    My bad, I used construction screws in the project and referred to them generically as Sheetrock screws. I will get Ashley to update the post accordingly. Good catch Kyle!

    Reply
    • Mindy says

      March 13, 2023 at 7:18 pm

      The instructions still read sheet rock screws. I’m glad I came down to the reviews section!

      Reply
  4. Jem Horwood says

    March 4, 2020 at 2:39 am

    Those are really nice shelves, and the project looks doable. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  5. Pamela says

    March 6, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    The thickness really gives it an upgraded look. I’ve built shelving before but I need to go back and make these thicker shelves, looks great!

    Reply
  6. Bianca says

    March 14, 2020 at 5:07 pm

    I loved a tip, I’ll do it at home !!

    Reply
  7. Sophia White says

    March 26, 2020 at 10:30 pm

    That’s a great idea to use unused space in house. I’m planning to make some shelves in my bedroom’s empty space.
    Thank you very much for such a good tips.

    Reply
  8. Sharon Haynes says

    April 5, 2020 at 7:57 am

    Thank you for your office finish out, gave me a good laugh along with the inspiration to tackle something productive today :-). It’s beautiful, congratulations! I’ll be browsing more of your posts if I fail at being productive on my feet….

    Reply
  9. Jay says

    May 4, 2020 at 11:48 pm

    nice job, for the beginner, if you do not know how to use stud findder while doing some DIY home renovation , try to know the plasterboard by your fingure you will feel the different

    Reply
  10. Larry says

    May 19, 2020 at 1:39 am

    Such a nice built, good idea for me to try in my apartment Avenue South Residence . :)

    Reply
  11. Linda W says

    June 22, 2020 at 11:12 am

    I like tho idea! Its very imaginative. I think, I might try it in my bathroom.

    Reply
  12. Ohyler Russell says

    December 15, 2020 at 2:13 pm

    It is very clear and relatable. I’m not a skilled anything but I believe I can do this and will try it this weekend. I like the support shelves against the wall, but the plywood shelves appear intimidating to me. I will attempt to have my husband handle that part.

    Reply
  13. Arnold says

    February 7, 2021 at 11:14 pm

    Your shelf is 4″ thick? Sorry, I was getting lost. If the shelf.is.4″ thick, how’d you arrive to that if the plywood is 3/4 (top) and 3/4 (bottom) and then the middle is 2″. Wouldn’t that be 3 1/2″?

    Reply
  14. ΕΙΡΉΝΗ says

    May 17, 2022 at 2:19 am

    A video in YouTube or here would be highly appreciated and very helpful!

    Reply
  15. Gary says

    August 24, 2022 at 1:09 am

    What if front of alcove is narrower than the back of alcove? You can’t slide shelf into position.

    Reply
    • Susan Greig says

      February 2, 2023 at 9:23 am

      I’d suggest build-in-place rather than pre-building the shelf. The supports go in as directed, then custom cut top and bottom; add the inner structural supports to bottom and brad nail to the supports; add top with glue and probably brad nails; add front piece and you are good to go.

      Reply
  16. Sandi says

    September 2, 2022 at 11:55 pm

    Do you know what the maximum weight each shelf will hold. I would like to use this type of shelf for lots of books.

    Reply
    • Susan Greig says

      February 2, 2023 at 9:26 am

      If you use 3/4″ plywood as suggested, it’s going to be very sturdy. If you are concerned, check out using a french cleat.

      Reply
  17. Susan Greig says

    February 2, 2023 at 9:21 am

    Easy to follow and well done!

    Reply
  18. Susan Greig says

    February 2, 2023 at 9:25 am

    I’d suggest build-in-place rather than pre-building the shelf. The supports go in as directed, then custom cut top and bottom; add the inner structural supports to bottom and brad nail to the supports; add top with glue and probably brad nails; add front piece and you are good to go.

    Reply
  19. Ashley Sullivan says

    March 10, 2023 at 11:10 am

    These are beautiful! Love it!

    Reply
  20. Mjndy says

    March 13, 2023 at 7:22 pm

    Hello,

    I just came across this article via pinterest. I’d like to try it though I have a question. What are the small boards you use on the wall as well as the spacers? Do you need to have anchors on your screws? Ty.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. How to Build Thick Floating Shelves from Plywood | Dadne says:
    March 18, 2020 at 11:25 pm

    […] Original Source […]

    Reply

Ashley - Wildfire Interiors
Welcome to Wildfire Interiors! I’m Ashley, and I think you should love where you live. Small budget or big budget, color-obsessed or neutral lover, trend follower or trendsetter, and whether you know anything about design or not…we can all have homes that make us smile. Read more…

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