DIY Floating Corner Shelves

Shelving is a great way to organize and de-clutter a space. I want to show you how to make some clean shelving that appears to have no brackets (i.e., floating shelves).

I am also going to show you how to make corner shelves, as it’s a little different from straight across (no corner) shelving.

You can make them for less than 100 bucks, and the hardest part is figuring out what you’re going to put on them when you’re finished.

Related: Check out our home decor archive for more ideas.

Supplies:
This is list is for the three corner shelves built for a specific space. You can modify as needed for your own space.

-six 2 x 4s
-two 1 x 8 x 12 kiln-dried cedar (be sure to check for warping when choosing your lumber)
-one 1/4″ x 4′ x 8′ plywood
-1 1/4″ wood screws  (I used these)
-heavy duty fasteners (I used these)
–spackle
-paint
–caulk
–wood glue

Tools:
–miter saw
–table saw
–drill
–Kreg pocket hole jig
–sandpaper
–sander
–level
–step ladder (ones like this are good since they don’t take up a lot of space and have the shelf on top)
–stud finder

Step One: Cut all your wood. I find it more productive if I figure out all (or at least most) wood material I need and cut it all at once.

Here’s my cut list for three shelves:

-fifteen 6 1/2″ x 3 1/2″*
-three 26 1/2″ x 1 1/2″**
-three 46″ x 1 1/2″**
-three 28″ x 8 5/8″***
-three 20″ x 1 1/2″***
-three 37 3/8″ x 8 5/8″***
-three 37 3/8″ x 1/5″***

*2 x 4     **ripped 2 x 4     ***ripped 1 x 8

Cut list for skinning the bottom and ends (1/4″ plywood):

-8 5/8″ x 46″
-8 5/8″ x 26 1/2″
-six 2 1/8″ x 8 5/8″

Step Two: Next, sand the pieces that will be visible.

Step Three: Assemble figure A (see diagram). I found it easier to clamp down the 1 1/2″ piece before screwing in the 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 pieces. I put in two screws per piece.

Step Four: Assemble the pieces for figure B (see diagram).

Step Five: Once you have the spacing all set up, studs found, and material at hand, you can start putting up the shelves .A good way to visualize spacing is to use painter’s tape

I started at the bottom and worked my way up. Install all of the A pieces first. The HeadLOK fasteners did a great job of making everything super sturdy; just make sure you’re hitting studs!

After you have the A pieces up, you can put on the B pieces. You can screw or nail those on.

Step Six: Screw or nail on the underside and end pieces.

Step Seven: Putty any nail or screw holes. One thing I wish I would have done is caulk around the shelves so that there were no spaces showing.

I think they still look good, but that detail would have made them a little bit better. Sand once everything is dry. I attached my vacuum hose to the sander to minimize dust.

Step Eight: Tape the wall if you are going to paint another color.

Once you paint, you’re done! Time to put your stuff on display (after the paint dries, of course). Enjoy your floating corner shelves!

Add a few cool frames with prints, plants, books with unique bookends and your shelves are ready to go!

We have lots of wood DIY projects in our archives (like building custom shelves and dollhouses) so make sure to see if any of those strike your fancy as well! Happy building!

P.S. If you aren’t the power tool type of person, you can also buy some floating shelves and get the same look (this three piece set is nice).

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Get the How-To

How to build your own floating corner shelves.

Supplies

1x2x3x

• ▢ six 2'x4'
• ▢ two 1 x 8 x 12 kiln-dried cedar 
• ▢ one ¼″ x 4′ x 8′ plywood
• ▢ 1 ¼″ wood screws
• ▢ heavy duty fasteners
• ▢ spackle
• ▢ paint
• ▢ caulk
• ▢ wood glue
• ▢ miter & table saw
• ▢ drill
• ▢ pocket hole jig
• ▢ sander & paper
• ▢ level
• ▢ stud finder (optional, but useful)

Instructions

• Cut all your wood. I find it more productive if I figure out all (or at least most) wood material I need and cut it all at once.
• Next, sand the pieces that will be visible.
• Assemble figure A (see diagram). I found it easier to clamp down the 1 1/2″ piece before screwing in the 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 pieces. I put in two screws per piece.
• Assemble the pieces. I have included diagrams in the post you can also print to use for this project.
• Once you have the spacing all set up, studs found, and material at hand, you can start putting up the shelves .A good way to visualize spacing is to use painter’s tape.

  I started at the bottom and worked my way up. Install all of the A pieces first. The HeadLOK fasteners did a great job of making everything super sturdy; just make sure you’re hitting studs!
• After you have the A pieces up, you can put on the B pieces. You can screw or nail those on.
• Screw or nail on the underside and end pieces.
• Putty any nail or screw holes. One thing I wish I would have done is caulk around the shelves so that there were no spaces showing.
• Sand once everything is dry. I attached my vacuum hose to the sander to minimize dust.
• Tape the wall if you are going to paint another color.

  Once you paint, you’re done! 

© Author Josh Rhodes

Keywords DIY