Whether you’re just getting started with DIY and looking for an easy project, or you need to add some more function and storage to your home, DIY shelves are a great weekend project.
The great thing about DIY is that you can customize your projects to fit your space exactly–both in terms of size and style. But is it cost-effective?
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Is it cheaper to build your own shelves?
Yes. 9 times out of 10, it’ll be cheaper to build your own shelves than to buy them. For example, you can get this shelf at World Market for $80 for just the shelf–it doesn’t come with the hardware to actually hang the shelf.
Or you can buy a 2x10x8 board from Lowe’s for $16 and make not one, but 2 shelves. Even if you add in $20 for stain and sealer, you can make 2 shelves for about half the cost of a pre-made single shelf.
Maybe you want the look of marble shelves instead of wood. Well, you could buy a 2′ shelf for $40, or you could buy a piece of 8′ lumber for $10 and a roll of contact paper for another $10 and build 4 shelves for $20.
How do I make my own shelves?
Throughout this post, we’ll have links to specific tutorials for 40+ different shelf ideas, but you can build a simple wood shelf in just a few hours.
What you’ll do is buy lumber and cut it down to the length that you want your shelves to be. Sand it down with 120, 180, and 220 grit sandpaper, and then stain and seal it to get your desired look.
Once it’s dry, you have your shelves made! Simple as that. To hang them up, you can use some brackets that screw into your wall and into your shelf.
How thick should wood be for shelves?
When selecting wood for shelves, you’ll want to get wood that is at least 3/4″ thick (aka 1x lumber). If you prefer a thicker-looking shelf, you can opt for 1.5″ lumber (aka 2x boards).
If you want a chunkier-looking shelf than a 2x board provides, you can also build a shelf from 2x4s and then frame it out using 1/2″ plywood.
How much weight the shelves will support will depend on things like how long the shelf is and what brackets are used to hang the shelves, but if you build with 1x or 2x boards, you should have a functional shelf.
If you’re curious how far a shelf can span without support, check out this sag calculator. Just enter a few details about your shelves and it’ll let you know how much it might sag. If it sags more than 1/32″ of an inch, you might want to add another support and run the calculator again.
Alright, now that we’ve talked a little bit about DIY shelves, let’s dive into all of the shelf ideas and tutorials!
There are so many different types of DIY shelves that you can add to your home: from wall shelves to built-ins in closets and specific things like plant shelves. We'll start with basic wall shelves and then dive into the other types.
DIY Wall Shelves
These wall shelves are simple to build and great for displaying decor in any room of your house. Find your favorite style and then click over to the full tutorial to start building.
Modern Wall Shelves
These modern wall shelves are made from primed 1x2s and oak boards. The 1x2s were painted black to give it a metal look and feel.
DIY Wagon Shelf
Think outside the box! You can build shelves out of things other than just wood. Check out this awesome upcycled wagon-turned shelving!
Torched Pine Shelves
These DIY shelves have a unique look because of the finish. They are standard 2x10s cut down to be 30" long. They were torched to bring out the wood grain and then sealed with Spar Urethane. They were hung up with brackets from Amazon. Finally, we added a DIY wine glass rack to the bottom shelf.
DIY Floating Ladder Shelf
This floating ladder shelf is as functional as it is pretty. Not only is there plenty of shelf space, but the bottom rung of the ladder is perfect for hanging towels (or maybe a blanket if you had this in a living room instead).
Hexagon Plant Shelves - 2 Ways!
What's better than one design? Two designs! Check out these hexagon plant shelves and make some of your own today!
DIY Floating Shelves
Floating shelves have continued to gain popularity due to their clean lines. There is no visible hardware, so how exactly do they hang up? Check out Anika's tutorial to find out.
Industrial Pipe Shelves
If you love industrial design, you don't want to miss these shelves. Instead of traditional metal brackets, they are hung using industrial pipes for a unique look.
Make a DIY Mountain Shelf Key Holder
A small shelf, wall decor, and a functional key holder. This DIY shelf key holder is a great DIY for any mountain lover.
DIY Bathroom Storage Shelves
Need a little more storage in your bathroom? Make this DIY bathroom shelf!
DIY Hanging Shelves
Check out these unique hanging shelves! Each shelf is secured to the rope which is used to hang them up. What a unique take on shelf hardware!
The Easiest DIY Shelves for $10
When I say the easiest, I mean the easiest. These DIY shelves take less than an hour to make (aside from stain dry time).
Fixer Upper Style Farmhouse Shelves
Big fan of Chip and Joanna? These easy DIY shelves will give you that Fixer Upper style that you love!
Easy Shutter Shelf DIY
Upcycling at its finest! Learn how to turn old shutters into beautiful shelves.
DIY Hexagon Shelves
These shelves started as a mission to find a way to store a roll of toilet paper in our powder room. Make 1 or 50 hexagons to create a unique design. The only tool you need to build them is a miter saw!
DIY Repurposed Barn Wood Shelves
You don't have to use lumber from a big box store or lumber yard. How about some repurposed barn wood?
Turn an Old Picture Frame into a Shelf
Have an old picture frame laying around without a photo? Turn it into a decorative shelf!
Cheap and Easy DIY Shelf Brackets
We've been talking a lot of DIY shelves, but how about you DIY the brackets too? Check out this awesome plan from Lovely Etc!
DIY Plant Shelves Using Wood Slices
Wood slices are a cool way to add a natural element to your home. Turn them into a fun plant shelf!
How To Build A Simple Wall Shelf
Shelves don't have to just be a flat piece of wood. You can build them into different shapes! This gives you functional storage that doubles as a work of art.
DIY Wood Cap Shelves!
Want to add a little extra detail to your shelves? Try these wood cap shelves!
DIY Floating Shelves for Living Room
Here's another take on floating shelves for you. They are modern and would look great in pretty much any space. Hanging a few vertically is a great way to add height to a room.
Modern DIY Wall Shelf
If modern is your favorite design style, you're not going to want to miss this design from Handcrafted Haven. These shelves are made from oak wood.
DIY Built-In Shelves
From living room built-ins to DIY closet shelving, we've got you covered. Built-ins are a great way to customize a space and add value to your home!
Linen Closet Upgrade
Linen closet in need of an upgrade? Replace those wire shelves with beautiful plywood oak shelving! This is a simple way to elevate the look of any linen closet!
Custom Built In Shelves in Wall
Completely out of room in your house? What if you built shelving INTO the wall? It doesn't require removing a wall or space for the shelves to stick out into your room. Remove some drywall and make yourself some unique storage!
DIY Built In Bookshelves
Adding built-in bookcases to your living room or office is a great way to get a custom look for less. It'll also add so much more storage...and who doesn't need more of that?
DIY Recessed Shelving
Have a spot in your house that you don't know what to do with? Maybe these recessed shelves could be your answer!
DIY Closet Storage Shelves
Whether you have a storage closet or a walk-in pantry that needs some updating, these DIY storage shelves are a great solution! They hold a lot of weight and have a nice, clean style.
DIY Built-Ins Using Big Box Store Cabinets
Who knew big box cabinets could look so good? Turn them into the custom-built-ins of your dreams with plenty of storage and shelving above them!
Cheap and Easy DIY closet shelves
If you're a big fan of storage baskets, you'll definitely want to check out this tutorial.
Other Shelves
We've covered wall shelves and built-ins, but there are still so many other types of shelves. Let's take a look at some other unique shelf designs.
DIY Pegboard
What's better than shelves? Moveable, customizable shelves! Create a pegboard to give yourself endless design options. Great for gyms, office, or playrooms!
Wire Shelving Hack
You won't believe what these shelves looked like before. Turn ugly wire shelving into cool, industrial-style shelves.
DIY Shelf Over Washer Dryer
Need some extra laundry room storage? And want to hide all the ugly cords that are behind your washer/dryer? Check and check. This easy-to-make plywood shelf has got you covered.
Build a Modern Bookshelf
We can't talk about shelves without talking about a bookshelf! This modern design is fun, stylish twist to a traditional bookcase. The two tone color also adds a little extra design detail.
Wooden Shelf Display
Who said shelves had to be on walls? Build a wooden shelf display to add some levels and height to your home decor.
DIY Over the Door Shelf
Sometimes wall space is limited and we need to get creative for adding additional shelving and storage. This over-the-door shelf might be the answer to your problems!
DIY Wooden Coat Rack with Shelf
A coat rack is great, but a coat rack with additional shelving is even better! Check out this tutorial by Girl Just DIY.
DIY Paint Storage Shelves
Are you a crafter or DIY? I'd hope so if you're checking out DIY shelf ideas! These DIY paint storage shelves be a great project to add to your list. There's nothing better than organized project supplies!
Floating Shelf Behind Couch
Is it a shelf or a table? It might look like a sofa console table, but it's actually just a shelf! It's a great way to add a little more storage (and another place to put a drink) behind your couch.
Phone Booth Upcycle
I bet you haven't seen a plant shelf quite like this before! Check out Birdz of a Feather's upcycled phone booth.
Wine Shelf Plans
Shelves just to display wine? That's my kind of shelf! This DIY wine rack is simple to make and displays 8 bottles of wine.
There you have it! 40+ DIY shelf tutorials that you can tackle this weekend. Well, you can tackle one or two of them. I don’t think you could do them all in a single weekend 😉
