I love the look of floating shelves. They are simple, elegant, and make any room feel sleek. If you have a small apartment or home, they can also help add storage space without making a room feel too cluttered. So I was very excited when my cousin asked me to help him renovate his kitchen by building floating shelves with crown molding. But I had never done it before. After watching some videos on YouTube and then doing some research online, we were able to complete the project in an afternoon. We documented each step so that you can do it too.
Step 1
The first step in building floating shelves with crown moulding is to pick a location for your shelves. Consider the height of the room and how much space you have available. You’ll also need to make sure that you have enough room on top of where you want your floating shelf to go, so think about how high up it needs to be. Lastly, consider the weight of what will be going on those shelves before deciding on this design
You’ll also need to weigh out whether or not crown moulding is right for your project. The weight limit per shelf should be around 30 pounds (14 kg), which means that if there are other decorations in addition to books or plants then they may not work well with this kind of construction method.
Step 2
Cut the crown moulding to size. Measure the distance between the wall and where you want your shelf to hang, then use a tape measure to determine how long each piece of crown molding should be. Place one end against the edge of your shelf and mark how far down on its face it extends. Then, move down 1 inch from that line and make another mark at the same height as before. Repeat with all four sides until you have four marks per side (eight total). Now cut along those lines with a jigsaw or coping saw.
Attach the crown moulding to your floating shelves using finish nails or wood glue and finishing screws (if desired). Make sure not over-tighten them or they may split or crack; driving in just enough so they’re flush with each other is sufficient enough for strength without being too much pressure on any one particular spot within these types of materials—they need room for movement so they won’t warp over time
Step 3
Next, you’re going to cut your crown moulding. The cuts are made at 45 degree angles on both sides and it’s important that you measure correctly so that the finished product will look good when mounted on the wall.
First, lay out your pieces of crown moulding and measure them against each other so that they’re all exactly the same length (this is where having a helper can come in handy). Once you’ve determined this measurement, use it as a guide for cutting down new pieces from larger stock using a miter saw or circular saw with an accurate cross-cutting blade installed. For example: If two pieces need to be cut down from an 8′ long piece of trim, then simply mark off four equal-sized segments at 2″ intervals along its length—then measure 2″ between those marks with a tape measure before making each cut. Repeat until all necessary pieces are cut into place; just make sure they remain symmetrical
Step 4
In this step you will cut the molding to length, width and height.
- Cut the crown moulding to length (length of your shelf)
- Cut the crown moulding to width (width of your shelf)
- Cut the crown moulding to height (height of your shelf)
- Measure and mark where you want to mount each mounting block on the wall. Measuring should be done twice just in case you misread or make a mistake once you begin cutting out holes for them later on. Use a level as well if available so that all four mounting blocks are level with each other when installed correctly against an upright surface such as studs in walls. After measuring and marking where these holes will go, use a utility knife or reciprocating saw equipped with different blade sizes depending on what kind of material needs cutting through in order for holes being made large enough
Step 5
- Cut the crown moulding to the desired length using a jigsaw or miter saw. You can also use a table saw, but you’ll need to do some careful measuring and planning ahead of time.
Cutting crown molding at a 45-degree angle will result in two pieces (not counting the ones you cut off) that are exactly equal in size and shape, which is perfect for this project
Using the drill bit that came with your Kreg pocket hole kit (or another 5/16″ bit), screw one piece onto another so they’re fastened together at right angles. Repeat this step until all four sides have been assembled into one long piece of shelving.
Step 6
After you’ve determined the height of your shelf and cut it to size, you’ll need to install your crown molding. There are several different ways you can do this depending on how ambitious you’d like to be in terms of design and complexity.
If you have access to an electric saw or jigsaw, you can opt for a more elaborate installation method that involves cutting intricate shapes into the crown molding pieces before installing them. If not, there are still plenty of options available for those who don’t have power tools at their disposal.
Step 7
Step 7: Attach the crown molding to the wall, shelves, and brackets. Do this by driving nails through the bottom of each piece of crown molding into their respective pieces. Drive one nail at each end of your shelf, then place a bracket over these nails so that it lies flat against them on either side. Secure it in place with screws or an adhesive like Liquid Nails. Repeat this process for each bracket until they are all attached to your wall and shelves in such a way that there is no gap between any two pieces.
Step 8
Now that you’ve cut your crown molding pieces, it’s time to put things together. The process is pretty simple: attach the crown molding to the shelf and then attach it to both ends of the wall (or vice versa). If you’re using a longer piece of crown molding, you’ll need to attach it at four different points—two on each end of the wall (or again, vice versa).
With a few simple steps and inexpensive material, you can create floating shelves with crown molding.
Floating shelves with crown molding make a beautiful addition to any room. They can be used as art display racks, hidden storage areas, or even as a bar area. The best part? They are easy to build and install
What is crown molding?
Crown molding is the decorative trim that sits above your wall corners. It’s made up of several pieces that fit together in an upside-down “crown” shape (hence its name). The purpose of this trim is to cover the gap between walls and ceilings; this helps add aesthetic appeal while also adding structural support for ceilings above them.
Conclusion
With a few simple steps, inexpensive material, and a little bit of elbow grease, you can create beautiful floating shelves with crown molding for your own home. We hope you enjoyed this guide on how to build them. If you have any questions or comments about the process, please feel free to reach out to us in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you
