For every home, there is a moment when you find yourself in need of more shelf space. Whether that means an extra bookshelf for your reading room or wall hooks for your entryway, it’s always nice to add a little bit of storage where you can. But rather than throwing all of your money into store-bought pieces, why not make something from scratch? No matter how little DIY knowledge you have, these easy projects will turn your living spaces into the tidy haven that they deserve to be. Here’s how:
Cut your wood down to size.
Cutting your wood down to size is easy, but it’s not quick. You can use a miter saw, jigsaw, handsaw or table saw for this step. If you don’t have access to one of these tools in your garage or shed (or if you don’t know how to use them), consider visiting a hardware store and asking an employee for help with selecting the right tool for your project.
If this is your first time cutting wood with power tools and you are looking for something basic that won’t break the bank, then I recommend starting out with something like this inexpensive cordless version from Dewalt: https://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DCM280S2-20V-Cordless-Compact-Miter/dp/B00LXO7E6O/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&qid=1537776918&sr=8-1&keywords=dewalt+miter+saw&linkCode=ll2&tag=bustle919085ozlprr0l&linkId=be544c573d799a6eec4cb58fcf72a834
However, if money is no object and quality means everything then go ahead spend more on something better like this Bosch MS180B: https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-MS180BK-10AmpCompact-MiterSawKit/dp/B01NMWIUXU
Sand the wood to get a smooth finish.
- Using a sanding block, begin to sand your shelf from the bottom of the wood in a circular motion.
- Use progressively finer grits of sandpaper to get a smooth finish: 120 grit for rough surfaces, 180 grit for coarse surfaces and 220 grit for finishing work. For example, if you’re using a woodworking belt sander, start with 50-grit paper on it; then change to 100-grit paper when you start making marks on the wood surface. Change it again to 150-grit paper when you start making shallow scratches in the surface; finally change over again to 220-grit paper when there are no more visible scratches left at all (this is known as “feathering”).
Stains are optional — you can paint or not paint your wood.
Stains are optional — you can paint or not paint your wood. Stains are more durable than paints, though, so if you have a lot of coats of stain on the shelf and it gets damaged, it will still look nice while it’s being repaired. The same goes for other elements that can damage your project: stains are resistant to water, dirt, fading (from sun), etc., so they’ll look good even after some wear and tear.
If you’re really concerned about the aesthetic longevity over time and want something with long-lasting durability, then go with a natural hardwood like oak or maple instead of pine. These woods are less porous than pine and therefore less susceptible to damage from water exposure or moisture buildup inside them (due to humidity changes). They also tend not to warp as much as pine does when exposed to a lot of heat/sunlight; this makes them easier for finishing work because there’s less risk involved with trying out different techniques
Add hooks to the desired height on your wood before you install it somewhere.
Hanging the shelf is pretty straightforward. There are several options for where to place your hooks, but we recommend that you add them before you install the shelf.
- Hooks can be added to the top and bottom of a piece of wood.
- Hooks can also be added to each side of a piece of wood (this will create a horizontal strip of metal).
- You could also use hooks on all four sides, creating an X if viewed from above or below your shelf. This means that there would be four vertical strips of metal with holes drilled into them in which you could place your hooks so they’re visible from any angle when looking at your shelf
Building a shelf is a fun DIY project and finishing it with hooks makes it even more useful
Building a shelf is a fun DIY project and finishing it with hooks makes it even more useful! You can make a shelf in any size or shape, using any type of wood you like. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even add hooks to the top or bottom of the shelf! My favorite thing about this project is that there are so many options for customization. For instance, if you want something that looks rustic but still matches your decor, consider painting or staining your shelf. Or maybe you want something with some character to match your latest style change? In that case, go for natural-looking finishes instead.
The great thing about building a shelf is that it takes minimal effort; just follow these steps:
Conclusion
I hope this article has given you some inspiration to experiment with carpentry yourself and try your hand at making a shelf. I chose to make mine out of wood so it’s more durable and stronger than plastic or metal shelves that may bend over time, but you can use any material that suits your needs. These types of shelves can hold towels in the bathroom, coats near an entranceway or even hang pots and pans! You’ll also notice how simple it is to use different sizes depending on where you want them installed — small ones for closets whereas larger ones are great for kitchens. The possibilities are endless so keep thinking about new ways you could use one around your home.
