Ever since I bought my first house a few years ago, I’ve been on a mission to customize it as much as I can. From built-in barstools in the kitchen to handmade wainscoting in the dining room to custom window valances, if it can be altered, I’m all over it. One thing I’ve been meaning to do for a long time is add floating shelves throughout my home—they’re easy to make and look elegant without taking up too much space or feeling too heavy or bulky. In particular, adding them in corners is an excellent way to maximize your space and get some extra storage without sacrificing style. This post will show you how to build your own custom corner floating shelves
Start by figuring out the length of your shelf. Measure the corner where you want to put your new floating shelves, and add an inch to allow for your ends.
First, you need to measure the corner where you want to put your new floating shelves. Measure the length of that one side from the wall all the way across until it meets another wall. Then add an inch for your end piece so that it covers both walls and doesn’t dip down too far (this is why we don’t want those corners!). This measurement is going to be how long your shelf needs to be in total—so double-check that with a tape measure before cutting any lumber
Now, repeat this process for each side of your shelf frame: measuring from top edge of one face plate down vertically until it touches another face plate on another side; then adding an extra inch for overlap at each end so everything fits together tightly without gaps between boards (you can see what I mean by using our diagram above).
You’ll also need two more measurements before moving onto assembly…
Take this measurement to the lumber store and have them cut your wood to fit.
Now that you have your measurements, take them to the lumber store alongside a few sheets of plywood. The staff at the lumber store will cut your wood to fit those exact measurements and then you can bring the pieces home with you. If you’re making several shelves, make sure that each piece is large enough to hold all of your books
Decide how long you want your shelves to be – we suggest making one large shelf across the top and two shorter shelves on the bottom.
Measure the space you have for your floating shelves, and decide how long you want your shelves to be. We suggest making one large shelf across the top of the corner and two shorter shelves on the bottom.
For example, if you have an 8 ft by 8 ft room with a 30-inch wall along one side, you could make an 8-foot long single shelf or 2 three foot long halves that are 4 feet apart in each direction. The choice is yours
Lay out your shelf pieces on a flat space and use a screw driver or drill to insert wood screws into every joint in order to connect them. Be sure that all sides match up evenly and square.
- Lay out your shelf pieces on a flat space and use a screw driver or drill to insert wood screws into every joint in order to connect them. Be sure that all sides match up evenly and square.
- Use the right size drill bit for the screws you are using, as this will make it easier for you to get them all into place without damaging either piece of wood or stripping the heads of your screws.
- Make sure that the shelf is positioned correctly before drilling the holes; if it’s not level then when you try to install it onto something like an IKEA Kallax shelving unit (which requires four feet), they might not align properly with each other and won’t look straight when installed together! This can cause damage by putting too much pressure onto one side which could result in pulling away some paint/varnish coating on one side while attaching them together at certain points along their length; this could cause water damage over time due to expansion/contraction cycles caused when temperature changes occur within rooms where heating systems operate 24 hours per day 365 days per year.”
Your measurements should have taken into account any wall trim, but if they didn’t, you’ll need to adjust now so that they do (this will make hanging easier).
Once you’ve decided where to place your shelves, it’s time to get down to business. Your measurements should have taken into account any wall trim, but if they didn’t, you’ll need to adjust now so that they do (this will make hanging easier). To do this:
- Use a tape measure or level to check the distance between the floor and your desired shelf height at each corner of the room.
- Record these measurements in inches or feet using a calculator or spreadsheet program on your computer (or just write them down on paper).
- Compare these measurements with any existing trim along the walls in question; if there is no existing trim, use whatever your ceiling height is instead. The difference between these two figures is how much space needs clearing from above for hanging purposes. This can be done by removing baseboards or crown molding, cutting away some lath behind plasterboard ceilings (if present), or even simply moving furniture around
If you like, you can choose now to paint or stain your shelves. Using a small brush is best, as it limits how much gets on the wall. Let dry completely before moving on.
Once you have applied the polyurethane to the shelves and let them dry, you can choose now to paint or stain your shelves. Using a small brush is best, as it limits how much gets on the wall. If you’re using a stain, allow it to dry completely before moving on; if you’re using paint that doesn’t need two coats in this step of the process (and most do not), then apply your second coat immediately after applying the first one.
Carefully place each shelf against the wall in its desired location, and draw a line on the wall directly under it using a pencil. This is where you’ll need to drill holes into your wall in order to hang them.
Carefully place each shelf against the wall in its desired location, and draw a line on the wall directly under it using a pencil. This is where you’ll need to drill holes into your wall in order to hang them.
Next, use a level surface to make sure that each of your shelves are completely level before doing any drilling. If they aren’t level then the whole project will end up looking uneven and sloppy. You can use something as simple as an old piece of wood or even just a piece of cardboard for this purpose if you don’t have access to something more accurate like an actual spirit level tool (which I would recommend buying).
Conclusion
You can decorate your shelves as you like, but remember not to overcrowd them. The simple aesthetic floating shelves provide is what makes them so special in the first place. Enjoy
