A bit of online investigation combined with a methodical, persevering attitude and some basic materials and equipment is all that is needed to design stylish shelves for one’s beloved dwelling.
Shelves play a major role in the look of a room – without them, the home might seem a bit plain and too messy. The great thing about shelves is that you have various options: you can go to a home furniture store or website to get them pre-made; you can hire a carpenter to make a custom one; or, if you’re the DIY type, you can easily build one yourself!
Through this blog, we are bringing to your attention the importance of shelves, the large selection of DIY floating shelves you can make, what considerations to keep in mind when determining the size of the shelf, and the steps to take to build the floating shelf.
Benefits of Shelves
From a more comprehensive viewpoint, shelves possess various functions and advantages.
- They provide you with space to showcase your personality through displaying items that mirror your hobbies, collectibles and interests
- Besides the above shelves can play out versatile functions. Say for instance a shelf installed at the apt height can double up as a space to place your home temple
- They can provide householders with ample space for concealed storage i.e. while the top shelves can display your collectibles the back-end of the shelves i.e. the hidden-from-view portion can be used to keep cartons
- Shelves can free up your floor space for furniture and movement as they enable you to organize stuff on them
- Adding floating shelves along with baskets and bars to wardrobes may allow you to use up unutilised areas like the huge section where you have only one coat hanging 365 days in a year nicely gobbling up space
- Shelves can help you bring some order to your home as they facilitate organizing your clutter; and if you have a flair for design then you can simply go ahead and give a free rein to your creativity and incorporate some design elements by grouping items together … albeit with a mix and match of different heights and shapes to create a contrasting impact
Functional shelves can both contribute to the aesthetic of the room and keep it organized. It is critical to understand what use the shelves will have and where they will be placed.
Types of Floating Shelves
Every residence has its unique layout and shelves must be coordinated with one another. Are you concerned about being able to locate the perfect shelf that will fit nicely in your home? Take it easy, there is a wide variety of choices on offer – shelves that are mounted on the wall, shelves that come in the shape of the letter A, and shelves held up by rope – the list goes on! You could even spice up the different rooms of your home by implementing different types of shelves. The best aspect is that every kind of shelf featured here can be constructed yourself! There’s no difficult physics, just a bit of design know-how, a good eye to accurately measure and an ability to imagine the outcome!
Take a look at some of the popular DIY Floating Shelves on offer.
A-Frame Shelves
These provide a modern alternative to those bulky china cupboards! They can hold a considerable quantity of items and you can construct them to fit your particular needs. Even better, you can move them from one room to another!
Belted Shelves
Shocked, eh? However, worn out belts can be used to make primitive and unusual shelves, which may evoke memories of sleeping compartments on a train for some individuals.
Copper Pipe Shelves
These DIY shelves require basic building abilities in addition to copper pipes from past projects!
Crate Shelves
Rather than discarding the crates that were used for packing purposes before moving into your new place… why not reuse them by attaching them to the wall? Anything from spices and shoes to books could be stored on the inside.
Driftwood Shelves
Fond of the sea…. Do you wish to give your dull room a natural feel? If you’re looking for something simple to construct, these driftwood shelves are ideal! Advice: Make sure the wood you choose is lightweight.
Floating Corner Shelves
This is an exemplary demonstration of making the most of every available area! Well, all rooms have corners don’t they? Install these white shelves with ease and then you will have an abundance of room to hide away things such as toiletries, trinkets or maybe even a bonsai plant!
Flower Shelves
These items necessary for individuals with a green thumb can be placed inside and on your balcony; and crafted from any sturdy material that can take the weight of your flower pots!
Hexagon Shelves
Does this remind you of mathematics? Putting jokes aside, these items are made out of popsicle sticks and we are confident they will start a conversation!
Industrial Pipe Shelves
This one is for the practical and robust sorts who gain a sort of satisfaction from making the most of materials; although these items may not look chic and stylish, their energies and toughness are unbeatable.
Pallet Shelves
Pallets can be used in a vast array of ways, from creating furniture and decor to becoming a part of any kind of craft project imaginable. Then why should the shelf segment be left behind? These decorations give a pleasant rural feel to the space and are perfect for showcasing lightweight pieces such as magazines, picture frames, and narrow books, among others.
Pegboard Shelves
These are perfect spots for displaying gifts that have sentimental value to you – for instance, flower vases, photo frames, souvenirs from your travels abroad, plants, and so on. Don’t forget to switch up their positions from time to time to keep visitors interested!
Quilting Hoop Shelf
Back to geometry! But, putting the humor aside, these round shelves constructed from embroidery frames are the ideal spot to exhibit your miniature objects.
Rope Shelves
These shelves are very attractive and give your home a traditional style. You can even use them to hang mirrors!
About DIY Floating Shelves
These homemade floating shelves are composed of solid wood components that come with a support frame. This assemblage can be quickly attached to a bare wall or a deep shelf, helping to make the most use of the space while also giving the room a modernizing effect in a single day. You don’t even need mounting plates!
This is an excellent endeavor for constructing bona fide hovering shelves (petite) that do not call for metal clasps. The source of the name for these shelves is that they appear to be suspended in the air without any support that can be seen.
Why Install DIY Floating Shelves?
They might appear difficult, but it only takes a couple of tools and won’t take long to construct one yourself.
Prior to exploring how to create your own floating shelf, let’s look at why this can be a terrific way to ad some extra storage to your space while allowing you to make better use of your wall space for daily tasks.
They Add Personality
Constructing a wooden shelf that hangs on the wall yourself can add a unique touch to your room while also making it look more inviting. Floating shelves have a much more fashionable look than boxier shelves, shelves with brackets, or antiquated cabinetry, which adds a touch of elegance.
They’re Especially Great in Small Spaces
When living in a tight area, floating shelves can help utilize the limited space effectively by making the setting visually appealing by having items on display above the ground. You can even employ several suspended shelves to make an arched library!
The open area around a floating shelf can give the impression of a taller, bigger room. Therefore, many homes with limited square footage have taken to utilizing their vertical area efficiently with the use of a wall-mounted shelving unit.
They Can Be Installed in Any Room
Making your own floating shelves is a great idea because they can be put in almost any space, not just the kitchen. Adding them to a living room or bathroom can be great to showcase books and knickknacks.
Room decoration in the bedroom can be improved by using artwork, synthetic blooms, or modern ornaments. Floating shelves in kitchens can be used to show off treasured cutlery, jars of staples, cherished bottles of wine, and even potted plants.
It is not essential to purchase shelves from stores such as Home Depot and IKEA; pre-made options are available. If the space you want to use is not a standard size, you might have to create it yourself as the best option.
If you don’t mind doing some DIY work, you have the power to design your shelf to the exact size and coloring you desire.
Finding the Right Type of Wood
Picking the correct type of wood is essential when crafting floating shelves yourself, particularly if you plan on using them correctly. You should pick a sturdy and solid wood for shelves that support heavy items, yet lighter woods are suitable for shelves that are solely for decoration.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options available. It’s worth comparing a couple of different possibilities before deciding which floating wood shelf is the right one for your DIY project because each one has its own distinct traits and features.
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Generally, wood is divided into two groups: hardwood and softwood. Softwood is great for purely decorative components, but unfortunately, it can bend and twist with age, so it is unsuitable for shelves.
On the contrary, hardwood is ideal for constructing shelves by oneself. I always advise people to go with hardwood if they’re looking for a material that is sturdy, attractive, and can be stained easily for this project!
Some of the most sought-after woods for shelves are Oak, Maple, Cherry, Mahogany, and Walnut. It is not uncommon to use plywood, however, it would be best to steer clear of it. Plywood has an unpleasant aesthetic, as well as a propensity to twist, split, and break apart over the years. Not good!
When selecting wood, you can make a decision between which type to utilize and if it should be brand new or previously used. Wood that has been collected from prior uses is called reclaimed wood. By employing this kind of timber, not only can you be environment friendly, but you can also create a distinct and captivating atmosphere for your venture!
I strongly suggest looking at the kinds of wood physically, not via the internet, before settling on a choice because there are plenty of alternatives available. This guarantees that you will obtain the precise look, atmosphere, and excellence that you desire!
The Look
In general, floating shelves just look better than cabinets. The items can be tucked away in a small space or put on display along a wide wall. Either way, they end up looking sleek and modern! Cupboards tend to stand out, but typically depend on their color rather than their styling to make a lasting impact.
Even though cabinets traditionally are seen as a more classic look, they could be suitable for your room. It all boils down to your present decorations, look, and arrangement!
The Location
It was previously stated that wall shelves that are free-standing can be put in different areas. Cabinets can seem inappropriate if the “wrong kind” is chosen.
I think freestanding cabinets are suitable in nearly all rooms, provided that they go with the rest of the room’s décor. However, I usually am not fond of the aesthetics of cabinets mounted on walls that are not in the kitchen. Cupboards that are typically found in kitchens are not a typical sight in the living room, and it can seem strange to see them there.
It is ultimately a matter of personal opinion, so if you think it will work then it might be worth a try.
The Limitations
When it comes to appearances, mounting shelves appear to have the edge; however, on a practical level, they cannot be compared. A floating shelf is usually held up from the rear, although it can sometimes be reinforced from the sides or underneath. However, this is not always necessary.
This design helps create the aesthetic that we desire, however it is not very conducive to supplying assistance. I would not suggest relying heavily on using shelves that are not mounted on the wall.
It is clear why it is not a good choice to put bulky, unsteady items on a hovering shelf due to the lack of sides on most of those shelves.
Conversely, though they may not be as attractive, cupboards are very good at providing a secure foundation for heavier items and preventing items from being knocked off (especially if the cabinet is enclosed). You should keep this in mind when evaluating what storage options are best for you.
Setting Realistic Expectations
When getting ready to do your upcoming homemade floating wooden shelf job, it is essential to be realistic about what you can achieve. Contemplate not only the cost of the undertaking and the time it will take to finish, but also reflect on your handiwork expertise!
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