Add easy storage to your space with this DIY Simple Open Shelving how-to. It’s perfect for toy storage, books, or even just decor.
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There’s a small niche in the sitting room of our Master Bedroom, and it’s always felt like it needed something. While I would’ve loved to do something more intricate, I decided to take some scrap wood and make some simple open shelving. It was a quick project that took maybe 2 hours, and very little budget (as we already had a lot of the wood).
I’m SO glad we did! I’m not even sure where all of these books were prior to these shelves. But the shelves are full and have been so useful.
Before
This was the niche before, and while I knew it had potential to be charming, it was just bland and nothing fit right in there.
Supplies
To make these shelves, you’ll need…
- Liquid Nails
- Saw (we used a Miter saw)
- Nail Gun (or a drill would work too)
- Hammer
- Screwdriver
- Level
- Stud Finder
- Pen or Pencil
- Foam roller
- Paint or Stain
- Ladder
How to DIY Simple Open Shelves
First, we measured and cut all of our supports. We cut 2 different size supports – 1 size for the back support and 1 size for the sides of each shelf.
When we pieced all of these together, it made a “U” shape for the support.
Paint and Prep
After we cut them to size, we lined up the supports and painted them with a foam roller. I wanted them to be painted ahead of time, because I knew in the long run it would save us time and be quicker getting the shelves up. Even though it is one more step before getting the shelves built, I think it’s worth it.
Once these were painted, we let them dry thoroughly. The wood we used for the shelves was already stained, so we left them as is. But if you are painting or staining your shelf wood, now would also be the time to do that.
Install the Supports
In order to install the supports, we decided to use “Liquid Nails” first on the back of each support piece and then a nail gun to secure it to the wall. We could’ve also used screws, but we just didn’t.
First, I measured where I wanted the shelf and marked it with a pen. Then I took the back/longer support piece, covered the back in Liquid Nails, and put it in place with the level on top. I made sure it was level before nailing it in. Repeat this process with the side supports as well.
Add the Shelf
Once your shelf supports are secured, you can add the shelf on top. We decided not to nail the shelf to the supports, simply because they were tightly wedged into the niche and we have no concerns about them shifting at all.
If you’d like to secure them to the supports, just add some liquid nails or nail them in with the nail gun.
Repeat the Process until Complete
Keep doing this until you finish the shelves.
Once your shelves are complete, you’ll want to fill nail holes.
If your supports are painted, you’ll want to use spackle or wood filler to fill the holes, then sand until smooth, and then touch up the paint.
If your supports are stained, you could probably more easily get away with leaving the nail holes. But you could also use wood filler, sand it until smooth, and then touch up the stain the same as the rest of the supports.
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