Free accountWall Shelf Plans
These wall shelf plans start with the floating shelf: a hollow box that slides over a cleat screwed to the wall, so no bracket shows. Choose the length, depth and thickness and the hidden cleat is sized to fit inside.
Wall Shelf Plans
Free accountWhat a wall shelf holds depends on the wall: screw the cleat into studs or solid masonry, never only into plasterboard plugs.
For one wall or a whole room, each shelf plan gives the cut list for your size.
Guides
French CleatTwo strips bevelled at 45° that lock a cabinet, shelf or headboard to the wall: what a French cleat is, how to make one from plywood and how to space a tool wall.How to Build Floating ShelvesHow to build floating shelves that hold weight: a hollow box over a hidden cleat, step by step, plus how to install floating shelves into studs, masonry or drywall.How to Build a ShelfHow to build a shelf on a wall, in the garage or in a corner: cleats and brackets into studs, garage shelving, corner shelves and safe spans.How to Finish Plywood EdgesHow to finish plywood edges: iron-on edge banding, solid wood edging, filler for paint, rounding over the layers, and sealing edges for outdoor use.MDF vs PlywoodMDF vs plywood for cabinets, shelves and doors: strength, sag, screw holding, paint finish, moisture, weight and cost compared, with the right use for each.Standard Bookshelf DimensionsStandard bookshelf depth is 10–12 in (25–30 cm). See standard heights and widths, the shelf spacing for each book size and the longest span before a shelf sags.
Frequently asked questions
How deep should a floating shelf be?
150–250 mm. Deeper shelves put much more leverage on the wall fixings.