Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Make your own floating shelf... one of my favorite things

Before we leave this house I wanted to share one of my favorite things.
We redecorated the boys room soon after we moved in.
(check out the "before")
I got this idea from a family in Utah who remodeled their home and added crown molding and 1x4 plywood to the top of each of their door frames. I loved how it made a little shelf at the top of each door where they could display little items.
I decided I wanted to use the same idea but make it a floating shelf and use a 1x6 so I could display larger accessories.
This is how we did it:
All you need is
-1x6 plywood
-2x2 plywood
-crown molding (we used 4in but you could do 4-6inch)
Measure how high you want the shelf and mark it. We put the shelf at 74 inches from the floor. I think it is perfect height. It is high enough that the kids can't reach it, you won't hit your head on it, and you can't see the dust... perfect!
I just used painters tape to mark the height on the 2 walls we were putting the shelves on.
If you are using the 4 inch crown molding you will need to shave off one corner of the 2x2 so the molding will touch the wall and the 1x6 as seen in the picture above
(if you use a larger molding you may be able to skip that step).
Hold the 3 pieces against the wall and make sure they fit before you screw anything in. We had to keep shaving more off the 2x2 before it would fit just right.
Now, find the studs and screw the 2x2 plywood into the studs so you know the shelf will hold.
(Sorry, no pictures. I did this before nannygoat.)
.
We trimmed off the corners of the 1x6 where it came to the window so it wasn't this big corner sticking out.
Now, attach the 1x6 by screwing it down from the top into the 2x2.
Finally, attach the crown molding with finishing nails into the wall at the base and the 2x2 piece at the top.
Caulk the corners and edges and you're done!
Beautiful isn't it!

What a difference this little shelf makes.
I love how I can have the cutesy stuff in the room but the kids can't get at it and it doesn't take up any needed space (you can only put so many things on top of a dresser my friends).

I especially love that it draws the eyes up (away from the mess on the floor) and you can't see the dust! Does it get better than that?!
WARNING: This shelf is made for lightweight items. I don't think it would hold anything too heavy. In other words don't blame me if you try to display your bowling balls on it and it comes toppling down... it is not my fault. ;)lol

You will be seeing this again in my next house (btw we are going next month to pick one out... don't you love house hunting!!) but I think I'm going to add a little something to change it up a little. I'm getting my inspiration from my friend Traci this time. Can't wait to do it and show you... you (and me) will have to be patient though... we don't even have a new house yet sillies. ;0


PS I got my Downeast shorts and I LUUUUVVV them. Seriously, I'm going to need a few more to make it through the summer (especially since my fav capris don't fit anymore. I blame it on the baby...er 15-month-old)
PPS or is it PSS I won ANOTHER giveaway here. WAHOO! I haven't gotten it yet but I am excited.


19 comments:

Jenny said...

Beautiful! I wanted to add a shelf in my daughter's room, but didn't really know how.

Unknown said...

Thank-you for the tutorial! I can see these being in every room of our home!

Melissa {polkadot chair} said...

I have always loved that shelf!! we did one similar in Kari's room when she was a toddler... She called it the "high shelf"... when she would get fancy dolls (the not to play with kind) she would call them her "high shelf toys"... After we moved she kept asking for her "high shelf" back... we never did build another one... but I keep meaning to!
Congrats on selling your house!! So sad to see you guys go, but I'm glad to hear that hopefully everything will go smoothly for you!!
Melissa

Amy said...

Thanks so much! The original post of this room was what hooked me on this blog. I love it! Keep up the good work.

Lanier Household Creations said...

I just recently discovered your blog! I love it! Thanks for sharing the how to on these cute shelves! My hubby is in Medical School right now...it's comforting to see people buy houses in residency...it gives me hope to one day own one! Haha! All of the rooms in your house are so cute!!! I absolutely love the boys room and the playroom!!!

laniercreations.blogspot.com

Delia said...

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. I can't wait to own a house so we can do something like this. So simple, but great impact.

Melissa said...

Shut-up!! Another giveaway??? Tell me your secrets (probably enter now and again:)) Can't wait to come babysit and craft while you are house hunting!!

Frugal Home Designs said...

What a great idea. I love it.

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

I am in LOVE with this idea. I featured it here on myh blog http://oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/03/wednesdays-wowzers-what-im-lovin.html.

Thanks so much for sharing!!

Alison

Jaimee Blood said...

How did you "shave" the corner off of the 2 x 2 plywood? Do you need a special saw? I am doing this in one of our rooms soon!

michelle@somedaycrafts said...

This is awesome. I might do this to my daughter's room. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Foggy Morning Jewelry Designs said...

I am definitely going to do this!! Thanks for the tutorial!!

Foggy Morning Jewelry Designs
www.etsy.com/shop/mdirwin

Anonymous said...

This is so pretty and

I LOVE these kind of shelves, super practicle and ideal when having small children as well.

Ikea has some nice wall type shelves as well, that we've bought in the past.

Thanks for sharing

Alison@howdoesshe said...

LOVE THIS!!!

shelf bookcase said...

LOVE it!! & just what I need for my playroom. Is the shopping list what you need for ONE shelf?

sanjeet said...

Thank-you for the tutorial!
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Viagra Online said...

Thanks for this perfect idea because I had always paid for those shelfs now I got good tips in order to make my own shelfs in an easy way.

Floating Shelf said...

I loved how it made a little shelf at the top of each door where they could ... ffloatingshelf.blogspot.com

Suchitra said...

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