Are you looking for DIY shelves you can build today? Here are some of our favorite DIY wall shelves for any room in your home. DIY shelving is the perfect opportunity to add extra storage while avoiding buying expensive premade ones.
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Building your own DIY wall shelves can save you money and can help you get a custom look to fit your style. As far as DIY home projects go, building your own shelves is not that much harder than putting up premade ones (not to mention how much you will save for way higher-quality materials).
These ideas below cater to various skill levels and allow you to transform your space in no time at all.
Types of DIY Shelves To Try
Floating Shelves: Create a modern, uncluttered look with floating shelves. These shelves appear to “float” on the wall, making them a good idea for people who want extra space with a modern or rustic look.
Pipe Shelves: For an industrial design, consider pipe and wood shelves. Depending on the shelf you are building this can be simple or more advanced. You can even buy premade fittings if you don’t want the hassle of finding all the pieces and using spray paint.
Customizable Pegboards With Shelves: Pegboard shelves are versatile and perfect for organizing spaces like craft rooms or garages. Easily adjustable and beginner-friendly, these shelves allow for quick storage rearrangements with little effort.
Bracket Shelves: These are one of the simplest ways to add extra storage with limited tools. You can even ask hardware stores to precut your lumber and use a paint or stain color of your choice before attaching it.
Read More: If you love shelf ideas make sure to check out 23+ amazing bathroom shelf ideas to add to your home.
Is it cheaper to build your own shelves?
It all depends on the materials you are using. Most of the time your DIY shelves will end up being cheaper if you build them right the first time and purchase your own materials. You can even see how you can add DIY shelves with stock cabinetry or premade furniture to create your DIY built-ins.
The best upside to building DIY shelves is that you will be able to customize the shelves for your space. In this list, you can even see 70″ kitchen floating shelves and super long wall shelves that you would never be able to purchase as is.
Our Favorite DIY Shelving Ideas
DIY Floating Shelf Ideas
You can make wooden floating shelves by using sturdy brackets or by making your own mounting brackets to put the cover on.
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www.thehandymansdaughter.com
DIY Live Edge Floating Shelves
This step-by-step tutorial is not only detailed but totally cool. We have always wanted to try to create a floating wall shelf with a live edge. A live edge is a tree that is cut into a slab and retains its natural edge. These sturdy brackets are a great way to help easily attach these homemade shelves. This is a must-see shelving option for your home!
You will love adding extra storage with this floating shelf idea. Get the same PB look with floating these rustic shelves for way cheaper! You can even see the PB product that inspired these and how much money you will save.
These awesome floating wood shelves were the perfect addition to this living room. They were really able to utilize the corner of the room to add a unique functional and decorative touch.
The white beadboard and white painted shelves go so well together in this cheap DIY shelving project. We love when DIY projects allow you to get exactly what you want (like 70" custom floating shelves) in your kitchen remodel.
How To Store More Spices with This Easy DIY Spice Rack!
You could use premade picture ledges or build your own version to create a unique DIY wall spice rack. This simple shelf idea could really help with saving space in your kitchen. We love the idea of matching and clean spice jar labels as part of your kitchen decor.
Some of our favorite brackets include pipe flanges to farmhouse brackets. The best part is that you can customize your brackets and wood boards to fit large or small spaces.
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Bathroom Set Of Pipe Shelves
We are such a huge fan of these flange pipe fittings around our house. This easy and simple wall shelf project added a little industrial look during this cheap bathroom makeover. Create your own look by using your favorite wood stain on the wooden boards.
DIY Industrial Pipe Shelving On a Reasonable Budget
These pipe shelves would complement any home decor and room from farmhouse to modern. Learn how to build this impressive industrial pipe shelving the easy way!
Have you ever wondered what to do with your cable box after you mount your television? Here is a great industrial shelving idea that was much needed in this living room. The DIY corner piece of wood was added topipe fittings in this afternoon DIY project.
Using similar farmhouse brackets, these shelves were added to a craft room closet. You can find out exactly how to attach the brackets to cinderblocks with this detailed tutorial.
Gold brackets make these simple shelves stand out in this fun bathroom makeover. Not only does it look good, but also adds a practical storage solution.
This simple shelf using plain brackets and found driftwood to add to your coastal decor. The hardest part of this adorable shelf is probably cleaning the driftwood and letting it dry before building it.
Not all wall shelves are considered floating or use brackets. You can find more DIY inspiration below.
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Pallet Wood Wine Rack Shelf
If you are a wine lover, then this shelving idea is for you. Be inspired by this pallet wood wine rack to store your favorite vino! Not to mention the money you will save by using pallet wood instead of buying new.
If you are looking for a practical yet beautiful storage idea, this pegboard wall with shelving is a great option. Don't let the size of these pegboard displays stop you for creating customize storage for your blank wall. The clear instructions show you exactly how to create the board, hang with a french cleat and make shelving with thick doll rod supports.
These fun barn shelves are great DIY shelf projects. Create these DIY shelves one Saturday afternoon to complete your farmhouse decor. We even love the frosted mason jars she has on display.
This easy DIY bathroom storage shelving unit is an inexpensive way to add storage to a small bathroom. Use this detailed tutorial to show you how you finally get your bathroom organized.
Are you looking for an easier way to use natural wood or driftwood? This is a great shelf for those that don’t want to do a lot of drilling into a wall but still create a wall shelf (I know odd, to say). We thought using this boat cleat was such a smart hanging idea to finish a perfectly costal or rustic look.
This beginner woodworking project is super cute to help your little one keep all those little trinkets and Legos in one place. Who doesn't love a DIY shelf project that also helps kids stay organized?
Looking for more DIY shelving inspiration, then follow our Pinterest Board all about shelving and organization.
Shelving FAQs
Why build your own shelves?
The best part about creating your own shelving is that you get to pick the style, price of materials, and difficulty. Building your own shelves can be either decorative or completely functional. Each of the shelves on this list has a unique purpose and not all require power tools like a circular saw and more.
What is the easiest shelf to build?
Bracket shelves give a great custom look without too much hassle. Simply cut a wood board or have it cut to size, stain it, or paint it and add it to your brackets. Use as a stud finder to help attach your brackets to the wall studs, check that they are level and add your board. Within a few hours, you could end up with brand-new open shelving.
What wood is the cheapest to make shelves?
Plywood is the cheapest wood, followed by pine. Both are good options if you plan on painting your shelves.
How thick should plywood be for shelves?
At least 3/4″ plywood works when building shelves.
How can I ensure my wall shelves are securely installed?
Proper installation is crucial for safety and stability. Use a stud finder to locate wall studs or use sturdy anchors if attaching to drywall. Use a bubble level to double-check that the shelves are straight.
We just love these awesome shelving wall projects that can help you create the home (and stylish storage) of your dreams! You can say good-bye to wire shelving and start building today.
Erin Nutter is the DIY enthusiast, writer and photographer behind TheDIYNuts.com. She loves sharing her passion for do-it-yourself projects along with her husband, Eric. As an artist, mother, and lover of all things DIY she hopes to inspire you to be creative to make a life and home you love.
I am always looking for new places to put things and I love that you put together so many ideas in one place. I am definitely making some of these shelves this summer!
Hi Emily! I am glad you enjoyed seeing all types of DIY shelving options. I love that this list not contains unique shelving ideas, but will allow you to stay on budget because you are trying to do-it-yourself. Good luck building.
Thank you! We are buying a house and one of the first things we want to make are some shelves! This will be helpful!
Hi Rachel! Hopefully, you will be inspired by a few of these DIY shelving projects. I know there are a few on my DIY list now.
Hi Erin – I love all of these creative DIY shelves. PINNED! Thank you for including my book case reveal. My heart is full of gratitude! Hugs, Holly
Hi Holly! I am glad you enjoyed these shelving ideas. We were happy to include your book case reveal!
I am always looking for new places to put things and I love that you put together so many ideas in one place. I am definitely making some of these shelves this summer!
Hi Emily! I am glad you enjoyed seeing all types of DIY shelving options. I love that this list not contains unique shelving ideas, but will allow you to stay on budget because you are trying to do-it-yourself. Good luck building.
I love these! As we are decluttering, we are seeing where we need shelving solutions.
Hi Steph! Yes, DIY shelves are the perfect solution for decluttering!