These DIY wall shelves were a much-needed addition to my home office. They allowed for more storage, organization, and display space. Check out the easy DIY tutorial for these easy but stylish wall-to-wall bookshelves!
MATERIAL LIST FOR DIY BOOKSHELVES
- Measuring tape – I used this laser measuring tape for easy readings!
- Laser level
- Stud Finder
- Lumber – I used 2×10’s for shelves and 2×2’s fitted as side braces
- Sandpaper (180 and 220-grit)
- Wood Stain – I used Minwax Wood Stain in “Provincial”
- Varathane Ultimate Polyurethane
- Toggle bolts (heavy duty!)
- Wood screws
- Brackets, like these fleur-de-lis hammered metal ones from Hobby Lobby.
- A table or miter saw – you can also ask your hardware store to cut your lumber for an extra fee, but I recommend double-checking their cuts before you leave the store!
- Power drill and bits
PLANNING YOUR DIY WALL SHELVES
This was not a project I dove into without a bit of thought first!
I wanted most of the shelves to span the entire width of the wall and enough space between shelves to accommodate taller books and décor.
To determine the exact measurements, I grabbed a measuring tape and chalk and began marking where I wanted my shelves – directly on the wall.
After some figuring, I went with 5 levels of shelves, with the top two and bottom two spanning the entire width of the wall but the middle shelf to be cut into two smaller shelves. This way, I could center a large picture in the middle of the wall. Each shelf was separated by 16” of vertical space except the top shelf (22” to the ceiling) and bottom shelf (22” from the floor). This made the shelves appear proportional and not too low or high.
If you are figuring the spacing based on the height of your wall, remember to accommodate for molding and the width of the boards!
DIY WALL SHELVES: INSTRUCTIONS
1. Measure and mark your wall.
Once you’ve decided on where you want your boards, brackets, and braces, mark the areas on the wall. Use a laser level to ensure your braces are completely even and that your brackets line up vertically. This way, your installation will go smoothly!
2. Measure twice and cut once!
Measure the boards to the length you want them and make your cuts with a saw. I wanted the majority of the boards to span the entire width of the wall except for the middle shelf. Here, I wanted a gap to display an Old English style print that had been given to us by my husband’s grandfather.
3. Sand, stain, and seal the boards.
You can sand by hand with a sanding block, but I recommend a power sander for this! I used 180 and 220-grit sandpaper (in that order) to prep my wood for staining. Sanding will get rid of any rough edges and also allow the boards to soak in more of that rich stain color!
My stain was water-based, and I wiped off each coat after around 5-8 minutes of soaking time. You can apply stain with just about anything, but I like using cheap natural brushes that I can toss when I’m done, and old towels to wipe off the excess.
Make sure you work in a well-ventilated area and/or use a respirator!
I let my boards dry overnight and then applied 2-3 coats of polyurethane as a topcoat. This gives the board extra protections from books and décor possibly scratching it. Polyurethane also added a satin sheen, which looked better than raw wood in my opinion.
I typically do not use polyurethane on painted pieces (especially light-colored ones), because it could yellow over time, however, it works great with staining projects and is a much stronger and more durable topcoat option compared to wax or polycrylic. If you are painting your shelves, you may opt for wax or polycrylic instead!
4. Install side braces.
These were essential since my brackets were decorative and not heavy duty. Here’s where a miter saw comes in handy, but you could also use a table saw.
We cut each 2×2 brace to a 10” segment (the depth of the shelves) and then trimmed the outer ends at a 45-degree angle so that it wasn’t so noticeable. Since we had 5 levels of shelving, we had a total of 10 braces (5 for the left side and 5 for the right side).
Toggle bolts held the braces in place since there were no studs in the areas the braces were going. If you have wall studs, you can use wood screws instead since they are easier to install and there’s no need for the extra support of the toggle bolt with a stud.
Lastly, I painted the braces to blend with the wall, using my favorite Sherwin Williams “Dark Night” Interior Showcase Paint.
5. Install shelves and brackets.
This was the hardest part, and shout-out to my husband for doing most of the manual labor!
First off, we double-checked that the boards were level on the braces and that the brackets lined up on our markings from Step #1. Then, we used toggle bolts to fasten each bracket to the boards, and then to the wall. Pre-drill holes for a straight screw path and less risk of wood splitting. Also, clamps come in handy to keep the brackets in place on the boards while drilling.
6. Decorate your bookshelves!
Finally, the fun part! After clearing out the books that I no longer wanted, I organized the rest by genre. I’ve seen people organize them by color for a much more stylish approach to shelf-staging, but I’m more of a practical bookworm!
Adding an eclectic mix of bookends, vintage décor, and personal touches with photos completed the look. You can find vintage home decor like this in my online shop, so check out what I have available!
Remember to stack and layer objects for more interest and don’t be afraid to add elements of your style!
After all, it’s your home!
You can see my full home office transformation here for more tips on updating an office space. Feel free to leave a comment or question below in the comments!
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