Floating Wood Shelves: DIY & Buying Guide

We at Gallagher Wood Products feel that floating wood shelves are a stylish and practical addition to any home, providing a place to store and display items while keeping your space clutter-free. While we offer our shelves in various sizes, wood species, finishes, and fully customized to fit your specific needs.  We understand choosing the right shelf can be a daunting task.  We created this full buying guide and easy step by step DIY instruction to help in your decision making process. 

Let's get to it!

 

Where to Buy Floating Wood Shelves

 

 

If you're looking to purchase floating wood shelves, there are several options available to you. Below you will find our floating shelf buying guide, it will include the best places to buy floating shelves along with our thoughts and buying tips:

1. Home Improvement Stores: Stores such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards carry a wide selection of ready-made floating shelves in various sizes, styles, and finishes.
   
   If you intend to use in an environment that could be exposed to water be careful as oftentimes these shelves are made from particle board.  They are not custom so be prepared to do some work on your end to get the correct depth or width.  Whilst they are not custom, they typically can be cut down. Realistically if you are looking for an economical storage shelf and the aesthetics are not a priority, these are a great option.  
   
   
2. Furniture Stores: Furniture stores such as IKEA, Pottery Barn, and West Elm offer a variety of ready-made floating shelves to fit your style.  
   
   These are our least favorite of the bunch.  These shelves are not fully customizable, have high markups, are often hollow (therefore cannot be easily customized without re-blocking the ends), they are rarely made in the USA, and these stores often use finishing techniques to achieve the "look" of hardwoods with lower end softwoods.  The benefit is they offer simplicity, and will match your decor if you are catalog shopping.  However, even if you are going for a specific style, most high end manufacturers can match with higher quality materials at a comparable price point.
        
3. Gallagher Wood Products: Bet you saw this coming.  Obviously we are a bit biased, but we think our shelves are of the best quality and provide the best value.  All of our wood shelves use solid hardwood construction and are handcrafted in the USA.  From long to short we can do it all, they are fully custom.  Click here to shop our full line or just to gain some inspiration.  Also feel free to reach out and we can help with your decision making process.  We love hearing from you!
   
   
4. Etsy and Other Specialty Sellers:  If you're looking for a specific style or type of floating shelf, you may want to visit a specialized shelving store, which offers a range of products specifically designed for storage and display. 
   
   These are a full mix of everything above.  Some are high end, fully customizable and great quality.  Others are imported and have high markups.  There are so many sellers we cannot comment on specific stores, however look for solid core hardwood construction and make sure that the wood species and cut is well defined. 

 

 

 

Making Your Own DIY Custom Floating Shelves

If you're a DIY enthusiast, you may want to consider making your own custom floating shelves. It's a fun and rewarding project that allows you to personalize your shelves to fit your specific needs and style. Here's what you'll need:

• Wood board (MDF for painted, plywood, or solid wood)
• Floating Shelf Brackets
• Screws
• Anchors
• Drill
• Stud finder
• Level
• Clamps
• Wood Glue
• Sandpaper
• Edgebanding Veneer and Iron (optional)
• Paint or stain (optional)
• Clear finish (optional)
• Razorblade or Router (optional)
• Planer (optional)

Here are the steps to make your own custom floating shelf:

1. Cut the wood board to the desired length and width.
   
   If you are using a solid wood and you need a depth that is not offered, you will need to use a horizontal clamp to join several boards together.  Use wood glue and biscuits to camp each board.  If you are using plywood or MDF you will need to vertically clamp the board to achieve your desired depth.  Use wood glue to join each panel together. 
   
   
2. Sand the edges and surfaces of the board to ensure a smooth finish.
   
   For the Face: If you are using solid wood you can start with a planer.  If you are using plywood veneer or MDF start with 150 grit and work up to 300 grit.  If using plywood veneer be very careful not to sand through the veneer.
   
   For the edges:  Use a sanding block to ensure a 90 degree for the edge.  Starting with 60 grit and working your way up to 100 for plywood, and working your way up to 300 grit for MDF and solid wood.
   
   
3. For plywood apply preglued edgebanding with an iron.  Cut off excess veneer with router or razor.
   
   Preglued edgebanding can be found on amazon or other online marketplaces.  Additionally they can be found at specialty retailers like Oakwood Veneer.    
   
   
4. Apply paint or stain to the board, if desired. 
   
   Follow Manufacturer's instructions.
   
   
5. If you apply a stain apply a clear finish to the board, for added protection and durability.
   
   Follow Manufacturer's instructions.
   
   
6. Determine the location of the wall studs using a stud finder and mark the studs on the wall.
   
   Studs are ideal however if you cannot find a stud in the required spot we recommend using Snap Toggle Anchors.
   
   
7. Drill and attach brackets or cleats to the back of the board using screws.
   
   
8. Hang the shelf on the wall by aligning the brackets or cleats with the marked studs and securing them to the studs using screws.
   
   
9. Use a level to ensure that the shelf is straight and make any necessary adjustments.

 

 

In conclusion, floating wood shelves are a versatile and stylish addition to any home. Whether you purchase ready-made shelves or make your own custom DIY shelves, they provide a great solution for storage and display needs. Our favorite part of open shelving is that they force us to be organized and eliminate clutter.  Regardless of what direction you go, you now have all the information you need to choose the best option for you.