How to Build a Cool Floating Book Shelf! 2026

How to Build a Cool Floating Book Shelf, books are heavy and as a result, most book shelves sit on the floor, so they are not stable, dirt accumulates behind them and it is difficult to clean the floor. It is not at eye level, which is not ergonomic.

The shelf designed here has the following particularities:

Amazon Essentials by Sofia Grainge - Summer 2026 Promotion

• Be strong enough not to bend, even when fully loaded with heavy books
• Hang on the wall, so it would be more ergonomic and easier to clean
• Have no visible screws or accessories to maintain the minimalist design
  As a result, this bookshelf is not difficult to build.

Step 1: Explanation of the concept

The shelf consists of 3 types of parts:

1. Wooden ‘hooks’ that attach to the wall with plugs and screws/bolts. I used 3 hooks per side (so a total of 6). Each 'hook' is attached to the wall with 2 screws/bolts. These ‘hooks’ and their screws/bolts carry the entire weight of the shelving, so you need to size them for the job. I took 8mm bolts
2. 2 Sides: left and right are symmetrical (identical but mirrored). The sides are 'hooked' to the hooks mentioned above
3. A number of shelves, 5 in my case. They are all identical. They fit between the two sides.

You can change the dimensions as follows:

• Make the sides taller or shorter, depending on the height of your ceiling. I kept 40cm of space around the shelf. My ceiling is 265cm, so I made it 180cm high
• Make the shelves shorter/longer. Mine are 155cm, but you can take any length…
• Vary the number of shelves. I took 5, but you could easily make more or less shelves. You need one at the top and one at the bottom. All remaining shelves are evenly distributed vertically.
• Change the depth: I took 30cm as it fits most books, but if you build it for paperbacks, or CD/DVD/BR, you can make it (for example) 15cm deep instead

Step 2: Materials and tools

Note:

The dimensions below will produce a shelf 1800mm high, 1550mm wide and 300mm deep.
Using the Sketchup model (included below), you can resize to your needs.

Materials:

List of parts for the sides (the 2 sides are symmetrical)

• 4 Pieces 1781.4 mm x 290.7 mm x 18 mm of Blockwood.
• 5 m of 32 mm x 32 mm wood. pine
• 5 m of solid wood 70 mm x 9.3 mm, oak in my case. This type of wood is available at hardwood flooring stores.

Parts list for shelves (all 5 shelves are identical)

• 10 Pieces of 1414 mm x 290.7 mm x 18 mm of Blockwood
• 14 m of 32 mm x 32 mm wood, e.g. Ex. Pine
• 8 m of solid wood 70 mm x 9.3 mm, oak in my case. This type of wood is available at hardwood flooring stores.
• 12 8mm x 100mm Screws (for mounting the hooks on the wall). You may need to select appropriate screws depending on the type of wall
• 12 Wall Pegs

Tools:

• Router
• Sander
• Clamps
• Drill

Step 3: Model in Google SketchUp

Here is a (Google) Sketchup template that allows you to browse and modify Bookshelf.

Download file.

SketchUp is a free 3D software that is really powerful and easy to use!
If you like woodworking, you should try SketchUp.

Step 4: Building the pieces: Hooks

• Cut 6 identical 30cm long pieces from the 32mm x 100mm wood
• Then cut each piece in half at a 45 degree angle: This will produce 6 sets of 2 pieces each. One to place on the wall and the other to enter the "sides"
• Drill the holes for the screws/bolts: My bolts are 8mm x 100mm, so I drilled two 8mm holes all the way.
• Depending on the length of the screws/bolts, you will need to 'sink' the screws. I used 8mm x 100mm bolts: 50mm remains in the wood and 50mm in the wall, so after drilling an 8mm hole, I drilled a 16mm hole, just 50mm deep. This can best be done with a drill bit called a Forstner (see image below)
• You may want to sand and/or round the hooks that will be on the wall a little on the front side. This will make it easier to slide the “side” panels over them when assembling the shelving.

Step 5: Building the pieces: 2 Sides

Each side consists of 2 Blockwood panels, some solid wood slats, and 3 halves of the hooks from the previous step:

• Place a Blockwood panel (1781.4 mm x 290.3 mm), face down (i.e. with the nice oak side facing down) on your workbench. Protect the bottom if necessary to avoid damaging the wood.
• Glue the 3 corresponding parts of the hooks. ‘Dents’ needs to be ‘down’.
• Glue 32mm x 32mm wooden strips on the other 3 sides, they work as spaces. It is easiest to keep these strips 5mm from the inside of the panel.
• Paste the second Blockwood panel, face up on top of it. Align both panels so that they are exactly on top of each other.
• Glue two 290.3mm long (70mm x 9.3mm) oak strips to the top and bottom of each side. Check that the front of the side is now flat. (Use sander or router to remove excess if necessary)
• Glue a 1800mm long strip of oak to the front.
• Use a Router with a drill bit to remove excess from the front, bottom and top strips.
• Cut 5 pieces of 270mm x 32 x 32 and glue + screw them to the inside of each side. These will be the guides that carry the shelves. If you turn from the side of these guides, it is easier to slide on the shelves. Warning: Until now both sides were identical. In this step, the left side and the right side are no longer identical: The guides should go to the right for one and the left for the other.
• Apply wood oil.

Step 6: Building the pieces: 3 Shelves

Very similar to the sides:

• Place a Blockwood panel face down.
• Stick two 32mm spacers on it.
• Plue the second Blockwood panel over it, face up, check alignment.
• Attach the front strip.
• Remove the excess front strip with the Router and a small routing slot.
• Apply wood oil.

Step 7: Assembly

1. Attaching the hooks to the wall: Placing the hookshos on the wall is the most difficult part: The position of the 6 must be correct:

• Hooks should align in a vertical line; otherwise you will have a hard time sliding the sides over it.
• The hooks must align in a horizontal line, otherwise your shelving will not end up level
• The hooks must be spaced correctly, or not all 6 hooks will carry a load.

So take your time and double check all drilling positions. It is okay to draw some lines on the wall with the center lines for drilling, etc., as all these lines will be hidden by the shelving later.

Tip 1: Drill a hole (the same diameter as the holes you intend to drill) in a small piece of wood. Then place this board with your hole in the exact location of where you are going to drill into the wall. This will prevent your drill from "escaping" the exact location.

Tip 2: Tape a small plastic bag under the hole to be drilled with painters tape. This will trap most of the stone dust
Insert the dowels and mount the 6 blocks to the wall. Insert the plugs (use the best quality plugs), and screw the hooks to the wall. Make sure each hook is perpendicular to the wall and floor.

2. Hang 2 sides to the wall: Slide each size onto the hooks. Use a rubber mallet (and some protective piece of wood) to get it closer to the wall and down.

3. Slide the 5 shelves into place: Start with the bottom and top shelves, then add the middle ones.

Step 8: Ready

This is really fun: moving your favorite books to the shelf...

Step 9: Final Touches

This bookshelf could be further improved with the following ideas:

• Add lights; Due to the hollow nature and design, it is easy to add some LED lights on the shelves. This could be done with traditional light bulbs or with the more sophisticated LED strips.
• If you make a longer shelf (> 3m > 10ft), I advise you to support this with some additional 'hooks' that are attached to the wall. (horizontal hooks, this time)
• Place your stereo, use the shelves and sides to hide all the cables
• You could cut a slot in the front bands, which would allow the glass panels to slide inward, making it clear of a display case.

Learn more at perfectionidea.com and on our Facebook for more How to Build a Cool Floating Book Shelf.

Creative Home Decor Ideas to Transform Every Space

Refreshing your home starts with smart design choices that combine comfort, personality, and functionality. Whether you want to modernize a small apartment, upgrade outdoor areas, or create cozy rustic interiors, these trending ideas can completely change the atmosphere of your space.

Outdoor Spaces That Increase Style and Functionality

Outdoor living continues to dominate modern home trends. Homeowners are increasingly investing in practical entertainment zones inspired by these BBQ shed ideas, which create the perfect setup for gatherings and weekend cooking sessions.

First impressions also matter when designing exteriors. Elegant farm entrance gates design ideas help properties stand out while improving privacy and curb appeal.

Compact living solutions are also gaining popularity. These inspiring 16x40 shed house interior design ideas show how smaller spaces can still feel luxurious and functional.

To enhance patios and entryways, homeowners are adding stylish protection with these creative porch awning exterior DIY ideas that blend aesthetics with practicality.

Rustic and Cozy Interior Design Trends

Warm and natural interiors remain timeless. These charming rustic decor ideas combine wood textures, vintage accents, and earthy tones to create welcoming spaces.

Bedrooms are becoming more personalized with curated wall arrangements. Many homeowners use these stylish picture wall ideas for bedroom spaces to display memories and artwork creatively.

Textured wall treatments are another major trend. Installing a board and batten wall adds architectural character while keeping interiors elegant and modern.

Similarly, bold accent wall ideas can instantly transform plain rooms into eye-catching focal points without requiring a full renovation.

Smart Kitchen and Organization Inspiration

Functional kitchens are essential for modern homes. These practical kitchen wall cabinet ideas maximize storage while maintaining a clean and stylish appearance.

Organization also starts at the entrance. Well-designed mud room ideas help families keep shoes, coats, and daily essentials neatly arranged.

Colorful and Personalized Home Styling

Vibrant interiors are becoming increasingly popular thanks to playful dopamine decor ideas that use bright colors and joyful accessories to improve mood and energy.

Gallery walls also continue to evolve as a major decorative feature. These trendy gallery wall inspiration ideas offer creative ways to combine prints, photos, and statement art.

Young renters and new homeowners are especially embracing these stylish first apartment aesthetic ideas to create sophisticated interiors on a budget.

Finally, selecting the right shades can dramatically influence any room’s atmosphere. These modern trendy color ideas help homeowners choose palettes that feel fresh, elegant, and timeless.

Final Thoughts

From rustic charm and colorful interiors to outdoor entertaining areas and functional storage solutions, today’s home decor trends focus on creating spaces that feel both beautiful and livable. By combining smart layouts, modern textures, and personalized decorative elements, any home can become more stylish, comfortable, and inspiring.