Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique! 2026

Isabel Gaines
Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique! - grandgoldman.com
This page may contain affiliate links.

Make your Own Floating Shelves with this Simple Technique, we will show you the easiest methods to make yours. These shelves are easy to make and the best part is that you only need a few hand tools.

So if you're looking to store your gear, decorate a room, or simply renovate the bathroom, these shelves could be a quick solution.


Power 99% of Appliances

Anker Portable Power Station: Longer Runtime Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station


Make Your Own Floating Shelves

ADVERTISEMENT

By cutting a rod into small pieces, you can reduce the cost by eliminating the supports. With some adjustments, this method can be modified to fit most applications.

We dive into this construction and see you in the next step.

Step 1: What do you need?

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

  • (1) Yellow Pine: I used 8×1.5×96 (inches)
  • (1) 1/2 Dowel (Oak), 36 inches long
  • (6) 3-inch wood screws (two per shelf)
  • (3) 3/4 to 1 inch wood screws (one on each shelf)
  • Wood finish
  • Wood conditioner
  • Polyurethane

First, cut the wood into 3 equal parts.

ADVERTISEMENT

Step 2: Pegs

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

Cut the pin (dowel):

I'm using a 36 inch oak rod. At 4 inches long, they are very strong and require a great amount of force to break.

Starting from one end to the other, place a mark every 4 inches. Then cut the dowels at the mark, you should end up with 9 pieces.

Back to the wood:

Place a mark 2 inches from each end and then place another in the middle. Draw a line, then make a center mark.

Drilling the hole:

ADVERTISEMENT

Add tape on the bit to set the depth of the pin. Drill the hole.

Step 3: Cutting the wood

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

Although I used my circular saw, you can use a table saw to make these cuts easily. I set the guides to make a cutting depth of 1.5 inches.

Note that the tear should be along the side with the holes "pre-drilled."

During this process after each cut, I marked and numbered the parts so I know which cuts it belongs to.

Step 4: Shaping the pin

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

The trick to making this step successful is to sand off a portion of the pin. A portion of the pin will pass through the rear shelf support.

This part can be left unsanded, it will make a perfect fit. The rest of the pin will need to be sanded.

I find it easy to put the pin into the chuck of my drill and turn it over the sandpaper. The main reason why I didn't do uA larger hole is just that I don't want the rod to be loose. While sanding at this point, you can also sand the rest of the parts.

Step 5: Add a Security Screw

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

After confirming that each pin fits easily. Hammer the dowels through both parts. They could be disassembled with minimal effort.

Next, make a mark in the center of the center dowel. Then place a clamp near the center. Pre-drill and install a screw in this area. This will lock the shelf in place.

Step 6: Add the finish

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

After everything has been sanded. See below how I finished the bookshelf. You can paint or apply any finish you want.

  • I applied the pre-stain condition (prevent stain)
  • A finishing coat
  • Two layers of Polyurethane

Step 7: Assembly

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

ADVERTISEMENT

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

These shelves can be mounted on any wall. In my situation, I mounted them on drywall. There are other mounting methods, but finding the stud in the wall would give more strength.

After finding the studs on the first stud wall using a stud finder. I looked for the second one, made a mark on the back support and the wall. Then transfer the same markings to the other brackets and drill a hole to sink the screw heads.

Simply screw the shelves into place and slide the shelves onto the dowel rods. Then add the security screw to finish.

ADVERTISEMENT

Step 8: Ready!

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique

Here are some ideas for using shelves. I have received a lot of questions about the weight limit. I have not put a maximum weight on the shelf, so I cannot confirm the maximum weight load. I'm sure these will be between 50 and 60 pounds.

Thank you for reading this article.

ADVERTISEMENT

Learn more at perfectionidea.com and on our Facebook for more Make Your Own Floating Shelves with This Simple Technique.

  • Tags
  • Guide
Previous article
Make hexagonal boxes as shelves to decorate the walls of your home
Next article
Learn how to manage thermal insulation and protect your home from the cold and heat outside

Popular Content

DIY

How to make a rocket stove for outdoors

DIY

Drawerse Cartons Lined with Jeans

House

Bedroom furniture with secret compartments!

Latest Articles

DIY

How to make a refrigerator out of insulating material: Practical step-by-step guide

House

How to make a Kilim for the Home: Complete Step by Step Guide

DIY

How to protect ourselves from accidents in our workplace: Complete prevention and safety guide

Related Content

Kitchen

Solid Wood Block Countertop Design!

Uranus -
Tutorials

Panoramic Platform for your Camera or Cell Phone

Uranus -
Home

Vinyl Floor or Laminate Floor: Which to Choose?

Uranus -
Kitchen

Ideas and Designs to Have Your Own Kitchen Bar

Uranus -

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

home decor living room

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT
Isabel Gaines

Author

Isabel Gaines

As a former restaurant owner turned reporter, Isabel brings a unique perspective to Grand Goldman. With decades of experience, her articles on cooking and homemaking are both informative and engaging, reflecting her deep knowledge and love for all things culinary.


Get Lifetime Access to the Lastest Movies, with Exclusive Offers & Free Express Order Delivery.

26 Best Mother's Day Deals Worth Your Money in 2026 - grandgoldman.com

26 Melhores Ofertas do Dia das Mães que Valem a Pena em 2026

Análises de Produtos - 26 Melhores Ofertas do Dia das Mães que Valem a Pena em 2026 - Últimas notícias e tudo o que você precisa saber no Grandgold...

Read
PlayHot Portable Handheld Personal Fan Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Ventilador Pessoal Portátil PlayHot

Se você procura uma solução de resfriamento leve e ultraleve para viagens, mesas de escritório ou momentos ao ar livre em verões quentes, o Ventila...

Read
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner (O que encontrei)

Ter uma máquina confiável de limpeza localizada é um dos investimentos mais inteligentes para as residências que lidam com derramamentos acidentais...

Read
AUTOMAN Adjustable Garden Hose Nozzle Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Bico de Mangueira Ajustável para Jardim AUTOMAN

Ao procurar um acessório confiável para mangueira que ofereça controle preciso de água, durabilidade e manuseio confortável, muitos proprietários e...

Read
HOMESURE Strong Storage Bags Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação dos Sacos de Armazenamento Fortes da HOMESURE

Ao longo dos anos revisando equipamentos de organização doméstica para Grandgoldman.com, descobri que muitas soluções de armazenamento falham porqu...

Read
LEVOIT Core 200S Smart Air Purifier Review - grandgoldman.com

Análise do Purificador de Ar Inteligente Core 200S da LEVOIT (Você precisa ver isto)

Como alguém que regularmente analisa produtos de qualidade do ar em ambientes internos, passei um tempo analisando o LEVOIT Core 200S Smart Air Pur...

Read
Dreo Velocity Oscillating Tower Fan Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Ventilador de Torre Oscilante Dreo Velocity

Quando o calor de verão chega ou o ar interno parece estagnado, um ventilador torre poderoso torna-se uma das melhorias de resfriamento mais prátic...

Read
Shark HV302 Rocket Ultra-Light Vacuum Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Aspirador Shark HV302 Rocket Ultra-Leve

Se você está procurando um aspirador leve que ofereça forte sucção sem o volume de um modelo vertical tradicional, o Shark HV302 Rocket Ultra-Light...

Read
GENIANI Electric Heating Pad Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação da almofada elétrica de aquecimento GENIANI (Leia antes de comprar)

A dor crônica nas costas, cólicas menstruais, ombros tensos e dores musculares afetam milhões de pessoas todos os dias. Como alguém que testa regul...

Read
AmazonBasics Oscillating Standing Fan Review - grandgoldman.com

Avaliação do Ventilador de Pedestal Oscilante AmazonBasics (Leitura Obrigatória)

Encontrar um ventilador de pedestal confiável que ofereça fluxo de ar forte, operação silenciosa e durabilidade a longo prazo pode ser surpreendent...

Read