DIY: How to Make a Floating Shelf – Three Methods (From Beginner to Advanced)
- mybettershelf
- Sep 3
- 5 min read
Floating shelves are a popular decorative and storage solution in modern homes. Their clean, minimalist look makes them suitable for almost any room, including the living room, kitchen and bathroom. A floating shelf appears to 'float' in front of the wall thanks to a hidden bracket or support element. This design is both aesthetic and practical: it is easily adaptable, takes up little space and reduces the feeling of clutter, which is an effective interior design trick for small spaces.
If you want to make these shelves yourself, there are several options. Below, we describe three DIY methods.
First things first, what do you need for your DIY-project?
The following basic materials and tools are required for floating shelves:
- Wood (e.g. pine, oak or MDF)
- Screws and fasteners
- Brackets or mounting rods/brackets
- A drill and screwdriver
- Sandpaper
- Measuring tape and a spirit level
- Wood paint, stain or varnish for finishing
Depending on the exact dimensions and design requirements, it may be worth choosing wood of different thicknesses and lengths.
1) A thick, built-in floating shelf (advanced level)
When is this a good choice?
When you need a high load capacity, for example for books or hi-fi equipment, and you like the look of thick, distinctive shelves.
What are they?
Hollow shelves fitted with a sturdy support structure. First, the support structure must be built, and then it is covered with the visible material. These shelves are usually much thicker than traditional floating shelves, but they can support the heaviest loads. They require more tools and time to build and, once installed, cannot be moved as they function as built-in furniture.
Steps in brief
Planning: Measure the wall section and mark the wall frame/bricks. Determine the length and depth of the shelf.
Construction of the frame: create a horizontal 'spine' and perpendicular arms (like a ladder), then secure it to the wall using a combination of dowels and screws (if the wall is made of drywall, secure it to the wall frame).
Covering: Secure the top and bottom panels using your preferred fastening method, then close the front panel.
Finishing: sanding, pore filling, oiling and varnishing.
Pro tip:
The joints are made invisible by cutting the front panel at a 45° angle. If you're looking for inspiration, you'll find more info about it on the Yellow Brick Home blog.
2) Thin floating shelf with "semi-concealed" fasteners (beginner–intermediate level)
When is this a good choice?
If you want a quick, cost-effective, and easy-to-implement solution, and you don't mind if the support structure is visible at the bottom of the shelf.
What is it?
A solid shelf board that you attach using a not 100% hidden wall bracket. There is no need to make space for the bracket in the shelf – you simply mount it on the wall and screw the shelf onto it from below/the side. This is the simplest DIY method: shelf + bracket + screws. The disadvantage is that the support structure remains somewhat visible.
Steps in brief
Preparing the shelf: cut to the desired size, edge banding or rounding, sanding, surface treatment.
Positioning the brackets: mark the holes with a spirit level and a straight ruler, keeping the spacing at ~40 cm for longer shelves.
Wall mounting: use a dowel that matches the wall material (brick/concrete: appropriate size dowel; plasterboard: metal butterfly screws or – best of all – screw into the wall frame).
Fixing the shelf board: pre-drill to avoid cracking, then screw in from below/side.
Pro tip
The shelf board should be at least 18–22 mm thick to hold the screws securely.
3) Thin floating shelf with 100% concealed bracket (intermediate–advanced level)
When is this a good choice?
If you insist on a completely "floating," minimalist bracket-free look.
What is it?
Shelves equipped with hidden wall mounts, where the support structure is completely invisible. To achieve this, precisely fitting holes must be drilled into the shelf. This is difficult to do at home and may require serious workshop equipment and tools. The result is ultra-clean, but the execution is no longer simple DIY.
Steps in brief
Marking: Select the floating shelf bracket and mark the location and depth of the holes on the back of the shelf based on the manufacturer's specifications.
Drilling/milling: Attach a drill guide (factory template or homemade jig), set the depth stop, and drill a precise, right-angled hole at low to medium speed.
Alignment: Clean out the hole and try fitting the rod: it should be tight but fit by hand; adjust gently if necessary.
Wall mounting: Mount the bracket on the wall using a spirit level, then pull the shelf onto it. Finally, if everything is in order, you can glue the rods to the shelf to prevent rattling.
Pro tip
For longer shelves, use more hidden fasteners and take the weight of the shelf itself into account.
Tips and tricks for successful floating shelves DIY-project
Choose hard, durable wood, such as oak or beech, which is less prone to warping or cracking.
If you are inexperienced, it is a good idea to start with smaller shelves.
In addition to wood glue, use hidden screws for the joints, as they are more durable.
Always match the color and finish of the shelf to the style of your home.
Colored LED lighting installed in a hidden location can give floating shelves a modern look.
Which method should you choose?
Maximum load capacity, fixed location: a thick, frame-built shelf will be the winner.
Quick success with a "soft floating" effect: semi-concealed mounting is the simplest.
Clean, premium look: the 100% concealed solution is the most beautiful – if you have the tools and experience to do it.
We can help with the execution
If you like the completely concealed solution, we offer floating shelves that come with a concealed shelf bracket, and we take the hardest part of the job off your shoulders with pre-drilled holes – all you have to do is install it. However, you can design the layout yourself and order custom sizes.
Would you like a different type of shelf bracket? Send us the dimensions and specifications of the bracket, and we will make the shelf to fit.
We are also happy to help with the semi-concealed mounting version: we manufacture custom-sized shelf boards in a variety of solid wood and painted finishes, even with live edge or ribbed front panels – which are compatible with any "semi-concealed" bracket.
Conclusion – small apartment, big impact
Floating shelves are one of the best value DIY projects: they make your walls look tidier, give your space a more airy feel, and provide a stylish frame for your favorite items. Start with the method that's right for you, follow the basic principles of mounting, and if you like, we can help you with everything from measuring to custom manufacturing to make your project a success. Write to us if you have any questions, or go straight to requesting a custom quote—so that your DIY experience is about creativity, not compromise.
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Photo: Wix, mybettershelf, Yello Brick Home Blog, Linear Standard Website
