These picture ledge floating shelves can be built in just a few hours for around $20.
How do you make floating shelves?
Some affiliate links are used below.
Supply List
- Two 2″x3″x96″ Pine Boards
- Four 1/2″x3″x3′ Poplar Boards
- 3 Inch Screws
- Drill With Countersink Bit
- Studfinder
- Level
- Sandpaper
- Wood Conditioner
- Wood Stain (I used Weathered Oak and Briarsmoke)
- Polycrylic or Polyurethane (optional)
Step 1: Measure the width of your hallway and cut the 2×3’s down to fit. Most hallways are about 3 feet wide, so you should be able to get two shelves out of one 8 foot 2×3 board. Cut the 1/2×3″ poplar boards to the width of the hallway as well. Measure where each shelf will go to be sure the boards fit snuggly even if your walls aren’t perfectly straight.
Step 2: Sand the wood, focusing on the 1/2×3″ piece, since it’s what you’ll see most of.
Step 3: Use wood conditioner to ensure the stain goes on evenly. Just follow the directions on the can. Stain the 3″ sides of the 2×3 boards and the entire 1/2×3 boards using the stain color of your choice. I used Weathered Oak first, then did a very light coat of Briarsmoke on top of that. I chose not seal my wood with polyurethane since it’s just decorative and doesn’t need the extra protection, but you definitely could if you wanted to.
Step 4: Find the stud location in the wall using a studfinder and mark the location on the 2×3’s.
Comments & Reviews
BYU Hottie says
I LOVE this! What a simple, fun and CUTE decor addition! Thanks for the idea! 🙂
Jean Faircloth says
Looking for the pantry shelves
Jennifer says
Here ya go! https://www.thecraftpatchblog.com/how-to-build-pantry-shelves/
Liz says
How much space between shelves did u use
Jennifer says
It’s about 12 inches.
Natasha Sanchez says
I’m looking to do the same project but my door is even closer to the wall than yours. I measure it out and I believe I will end up with 1.5 inches of usable space to place pictures on. I’m sure this wont be enough for layering but do you think it will still be enough to set a picture frame on?
Jennifer says
I’m not sure that’ll be enough space… unless you measure the depth of your frames or buy super thin frames I think you’ll have a hard time being able to use it.
Kari says
how high is the lowest shelf from the floor?
Jennifer says
It’s about 18 inches off the floor.
Kari says
how far is the bottom shelf from the floor?
Kari says
sorry i wrote again! Thank you for answering! I am totally doing this project! (my husband is) 🙂 thanks again
Katie says
What color is the grey wall? It’s a perfect shade!
Jennifer says
It’s Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray lightened 50%.
Julie says
This looks so cute, I wish I had a spot to do this!! Do you remember what color your walls are?!?! I’ve been trying to find the perfect color haha and I like this one
Jennifer says
It’s a color I got off of the “oopsie” paint shelf, but it’s identical to Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray.
Pia says
I love this! My husband and I are about to attempt this in our new home. About how much spacing is between your shelves? My ceilings are 10’ high and my door frames are 8’ high. Also at what height did you start your bottom shelf? TIA
Jennifer says
I have standard 8 foot ceilings. The bottom shelf is 18 inches from the floor and each shelf is about 18″ inches from the bottom of one shelf to the bottom of the next shelf. Hope that helps!
Aly says
If my door is literally almost right next to the wall would I still be able to manage this?
Jennifer says
You do need a few inches, otherwise your ledges won’t be deep enough to hold a picture frame.
Pia says
I built these following your directions. They came out perfect! Thank you so much for posting this idea. It really transformed the blank space going into my bedroom. I started 24” from the floor and then each shelf is 20” apart. I wish I could post a picture.
Lynda White says
How tall are your ceilings?
Jennifer says
Standard 8 foot ceilings
Aggie 07 says
I absolutely love your colors!! Where did you get the number 5 sign??
Jennifer says
I made it with my Silhouette machine.
Megan says
Beautiful shelves. Why did you decide to use two different stain shades?
Jennifer says
I used two stains purely for looks. I wanted the in-between color that mixing the two gave me.
Andrea says
This is pretty random but do you know what color paint is on your wall?! We’ve been looking for a simple gray that actually looks gray and not brown or pink. If you happen to know the name I would be super grateful if you were willing to share! Thanks!
Jennifer says
It’s Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray lightened 50%.
Susan says
Love these shelves! How far into the 2×3 did you countersink the screws?
Jennifer says
I don’t know that an exact size matters… it just needs to be enough that the screws are down in the wood so they don’t bump into the front face pieces when you put those on.
Allison Frain says
Do you remember where you got the mirror? I love it!
Jennifer says
It was from the Dollar Tree years and years ago!
Nicole Spero says
We are planning on doing these soon. So when you say they are about 12” of shelf space (top to bottom) does that out the actual line for the shelves/screws at about 18” apart like? Like screws 18” from floor, then every 18” from there? Trying to space it properly
Lauren says
Hey, what paint color is that on your walls? Love it!
Jennifer says
It’s Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray lightened 50%.
Nikki says
Do you use a brush or a cloth to apply stain?
Jennifer says
Either works great!
Amy says
Just wondering how hard was it to stain the poplar board? I’ve read that it’s the most difficult wood to stain…
Jennifer says
It wasn’t hard at all. We picked through the boards to find ones without a lot of green in them and just stained like normal.