How To Make Easy Floating Shelves For Cheap

Create Built-In Floating Shelves Easily With This Budget Savvy Method

Welcome back y’all to week 4 of this pantry renovation mayhem!

This week has been a busy one! I built the tall pantry storage unit using the same method I used on Eli’s nursery storage unit.

With only two weeks to go, it is definitely time to panic… But on a high note, all the cabinets are built & ready to be sanded & painted.

F YOU ARE NEW HERE, WE ARE TAKING PART IN THIS SEASONS ONE ROOM CHALLENGE. THIS CHALLENGE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES, A BUNCH OF AMAZING DIY-ERS TAKE ON RENOVATING AN ENTIRE ROOM IN JUST 6 WEEKS!

Catch Up Here: Week 1 ~ Week 2 ~ Week 3

This week I took on building the upper shelving unit.

I wanted it to look built in & custom but I needed to DIY it the easiest & most budget savvy way possible.

How To Make Easy Floating Shelves For Cheap

Supplies:

  • 1 Sheet of MDF
  • 1×2 Furring Strips
  • 2″ Screws
  • Stud Finder
  • Level

Procedure:

  1. Start my marking the studs using a stud finder.

2. Next measure the wall & cut 3 furring strips (1) the length of the wall & (2) the width the shelf will be. Mine is 13″ wide.

3. I attached the longest furring strip first & secured it by drilling 2″ wood screws to the studs. Be sure to use a level!

TIP: When you are hanging things on the wall by yourself it’s easiest to pre-drill the screws into the wood first.

4. I followed the same steps for the side pieces.

5. Next I used my table saw to rip the MDF into 3 shelves. If you don’t have a table saw the guys at the hardware store will rip them for you! I attached them with 2″ nails to the furring strips.

6. My favorite hack to make thin shelves look thick is to attach a 2″ board to the front using finishing nails & wood glue.

How To Make Easy Floating Shelves For Cheap

7. I also connected my 3 shelves with a 2″ piece of MDF running vertically across them.

How To Make Easy Floating Shelves For Cheap
How To Make Easy Floating Shelves For Cheap

I am so excited to have the final pantry cabinets built!

Now all that’s left is to fill the nail holes, sand, & paint all the cabinets!

There is still a lot to do before we can call this renovation complete so we better get back to work!

Pantry Renovation To-Do List:

  • Base Pantry Cabinets
  • Build Floor to Ceiling Shelving Unit
  • Build Upper Pantry Shelves
  • Paint Cabinets/Shelving
  • Build Spice Rack
  • Backsplash
  • Install Countertop
  • Paint Pantry
  • Pantry Food Storage Containers/Labels

Don’t forget to check out all the other room renovations taking place for the One Room Challenge!

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