30 DIY Shelves That Will Transform Your Home
Are you on the lookout for ways to increase your home’s wall storage while keeping costs low? Look no further than DIY shelves! Creating your own wall shelves from affordable or upcycled materials can be a budget-friendly alternative to purchasing ready-made shelving units. Plus, DIY shelves add a personal touch to your decor, making your space truly unique. Whether you prefer modern, rustic, industrial, Scandinavian, boho-style, or anything in between, there’s a DIY shelf idea out there for you.
Customize your DIY shelving project by using materials that you already have on hand or can source inexpensively. Upcycled pallet wood, plywood, rope, acrylic, or even scraps of canvas and leather can all be repurposed to create stunning shelves that blend seamlessly with your interior. To help kickstart your DIY journey, we’ve compiled 30 creative DIY shelf ideas of varying sizes and styles made with simple, affordable, or upcycled materials. Get ready to be inspired for your next home improvement project!
Transform Your Space with DIY Shelves
Discover how easy and fun it can be to create your own DIY shelves to enhance your home’s decor and storage capacity. From stylish belt shelves to practical dresser drawer shelves, there’s a DIY shelving idea for every room in your home. Let’s dive into the exciting world of DIY shelves and start transforming your living space one shelf at a time!
1. DIY Belt Shelf by Nur Noch
Looking to display a few small items in a unique way? The DIY belt shelf by Nur Noch is a clever and cost-effective solution. Utilizing a wooden board and an old suede or leather belt, you can create a chic shelf to showcase your favorite trinkets. This project is both easy to execute and easy on the wallet, making it a perfect weekend DIY endeavor.
2. DIY Cheese Box Shelves by Curb to Refurb
Give new life to a discarded cheese box by turning it into a stylish round shelf. Carrie from Curb to Refurb demonstrates how you can repurpose found objects into eye-catching home decor pieces. Simply visit your local gourmet store to find a similar box for free, and voila – you’ve got yourself a unique shelf that’s sure to impress!
3. Plywood Floating Shelves by Most Lovely Things
Organize your collection of small items with DIY plywood floating shelves. Most Lovely Things shows how you can create custom shelving to keep your essentials neatly displayed. With these floating shelves, finding what you need becomes a breeze, all while adding a touch of visual appeal to your space.
4. Dresser Drawer Shelves by Namely Original
Give new life to an old dresser by transforming its drawers into adorable shelving units. Namely Original’s Emily demonstrates how you can repurpose dresser drawers to craft charming shelves for your home. By attaching the drawers to the wall securely, you can create a unique storage solution that’s both practical and stylish.
5. Wood Tray Shelf by Nur Noch
Repurpose a wooden tray into an elegant shelf with this DIY project by Nur Noch. By cutting and joining the tray pieces, you can create a long, narrow shelf that adds a touch of sophistication to your walls. This is a great way to upcycle old trays and give them a new lease on life as trendy wall decor.
6. Craft Box Shelves by Making Lemonade
Get creative with customizable paper mâché boxes to construct stunning shelving displays. Carrie from Making Lemonade showcases how you can transform simple boxes into eye-catching shelves by spray-painting and strategically arranging them on your wall. Add a touch of glamour by covering the shelf backs with gold scrapbook paper for a polished finish.
7. DIY Wall Planter Shelf by Home Made By Carmona
Bring a touch of nature indoors with a DIY wall planter shelf. Ursula Carmona from Home Made By Carmona shares a simple project to create a wooden box planter that serves as a vibrant focal point in any room. This greenery-infused shelf adds a fresh and lively element to your decor while showcasing your love for plants.
8. DIY Peg Rail Shelf by A Beautiful Mess
Achieve a timeless look with a DIY peg rail shelf that keeps your kitchen essentials organized and within reach. A Beautiful Mess demonstrates how you can create a simple yet functional peg rail shelf to hang mugs, towels, and more. This versatile shelving solution adds a touch of charm to any space, from traditional to modern.
9. Pallet Wood Window Shelves by Lobster and Swan
Embrace rustic charm with weathered pallet wood window shelves that bring a touch of the countryside into your home. Lobster and Swan showcase how you can install pallet wood shelving in windowsills to house plants and display decorative objects. These shelves double as handy storage spots and delightful display areas, perfect for adding a cozy vibe to your space.
10. Paper Mâché Magazine Shelf by Recycle Nation
Add a unique touch to your decor with a shelf crafted from recycled magazines using a paper mâché technique. Recycle Nation demonstrates how you can transform old National Geographic magazines into a functional and artistic shelving unit. Create a conversation piece for your home while reducing waste and embracing sustainable living.
11. DIY Stretched Canvas Shelf by The Merrythought
Turn a stretched art canvas into a minimalist shelf for displaying lightweight objects and small keepsakes. The Merrythought’s DIY project showcases how you can repurpose canvas frames to create a narrow shelf that adds a creative touch to your walls. Showcase your favorite postcards, photos, or trinkets with this simple yet stylish shelving idea.
12. Floating Corner Shelves by A Beautiful Mess
Maximize unused corner space with floating L-shaped shelves that offer both storage and display options. A Beautiful Mess presents chunky white DIY shelves that are perfect for showcasing decorative items or storing essentials. These versatile shelves add a contemporary flair to your decor while optimizing space in any room.
13. Wood Slat Entryway Shelf by The Merrythought
Add functionality to your entryway with a DIY shelf that keeps keys, sunglasses, and other essentials organized. The Merrythought’s wooden slat entryway shelf features staggered shelves and a small mirror for a multifunctional storage solution. Elevate your entry space with this minimalistic wall shelf that combines style and practicality.
14. House-Shaped Shelf by A Beautiful Mess
Keep your mugs neatly arranged and easily accessible with a charming DIY mug shelf. A Beautiful Mess showcases a simple project that adds a cozy touch to your kitchen walls. This house-shaped shelf is a delightful way to display your favorite mugs while adding a touch of whimsy to your decor.
15. Wood Circle Shelf by The Merrythought
Introduce soft curves to your walls with a scrapwood shelf attached to a wooden round. The Merrythought’s DIY project offers a quick and easy way to create a unique shelf for displaying succulents, candles, or other decorative items. Enhance your decor with this simple yet stylish shelf that adds a touch of contemporary flair to any room.
16. Skateboard Shelves by The Crafted Sparrow
Repurpose skateboards into eclectic DIY shelves that add a playful touch to your space. The Crafted Sparrow’s Rebecca showcases how you can mount skateboards on the wall using L brackets to create eye-catching shelves. This fun and functional shelving idea is perfect for adding a touch of personality to a child’s room or play area.
17. DIY Triangle Shelves by The Merrythought
Infuse your interior with a dynamic flair by incorporating small wooden triangle shelves as wall decor. The Merrythought’s DIY project offers a playful and versatile shelving solution for storing knickknacks or adding visual interest to your walls. Arrange these charming triangle shelves in various orientations to create an eye-catching display in any room.
18. Marble and Brass Shelving by A Beautiful Mess
Elevate your bathroom decor with high-end marble and brass shelves that exude glamour and sophistication. A Beautiful Mess demonstrates how you can achieve a luxe look on a budget by attaching marble tiles to wood boards and spray-painting brackets with gold paint. This DIY shelving idea adds a touch of elegance to your bathroom, creating a chic focal point above the toilet alcove.
19. Mini Photo and Plant Shelf by The Merrythought
Enhance a minimalist space with a purpose-built shelf for displaying photos and mini plants. The Merrythought’s DIY project features a small shelf with a cutout for a planter, allowing you to create a stylish wall display with printed photos and greenery. Add a personal touch to your decor with this charming shelf that doubles as a decorative accent in any room.
20. Pre-Stained Wood Shelves by A Beautiful Mess
Create a midcentury modern-inspired display using geometric dark wood honeycomb shelves that serve as both wall decor and storage. A Beautiful Mess showcases DIY shelves that add a touch of sophistication and visual interest to your walls. Elevate your decor with these stylish pre-stained wood shelves that bring a contemporary vibe to any room.
21. DIY Towel Shelf by The Merrythought
Keep your bathroom organized and tidy with a DIY wall shelf designed for storing towels and displaying decorative items. The Merrythought’s modern shelf features hanging storage for rolled towels below and a display shelf above for plants, mirrors, or other accessories. Upgrade your bathroom with this elegant and functional shelf that combines practicality and aesthetics seamlessly.
22. Rope Shelf by A Piece of Rainbow
Craft easy and inexpensive DIY shelves using just rope and wood to add a touch of rustic charm to your space. Ananda from A Piece of Rainbow showcases how you can create stylish shelves with minimal materials and effort. By dyeing the rope and securing it to wooden boards, you can fashion unique and practical shelves that accentuate your decor.
23. DIY Fruit Basket Shelves by A Beautiful Mess
Utilize vertical wall space to store fruit, veggies, and other items with DIY fruit basket shelves. A Beautiful Mess demonstrates how you can repurpose baskets to create a functional shelving unit that keeps your kitchen organized. Mount the baskets on the wall for a convenient and attractive storage solution that adds a touch of farmhouse charm to your space.
24. Driftwood Shelf by Sustain My Craft Habit
Bring a touch of the great outdoors into your home with rustic shelves crafted from driftwood. Sustain My Craft Habit showcases how you can repurpose salvaged driftwood to create unique and nature-inspired shelving. Cut the driftwood to size, sand it for a smooth finish, and seal it with wax before hanging it on shelf brackets for a rustic and coastal-inspired look.
25. DIY Pipe Shelf by The Design Twins
Embrace an industrial aesthetic with DIY shelves made from black industrial pipes and stained pine boards. The Design Twins present a large custom shelving unit that adds a touch of rugged charm to your decor. If you love the industrial look, this DIY project offers a budget-friendly way to incorporate pipe shelves into your home design.
26. DIY Bathroom Shelves by A Piece of Rainbow
Upgrade your bathroom with natural wood shelves that replace a dated medicine cabinet for a fresh and modern look. A Piece of Rainbow showcases a DIY wood shelving project that adds warmth and character to your bathroom decor. Create a stylish niche above the sink with these simple yet elegant shelves that enhance both form and function in your bathroom space.
27. DIY Acrylic Wall Shelves by Home Made By Carmona
Achieve a modern and sleek look with DIY acrylic wall shelves that exude contemporary elegance. Ursula Carmona from Home Made By Carmona demonstrates how you can transform white laminate shelves into chic storage solutions by adding acrylic sides. Elevate your decor with these stylish and transparent shelves that create a sophisticated display for your items.
28. Floating Baby Bookshelves by A Beautiful Mess
Create a whimsical and practical display for children’s books with floating baby bookshelves. A Beautiful Mess showcases how you can install simple white painted floating wood shelves on wallpapered walls to entice little readers. This easy DIY project adds a playful touch to a nursery, toddler room, or kids’ space, making reading more fun and accessible for young ones.
29. Vintage Wall Crate Shelves by Most Lovely Things
Repurpose vintage crates to add character and warmth to your home with custom wall shelving. Most Lovely Things demonstrates how you can hang vintage crates on a narrow wall to create a practical and charming display for cookbooks, spices, and more. Embrace a touch of nostalgia and vintage charm with these DIY crate shelves that infuse your space with cozy vibes.
30. Extra Long DIY Shelf by Liz Marie Blog
Maximize storage and display space with an extra-long DIY shelf perfect for organizing vintage finds and essentials. Liz Marie Blog showcases a DIY shelf project using marble cut to fit the space for a custom wall-to-wall look. Enhance the shelf’s functionality with a brass picture rail at the front that adds a decorative touch while ensuring items stay securely in place.
FAQ: DIY Shelves Explained
Is it less expensive to build your own shelves?
Yes, building your own shelves can be a cost-effective option, especially when using upcycled materials or simple tools that are readily available. By repurposing items like pallet wood or dresser drawers, you can create custom shelves at a fraction of the cost of store-bought options.
What can I use instead of wood for shelves?
Aside from wood, you can explore materials like MDF, plastic, metal, glass, and more to create shelves tailored to your preferences. Each material offers unique characteristics and aesthetics, so choose based on your desired look and functionality. Ensure to select appropriate hardware and fasteners suitable for the material you choose to build and hang your shelves securely.
Get inspired to create your own DIY shelves and add a touch of personality to your home decor. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a beginner DIY enthusiast, these creative shelving ideas offer endless possibilities for transforming your living space. Start your DIY journey today and watch as your walls come to life with stylish and functional shelves that reflect your unique style and creativity.
