Easy DIY Floating Shelf

In this project I'll show you step by step how to make this very easy DIY hanging shelf (since people aren't happy to call this a floating shelf) with basic tools and minimal woodworking knowledge or skill and it can be done in one day. With the added turnbuckles as reinforcement, this shelf is super strong and looks great. This is a perfect project for woodworking beginners and DIY creators. Hope you enjoy!

*Be sure to check out the full build video*

Includes affiliate links

■ Turnbuckle (Amazon)

■ D-ring (Amazon)

■ Stud Finder (Amazon)

■ Drill Bit (Amazon)

■ Floating Shelf Bracket (Amazon)

■ Drillblock (Amazon)

■ Planer (Amazon)

■ Impact Driver (Amazon)

■ Amana Saw Blade (Amazon)

For this project we'll use a piece of 2x12 construction grade pine. We'll use a crosscut sled to cut the piece to length. And if you have a planer, feel free to run it through it a few times, flipping it over after each pass to clean up the surfaces. And then rip the edges off to get rid of the rounded corners.If you don't have a planer, you can also use a random orbital sander. The board doesn't need to be perfectly flat for this project.

We'll use these floating shelf brackets to mount the shelf to the wall. First, we'll use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall. Mount one of the brackets first. Then use a level to place the second bracket.

Place the shelf on top of the brackets to mark the locations for where to drill the holes, and transfer that mark on to the back edge of the shelf. Mark the centerline along the edge of the board. Finally, clamp a drill guide to the back edge, line up the layout marks with the guidelines on the jig, and use a 12" long 1/2" diameter drill bit to drill the holes for the shelf brackets to go into.

In order to completely hide the steel brackets, we'll also need to use a router and an edge guide to cut a recess along the back edge for the bracket plate to sit into.

Now it's time to prep for mounting the hardware we need for the turnbuckles. For the walls, we'll use D-rings. But on the shelf side, we'll use U-bolts. So start by laying out the holes for the U-bolts. Drill through the top. Then use a Forstner bit to drill larger holes on the bottom side for the nuts to sit into.

Once all the holes are drilled, I sanded the board up to 180 grit. And then applied a couple coats of stain, and finish. Then sprayed all the hardware black.

Finally, just slide the shelf into the brackets. Then slip the eye of the turnbuckle into the U-bolt, and then mount the U-bolt to the shelf. Find the placement for the D-ring, and screw it into the wall. Finally, hook the other end of the turnbuckle into the D-ring and tighten both sides to finish the build!