Shelves are your prime fixtures for holding objects such as books, action figures, figurines and small furniture. These structures are either stuck to the wall or built as large cabinets. Most households have more than one shelf, given the number of items that it can carry. You should build your own shelf and see how the container makes arranging and locating stuff more convenient.
Types of Shelves
Shelves are constructed using a variety of materials. You can use traditional items such as wood panels and glass sheets to create formal-looking structures. If you want to create something wacky or artsy, use unconventional materials such as skateboards or thick books. Here are your options:
wooden utility shelf
glass shelf
skateboard shelf
invisible shelf
If you’ve noticed, metal and plastic shelves are not included in the list. The reason for this is, the assembly of metal and plastic shelves require melting and molding, which are achieved through the industrial machinery found in production plants. Regular people seldomly have the means to create such fixtures on their own. They are better off purchased than constructed.
Wooden Utility Shelf
The wooden utility shelf is a sturdy cabinet used for multipurpose storage. It carries heavy items such as thick books, food condiments, and furniture. The useful structure can be built in your kitchen, the garage, the living room, or even in the attic. Among all the shelves, the wooden utility shelf is probably the most versatile.
Materials Used:
wooden shelving package (2 x 25 x 6 inches)
measuring tape
pencil
handsaw
sandpaper
putty
hammer
nails
wood glue
loop hangers
paint/varnish
Procedure:
Purchase the wooden shelving package and the rest of the materials from a hardware store.
From the bottom, measure 20 inches of the piece’s length. Mark that point with your pencil.
Saw the excess portion (five inches).
Draw a diagonal line spanning the excess portion. Saw the diagonal line. The two resulting pieces will be your shelf’s bracket.
Nail the package’s planks together to form the shelf’s rectangular base.
Apply putty around the area of the nails.
Position the brackets beneath the shelf then glue them at the bottom of the base.
When the glue dries, sandpaper the shelf, then apply paint or vanish.
When the paint/varnish dries, nail the shelf to the wall.
The wooden utility shelf’s size is 20 x 6 x 2 inches. If you find the shelf too small, you can purchase a larger shelving package. The brackets are merely glued to the base, which makes them easy to remove. You can also create a large upright cabinet by combining several utility shelves until you erect an eight to ten-foot structure.
Glass Shelf
Glass shelves, aside from objects, are also decorative. The gleaming appearance of a frosted or a patterned glass sheet enhances the aesthetic value of any room, as well as the items that the shelf carries. Glass is not as durable as wood, which is why glass shelves are rarely used as storage cabinets. They are usually small shelves that are nailed to the wall.
Materials Used:
glass sheet
2 L brackets
power drill
screws
hammer
nails
Procedure:
Purchase the glass sheet and the L brackets from a hardware or a glassware store. The glass’ size depends on how large you want your shelf to be.
Position the brackets a few inches from the ends of the glass sheet.
Drill through the holes of the brackets.
Screw the brackets to the glass sheet.
Position the shelf on your wall and drive nails through the holes of the brackets.
Glass shelves are easy to assemble and install. Use it to carry books, action figures, and other small items. These shelves are perfect for bedrooms and study rooms, given their style and usage.
Skateboard Shelf
For extreme gamers who want shelves that can match their edgy lifestyles, the skateboard shelf is simply too cool to pass up. A skateboard is affixed to the wall and made to carry fairly heavy items. Since the skateboard shelf is sturdier than glass shelves, it can store more items, though its style limits it only to the rooms of youngsters or extreme sports enthusiasts.
The skateboard shelf is assembled and installed like the glass shelf. You have to attach the board to a couple of L brackets, then nail the brackets to the wall. Of course, you won’t be using brand new skateboards. Just use damaged or old boards for the shelf.
Invisible Shelf
The invisible shelf, at first glance, appears like a floating stack of books in your room. Upon close inspection, you will realize that the bottom book is actually connected to a large well-concealed L bracket. The optical illusion makes this shelf one of the favorites of youngsters and young adults. Try installing the invisible shelf and see how many people you can fool with its “magical” feature.
Materials Used:
hardbound book (at least 2 inches thick)
large L bracket
glue
power drill
screwdriver
screws
pencil
measuring tape
stack of books
Procedure:
Turn the book over, where the back page is facing up.
Open the back cover, then position the L bracket at the middle portion.
Measure the distance of the bracket to the left and right ends of the book. Mark the midpoints of each side with your pencil.
Drill holes through the midpoints then attach screws.
Drill through the holes provided by the L bracket. Screw the bracket to the book.
Glue the back cover to the back page to conceal the L bracket.
When the glue dries, position the shelf on the wall.
Drill through the holes on the bracket.
Screw the shelf on the wall.
Place the stack of books on top of the shelf to create the “invisible” effect.
The invisible shelf is normally used for books but you can also use it carry collectibles and some of other small items in your desk. Make sure that the L bracket is always hidden, so that the shelf’s “wow” factor will remain intact.
Shelves are some of the most efficient items for storage. Not only do they carry objects, but they can also appear as ornamental fixtures. Build several shelves for your home and notice how those amazing cabinets stack your accessories with style.