We had an empty wall in the corner or our bedroom so I decided to build a DIY floating shelf for a plant. Instead of just having a picture frame on the wall we wanted to have a small live plant. I made an opening on top of the shelf so that the pot sits lower and it looks like the plant is growing from the shelf.
For more information/photos on this DIY Floating Shelf and to download printable PDFs visit TheDIYPlan.
Preparation
Material List
• 2x3x8' (x1)
• 20 3/4" x 22 3/4" - 1/2" Plywood (x1)
• 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws
• 2 1/2" Wood Screws
• Wood Glue
• Brad Nails
Tools for this project
• Drill
• Kreg Jig
• Miter Saw
• Tape Measure
• Nail Gun
• Sander
• Table Saw
• Stud Finder
Instructions
Step 1
Cut Boards for Frame
First start by building a frame for the shelf. Take 2x3 board and cut it to 18 1/2" in length. Also, cut two boards that are 7” in length.
Step 2
Drill Pocket Holes
To hold the frame together use Kreg Jig to drill pocket holes. Both of the 7” long pieces will have two pocket holes for 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws.
Step 3
Attach Frame Together
Attach the 7” pieces to the 18 1/2" long board using 2 1/2" Pocket Hole Screws.
Step 4
Cut Plywood for Shelf
Using ½” plywood, cut the plywood to provided dimensions on the drawing
Step 5
Attach Bottom, Front and Sides
Take the bottom piece and the front piece and attach them together using Wood Glue and Brad Nails with a Nail Gun. Then attach the side pieces with Wood Glue and Nail Gun.
Step 6
Cut Opening on Top of Shelf
For the top piece, measure 5” from the back and 5” from the side. This will be the center of a 6” hole. Draw a circle using a compass. Drill a small hole on the inside of the circle so that you could insert a jig saw blade. Cut the hole following the line of the circle with a jig saw.
Step 7
Assemble the Top Piece
Now attach the top piece to the rest of the shelf
Step 8
Paint and Stain
I used coffee bean stain for the first layer, then lightly brushed white paint over the stain for the second layer.
Step 9
Attach Frame to Wall
Use a Stud Finder to locate the studs inside the wall. Attach the frame to the wall. Make sure the screws are hitting the studs not just sheet rock. This is a small shelf so most likely it will not span two studs. But having two screws in one stud should be strong enough to support the shelf.
Step 10
Slide Shelf Over the Frame
Insert the pan inside the shelf for the plant, then slide the shelf over the frame on the wall. Place the pot inside the shelf hole. You’re done with the this DIY Floating Shelf for the Plant.
