Modern Floating Shelf

Happy Weekend!!!

Are you tackling any projects this weekend?  Here's a project that I made last weekend -

A floating shelf for over the TV!  I got tired of looking at the blank void begging to be decorated over the TV and decided to make a shelf over the TV.

I decided on a floating shelf because of the modern lines in the media cabinet (I promsie I'll get you those plans real soon) and the modern vibe of this living room.

That, and I wanted to make a secret storage spot (that's now not so secret as of seven words ago).  

I built this shelf out of a 24" x 48" 1/4" thick project panel (MDF is about $6) and 2 - 1x3 boards (about $1.50 each) - so with a couple of screws and nails, about $10 to make.  Here's how I built this floating shelf -

I cut all my 1x3 boards (see cut list in plan below)

Then I drilled 3/4" pocket holes on one end of all the shorter 1x3 boards.  I recommend pocket holes for this joint because it is the main structure for this shelf.  You can use any Kreg Jig for this.

Then I attached the shorter 1x3s to one of the longer 1x3s.  TIP: On the outsides, place pocket holes on outsides - it's stronger this way.

The reason I didn't do pocket holes on both sides is because you won't be able to fit a standard drill in there to add the screws.  So on the second side, just attach with 1-1/4" or longer finish nails and glue.

Now attach plywood to one side of the shelf, with glue and 1" long finish nails.  DO NOT attach the second side just yet.

Measure the thickness of the completed shelf (with one side nailed on and one side clamped on).  Cut with a table saw or circular saw (use a guide or Kreg Rip Cut here) two strips of 1/4" thick plywood to this width (for me this ended up being 2-3/4")

Nail the plywood strips around the sides and front.  Notice the 1/4" overhang on the bottom in this photo - that's for placing the top plywood on after we attach it to the wall.

Now it's time to finish this baby!

A little wood filler in those nail holes ..

Followed by quite a bit of sanding.  For modern furniture, that clean crisp sharp edge is a must, so roll up your sleeves and put in the elbow grease here.

Then I painted the shelf and the remaining plywood piece seperately using a semi-gloss paint.

After it dried, time to hang!

We found and marked the wall studs,

Drilled directly through the back inside of the shelf into the wall studs.  Make sure you attach the shelf so the pocket hole joint is screwed to the wall.

After a quick adjustment for level -

We added more screws to more studs in the wall.  Do two screws per stud, stacked vertically.

No need to attach the top plywood piece - just set it in place.

Perfect!  And if you ever wanted to hide something - that might just be the place!  Or if you want to know where I hid something, it's probably there.

I stole a few pictures from my gallery wall (small frame plans here and large frame video tutorial here) to finish this modern floating shelf over my tv off.

Hope you love it as much as we do!

Of course the plans follow (click READ MORE below if this is the home page).  If you build, please share - we can't wait to see how yours turns out too!

Have a awesome weekend!

XO Ana