DIY Floating Box Shelves

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Remember a few months ago when I made the living wall with pallet wood in the guest bath?

You can see the post HERE

Well, sad to say the succulents didn’t make it.

I don’t think they got enough light

Or maybe not enough water

Or maybe any plant that comes into my house

Is just destined to die (Read about how I can’t keep plants alive HERE)

But, truth??

What I originally wanted on that wall

Were floating shelves.

But we thought there was going to be an issue with mounting them to the wall.

And I had just read about how living walls were all the rage

So I got it in my head

That that’s what I should do in there

So everyone would think that I’m so with-it and on-trend.

Too bad for the poor plants, right?

I bet they wished I’d done the shelves instead of the living wall….

So we took down all the succulents (may they rest in peace)

And the planters

And the pallet wood

And we replaced them with these

Floating box shelves

One of the really great things about these floating box shelves

Is that the tops open up

And you have extra storage inside!

So here’s how we made them:

We used some of the old weathered pine

We’ve had since 1988 when we lived in Northern California (you can read the story about that HERE)

But don’t worry — if you don’t have authentic old weathered wood — there’s a stain you can use that will weather it.

Basically you’re going to make a box that’s 24 long, 7 1/2 deep, and 4 high

Cut a front and a back piece that’s 24 long by 4 high

Cut a top and bottom that are 24 x 7/12 minus 2 thicknesses of your wood all the way around (the tops, bottoms and sides will be nailed inside these pieces)

This is how it will fit together.

Next cut 2 sides 7 1/2 x 4 minus 2 thicknesses of your wood all the way around.

Nail the front of the box to the bottom and sides.

Then nail the back on.

Cut 2 pieces of wood to go inside the ends that are just shorter than the thickness of the top and nail them to the sides.

This is what will support the top of the shelf.

If you used weathered wood, you’re going to want to stain the raw edges with ‘weathered wood accelerator’ stain so it blends with the rest of the shelf.

If you didn’t use weathered wood but you want that look, stain the whole piece with accelerator stain. Let it dry over night.

Apply a coat of clear finishing wax for a subtle low luster finish

Screw the back of the box to studs in your wall making sure it’s level.

NOTE: Our box shelves were very light because we used old dried wood and I don’t put anything heavy in or on top of them. But if your box shelves are made with heavier wood, you should mount them to the wall using a floating shelf bracket system that will give them more support and keep them from falling off of the wall.

Place the lid on your box shelf and you’re done.

Just remove the top for access to storage inside.

If you’re going to use these for storage, it’s a good idea to screw a small screw or knob into the top at the very back so you can lift the top board off easily.

I like the shelves much better than the plant wall. They’re definitely more practical than the plants — who couldn’t use a little more storage in the bath right??