Hi friends,
Slowly but surely my kitchen is coming together! Last week I concreted my countertops, this past weekend I added my floating shelves, and this next week will be full of putting up new tile and painting. Lots and lots of painting.
I knew I wanted floating shelves for a long, long while. My kitchen is teeny tiny and I knew it would really help open up the space and make it appear larger.
Inspired by Shanty 2 Chic’s Easy DIY Floating Shelves, I decided to use that as a base but put my own spin on it.
In the house that I rented before I purchased mine, there was zero storage in the living room. I bought these shelves from IKEA and flanked them on both sides of my entertainment center. But when I moved into my house, I had built-ins! Which was awesome, but now I had these shelves and nothing to use them for. So they sat in my dining room for the better part of a year, awaiting their purpose.
Fast forward to now, when I realized I can use them to make floating shelves!
Supply List (makes 4 shelves)
- 1″ x 2″ x 8′ pine (2x)
- 1″ x 4″ x 8′ pine (2x)
- EKBY JÄRPEN shelf (4x)
- Minwax Wood Stain, Jacobean
- Kreg Jig (totally, 100% worth the investment)
- Drill
- Brad Nailer
- 1 1/4″ brad nails, 18 gauge (1 pack)
- 2″ brad nails, 18 gauge (1 pack)
- 1 1/4″ screws
(16x)
The first thing I did was cut the 1″ x 2″ down to the sizes I needed. The back was 21 1/2″ and the sides were 10″. I connected them using the Kreg Jig pocket hole system and, let me just say, this little tool is the bomb dot comb. Seriously so happy I purchased this. Thank you 4 am infomercial!
After I connected them with the Kreg and screws, I reinforced them with three to 5 1 1/4″brad nails. Like the Kreg Jig, this tool is also totally worth the investment. No cords. No compressors. Super easy.
Next I took my piece of 1″ x 4″ and cut it into the size I needed. The sides were 11″ and the front was 23 1/2″. I then stained them with Minwax’s Jacobean with a sponge brush.
Taking one of the 11″ side pieces, attach it to the side support, center to center, with 1 1/4″ brad nails. Repeat on other side.
I cut the EKBY JÄRPEN shelf into two 21 1/2″ pieces; one for the top and one for the bottom. I attached the top to the sides using 1 1/4″ brad nails. DO NOT attach the bottom yet!
Measure out on the wall where your shelf will be and, making sure it’s level, attach to the wall with 2″ brad nails. I’m not gonna lie, I went to town with these nails. I wanted to be 150% sure that they were not going to come tumbling down.
Now to attach the bottom. If your floating shelves aren’t going to be cased in with a wall on one side, you can attach them like you did the top. I, however, am not that lucky. Using 2″ brad nails I shot through the bottom and caught it onto the support sides.
Using your 1 1/4″ brad nails, attach the front and last piece.
The last thing to do is to accessorize! I’ll get fancier when the kitchen is complete, but you get the general idea. ;)
Have you guys done any of Shanty 2 Chic‘s projects? Those are two super awesome ladies. I cannot WAIT for their HGTV show!
I’m linking up to these great parties!
I totally LOVE this idea! So neat!
Thanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Jess recently posted…Link Up #83
Thanks so much, Jess!
XO, Chelc
Love these floating shelves. I moved in to a new place and have dreams of having some nice chunky floating shelves in my living room area. These looks so easy and adorable!
Felicita Moncada recently posted…IKEA KRITTER Kids Table Makeover
It was so, surprisingly easy, Felicita! I want to make more! ;)
XO, Chelc
It looks amazing – great job! I’m visiting from Wonderful Wednesday Linky.
Thanks
Angie
Angie recently posted…Welcome! Wake Up Wednesday Linky #69
Thanks so much for stopping by, Angie!
XO, Chelc
I’ve been looking forward to add some chunky floating shelves in our kitchen re-do-and I absolutely LOVE yours! Thank you so much for sharing at The Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!
CD Loken recently posted…Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop # 124
Thank you so much! I love being able to display the prettier items.
XO, Chelc
Love it! I’d love it if you shared this on Worthwhile Wednesdays.
~Allie http://www.craftyallieblog.com
It looks fantastic! Love this idea.
Thank you so much, Veronica!
XO, Chelc
I love the idea of adding some floating shelves for kitchen organization! Especially for these items that are too pretty to hide in a cabinet, Thanks for sharing this idea with Hump Day Happenings!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast recently posted…7 Patio Essentials for Outdoor Entertaining
Yes, that’s exactly why I did it, Jenna! Pretty things should never be hidden. :)
XO, Chelc
Great idea! I’m impressed at how handy you are! I have a lot to learn . . . Thank you so much for sharing this project with us at the Inspire Me Mondays Link-Up!
Bridget – The Recipe Wench recently posted…Pan Fried Tilapia
Awe, thank you so much Bridget!
XO, Chelc
Hello beautiful! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7pm because we love to party with you! Happy Memorial Day! Lou Lou Girls
Thank you, ladies!
XO, Chelc
Those look beautiful! You did a great job! How simple yet elegant looking.
I found your post at Inspire Me Monday.
Brandi Clevinger recently posted…Small Victories Sunday Linkup – 51
Thank you so much, Brandi! Glad you stopped over!
XO, Chelc
What a great tutorial! I love repurposing! Thanks for sharing at Get Your Shine On. We are so excited to feature this post at this Thursdays party!
Brittany recently posted…Make a Memorable Summer Bucket List
Oh wow, thank you so much, Brittany! I can’t wait to link up again!
XO, Chelc
Looks great! Love your accessories, too!
Julie @ Life of Bliss recently posted…Grant’s Graduation Party
Thank you so much, Julie!
XO, Chelc
I’ve got a place where I’ve been thinking about putting shelving and this is such great inspiration! Love how your version turned out! Thanks for sharing on Best of the Nest!
Kris {Driven by Decor} recently posted…Favorite Projects: May’s Best of the Nest
Thanks so much, Kris! It has really opened up my kitchen!
Xo, Chelc
I love floating shelves especially in a kitchen where you can display fun stuff like your mason jar cups! And great job on the countertops as well! Thanks for linking up with DIY Summer School!
Beth of designPOST interiors recently posted…DIY Summer School || IKEA hack
Thank you so much, Beth! I love that I can now display fun and pretty things. :)
XO, Chelc