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How to Build a Corner Shelf Follow 8 Simple Steps

You can build a corner shelf at the corner wall of your room to use the space efficiently. Buying corner frames can be quite costly. If you know how to build a corner shelf at home, you can save a few bucks and also have a learning experience. Below, I’ve provided a step by step guide which will help you to make a corner shelf on your own.

how to build a corner shelf

How to Build a Corner Shelf

Step 1: Gather the necessary tools and supplies

You will need a few tools to make a corner shelf. If you work with wooden projects regularly, you probably have these tools in your home already. To make wall shelves, you will need a few pieces of wood. Then you will need nails, brackets to attach the frames and the wood pieces on the wall.

The nails should be of good quality because these will hold the floating shelves you will make. Then, you will need a circular saw and miter to cut the wood pieces. Also, don’t forget to wear gloves and goggles before working with the circular saw and miter.

Step 2: Measure the length of the walls

You will need a tape measure to measure the walls where you want to build the corner shelf. If you are planning to make triangle shelves, then make sure that the length is the same on both sides. The measurement depends on you. You can build a shelf that is around 12 inches in length sidewise.

Step 3: Cut two pieces of wood

You will need to purchase a miter saw if you don’t have one to cut the board. Keep the length of the board of around 3 inches and the width of the board of around 1 inch. When you cut the board, make sure the angle is 45 degrees. After cutting one board, you will need to mark a spot at 25 inches below the board. Make another 45 degrees angled cut on the spot. It is the base of your corner shelf. Always wear goggles before working with the miter saw and wood.

Step 4: Mark and cut two pieces of plywood for a triangle shelf

For this step, you will need a piece of plywood. Lay one piece of plywood on a surface and lay the piece of wood you cut earlier. Place the piece of wood diagonally so that it touches the corners of the plywood. Now, take a pencil and draw a straight line by touching wood. It will divide the plywood into two sections. If you want a bigger surface for the down shelf, you can cut bigger plywood.

You will need to repeat this step on bigger sized plywood. If the base shelf is larger than the others, it will be easier for you to hang the corner shelf on the wall and will look nice as well. Don’t forget to use a circular saw to cut the plywoods. The purpose of making triangle sized wood is that the shelf will be on a 90-degree angle.

Step 5: Make the frames of the corner shelf

After you are done cutting the piece of plywood, lay it on another piece of wood. Outline the shape of the triangle wood with a pencil. You will need to make the frame of your corner shelf. Cut the wood that you have outlined earlier in a 45 degrees angle. Now, take the two boards and line up so that they look like the frame of your corner shelf.

The next thing you will need to do is to place the plywood triangle you made earlier to lay on to the frame. If the frame has an extra part, cut it with a circular saw. It is time to cut the last piece of the frame. You will need to cut the frame by keeping an extra ¾ part of the previous frames.

Step 6: Assemble the three pieces of frames

After you are done cutting the frames, it is time to assemble them together. For assembling, you will need a few nails to drive into the frames. As you have cut the frames with 45 degrees angle, each corner should be fitted perfectly. Use two nails at each corner. Now, you will need the piece of wood you cut the first time. You will need to place it on the front side of your corner shelf. You can also use shelf brackets if you want.

Step 7: Paint the corner shelf

Before installing the corner shelf on the wall, you will need to paint the frame. You can choose a wood color to apply an extra coat, or you can pick up a color that complements your walls. If you are planning to place a flower vase with water on your corner shelf, you better seal it. Because if anything liquid spills on the shelf, it will ruin the wood. Once you are done painting, it is time to install the frame on your wall.

Step 8: Install the frame on the wall

Use nails to screw the frame on the wall. You will need a few nails so that they can hold the weight of the frame. In the presence of any stud, you can place the nail over the studs. Now, it is time to place the pieces of plywood. Take one piece of plywood that you have cut earlier and installed it on the frame.

Make sure to take the bigger one for the upper part of the shelf. If you need only one shelf, you will not need to do anything else. If you are planning to make a few shelves, go through the same process and make a few more.

These are the steps you will need to follow if you want to build a corner shelf at your home. The trick is to make the measurements accurate and cut the pieces of wood based on the measurement.

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