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This shelf's whole structure comes from notched joinery rather than butt joints and screws — every horizontal shelf board gets a set of matching notches cut to interlock with the vertical dividers, so the grid assembles more like a puzzle than a typical screwed-together shelf. Mark and consistently track which edge you measured each notch from — fence pickets vary slightly in actual thickness from board to board, and a notch measured from the wrong reference edge on even one board throws off the whole grid's alignment.
Dry-fit the notched shelves into the vertical dividers before committing to glue, since interlocking notch joints can be snug enough to need a mallet or some sanding at tight spots to seat fully. Once everything seats correctly, mark the top and bottom shelf positions to match the notch-outs and attach with finish nails and glue.
The back is genuinely optional and, in the source build, done with more fence picket boards rather than a plywood panel — a cheaper and arguably better-looking choice for a piece built entirely from picket stock. The top gets trimmed to final size with a jigsaw as the last step, after the whole grid is assembled and square.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Cedar fence picket, dog-eared, 6 ft | 6 each |
| Brad nails, 1-1/4" | 60 each |
| Wood glue | 4 oz |
| Primer and paint, or stain and poly | 1 set |
Overall cost: $. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.
| Part | Qty | T × W × L |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical dividersCedar fence picket, dog-eared, 6 ft | 2 | 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 32 1/2" |
| Horizontal shelves, notchedCedar fence picket, dog-eared, 6 ft | 7 | 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 16" |
| SidesCedar fence picket, dog-eared, 6 ft | 2 | 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 36" |
| Back boardsCedar fence picket, dog-eared, 6 ftOptional; plywood may be substituted. | 7 | 1/2" × 5 1/2" × 17" |
Buy 5 boards at 8 ft.
5 boards
Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →
Cut the vertical dividers to length. Mark and clearly track which side you measure from for all subsequent cuts, since board thickness varies slightly between pickets.
Cut notches into five of the seven horizontal shelf boards, marking the same reference side on every board to keep the grid square and even.
With the vertical dividers' marked end down, slide the shelves into place, marked ends consistently to the same side. Use a mallet to seat tight notches or sand as needed.
Mark the top and bottom shelf positions to match the notch-outs from step 2, matching the reference side. Nail with 1-1/4" finish nails and glue.
Cut and attach the two side boards. Add the optional back boards, cutting each to fit.
Cut the top down to final size with a jigsaw. Sand all surfaces and apply primer and paint, or stain and poly.
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