NotchLoading plan…
Loading plan…
This is about as simple as a wall shelf gets: a 1x8 top, a 1x4 back, and two short 1x6 end pieces, in whatever length you want the shelf to be. The measurements below use a 24" shelf as a worked example — swap in your own desired length everywhere "24"" appears, and cut the back board 5-1/2" shorter than the top to leave room for the end pieces.
Hang it by screwing straight through the back 1x4 into wall studs rather than relying on anchors alone — a shelf is only as strong as what it's actually fastened to, and studs are what carry real weight over time.
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| 1x8 board, 24" (or your desired shelf length) | 1 each |
| 1x4 board, 18-1/2" (your desired shelf length minus 5-1/2") | 1 each |
| 1x6 board, 12" | 1 each |
| Pocket-hole screws, countersunk screws, or finish nails | 10 each |
| Wood glue | 1 oz |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Top1x8Cut to your own desired shelf length. | 1 | 3/4" × 7 1/4" × 24" |
| Back1x4Your desired shelf length minus 5-1/2". | 1 | 3/4" × 3 1/2" × 18 1/2" |
| Sides1x6Cut from a single 12" 1x6. | 2 | 3/4" × 5 1/2" × 6" |
Buy 3 boards at 8 ft.
1 board
1 board
1 board
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 →
Attach the back board to the two side pieces. If you're using a pocket-hole jig, also drill pocket holes facing upward on this assembly now, for attaching the top in the next step.
Attach the top to the sides and back. When you hang the shelf, screw directly through the back 1x4 into the studs in your wall, checking with a level as you go.
No reviews yet
Sign in to review this plan or share your build.
No reviews yet. Be the first to build this.