Skip to content
Gifts & Small Projects

Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder

Step-by-step build — 8 steps. Also available as a print sheet.

  1. 1Cut Boards to Size

    • Cut your boards according to the cut list. You can easily modify the lengths and widths of your shelf by modifying these measurements. If you want a deeper shelf, use a 1x10 or 1x12 instead of a 1x8.
    • Also, for a longer shelf, cut your 1x2 and 1x8 longer than 44". Or a shorter shelf, obviously, trim your boards shorter than 44".
    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 5
  2. 2Drill Pocket Holes for Back

    You will drill all your pocket holes for this project in the main shelf ledge piece. This is the piece that will lay horizontally that you will set stuff on once it is hung. Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig, drill 3/4" pocket holes along one long edge of this piece like shown. Space these about 6" or so apart. This will be for attaching the back ledge later.

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 6
  3. 3Drill Pocket Holes for Sides

    Using a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig, drill 3/4" pocket holes along both short edges of this main shelf. This will be for attaching the shelf sides later.

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 7
  4. 4Attach Main Shelf to Back Ledge

    Using Kreg 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws, attach the main ledge to the 1x2 back ledge piece like shown. Make sure the back ledge is flush with the bottom of the main shelf ledge. So 3/4" of the board should stick out above the shelf.

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 8
  5. 5Attach Shelf Sides

    Using Kreg 1 1/4" Pocket Hole Screws to attach the shelf side pieces like shown. For a contemporary look, attach one going down and the other going up. You can also attach both at the top or both at the bottom. It's personal preference.

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 9
  6. 6Mark Wall Studs

    To hang this on the wall, you will need to screw it into the studs through the back ledge. First, though, you will need to measure and mark your studs. Using a stud finder can save you from accidentally drilling a million holes in your wall.

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 10
  7. 7Attach Shelf to Wall

    Using 2 1/2" screws, screw through the back ledge and into the wall studs in at least two places. Make sure your shelf is level!

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 11
  8. 8Decorate

    With Christmas coming, you will need a place for your stockings. For those without a fireplace, this might require some creativity. In our new small house, we don't have room for a lot of "stuff," but we do have room on the wall to hang and place decor. This is the perfect place to hang out stockings and set out my modern Christmas village (like to tutorial in extras tab) right next to where we will put the tree. It's a simple, modern design that works even after the holidays are over :)

    Modern Wall Shelf Stocking Holder — step photo 12