Read the sequence from the top before cutting, painting, or moving pieces.
Do you love the look of floating shelves, but need a cheaper and easier option? Try this Ikea method for turning an direct floating shelf into a Pottery Barn-Inspired showcase wooden ledge shelf!
Can I Customize a Floating Shelf?
Hey there! Corey here, and I have a good walkthrough for you today. Do you remember last month when we learned how to make this media center? Well, today I am going to show you how to make that adorable floating shelf!
Not only is it vivid, and a well fitted match to my console, it is also a low-cost Ikea method!
No doubt you have seen these “Lack” shelves available at Ikea? They are fairly inexpensive and they come with all the hardware for installation. So if you are a newbie DIYer or simply feeling lazy, this is the project for you!
So let’s get started!
IKEA method: Floating Lack Wall Shelf into Pottery Barn Picture Ledge
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What supplies would I need to build this shelf?
Materials Used:
- 1×4″ boards
- Stain
- Sandpaper
- Nails
- Wood Glue
- Ikea Lack Shelf
Tools Suggested:
- Sander (Optional)
- Nail Gun (or hammer)
- Miter Saw
We are going to tackle this project the same way we did the Media Center. We will essentially be hiding the laminate finish.
What Type of Wood is Used for this Floating Shelf method?
Using strips of 1×4″, I measured the length and sides of the shelf and cut accordingly, cutting the corners on 45 degree angles.
The 45 degree angles will create a nice finished mitered corner like this:
Once everything is cut, it is ready to be sanded.
Now that the 1×4 surfaces are smooth, apply stain. I applied to both sides of the boards. I used Minwax Jacobean Stain, provided by the great people over at Minwax.
How is the Shelf Assembled?
After the stain dried, I applied a small amount of glue to the surface the area that would be applied to the laminate shelf.
For added durability, I also tacked my boards in place with a nail gun. Simply attach the 1×4″ so that the top of the board is flush with the laminate shelf.
There is an inch or two that overhangs on the bottom (I did this intentionally because I wanted to beef up the appearance of the existing shelf).
How Do You Attach Floating Shelves to the Wall?
To install, just follow the instructions that came with the Ikea shelf. They are fairly direct to follow. Once the hardware is attached to the wall, you just slide the shelf into place!
Ta da! vivid.
Look at how pretty those mitered corners are. I would count this shelf as a vast success. I will take the look of Pottery Barn floating shelves for the cost of Ikea any day!
How much weight can a floating shelf hold?
While there is no exact number, if you’ve installed your bracket into studs, your shelf should hold lots of items.
Now all that is left to do is stage your shelf and you are all set! If you would like to see how I decorated my shelf, you can read a walkthrough on it here.
There is no reason this same basic principle cannot be applied to any number of projects. So take a look around your house, do you maybe have something similar adorning your walls?
Take luck,
Corey
Be sure to Pin this option for later!
Love Ikea Hacks? Also look at this Ikea method Rustic Bookshelf, this Ikea method Closet Organization, and this Ikea method Entry Console with Organizing Tips!
look at these 25 great Handmade shelves!
