You can build these contemporary, floating shelves for displaying collectibles, photos or books from lightweight, inexpensive hollow-core doors.
They're strong, too. No one would believe that they’re made from plain, old lightweight and inexpensive hollow-core doors.
You will need:
- Hollow-core door
- Masonry screws and plugs
- Circular or jigsaw
- Timber for cleat
- Drill
- Wood Chisel
- Hammer
- Brads
- Wood glue
- Spirit level
Here's how:
1. Trace the horizontal location for each shelf using a level as your guide. If you don’t have a string line, use a long straightedge and mark the wall with a pencil. Check your marks with the level.
2. Cut the door blank lengthwise after clamping a straightedge guide to the door. You need a smooth, straight cut.
3. Measure the space between the outer veneers of the door and cut cleats from your timber to this thickness.
4. Predrill holes where the shelf will be mounted to the wall and insert plugs. Hold the cleat to your line on the wall and mount to the wall with masonry screws. Each cleat must be straight as an arrow.
5. Cut away the corrugated cardboard cores at least 5 mm from the cut edge. Scrape away the glue carefully without gouging the wood surface.
6. Dry-fit the shelf to make sure the blank fits over the cleat. Check the backside of the shelf and scribe it to the wall if necessary. Use a block plane or sander to remove material from the back edge for a tight fit.
7. Apply glue to the top of the cleat and inside bottom edge of door blank. Slide the shelf over the wood cleat.
8. Nail the shelf to the cleat using a square as your guide. Start at the middle and work your way to each end. Use brad nails spaced 200 mm apart.
9. Build shorter shelves by cutting the shelf to length. Glue a filler block flush with the end and nail each side with small brad nails.
DIY Tips:
Paint the shelves before you install them. If you intend to paint the room, also do that before you install the shelves. Sand with 150-grit sandpaper before you paint.
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