GALLERY · SHELF

Floating shelf

Beginner
Floating shelf: the GrainDraft model, seen from the front and one side.
The GrainDraft model, not a photograph of a finished piece.

A small shelf unit made from a single material: half-inch plywood. Two tall sides, a top and a bottom meet at the corners in box joints, and three shelves sit in dadoes cut into the sides. That leaves a shallow slot at the top, another at the bottom, and two taller openings between them. The model does not include a way to hang it, so plan the mounting for your own wall.

It is a good first project because every part is a plain rectangle and there are only two kinds of joint to learn. Open it to see how the shelves are housed in the sides, then change the case width, height or depth to suit your wall.

Plywood sold as half-inch is often a little thinner, so measure your sheet and set the panel thickness to match before you cut.

Open in GrainDraft

GrainDraft is meant for a computer or tablet. Open it here, or send yourself this page and open the project on a computer.

Download the .graindraft file

Opening asks first and saves the project you have open to your Project shelf. The copy you open is yours to change; this listing stays as it is.

Check the dimensions before cutting anything — you did not make this project.

FACTS

What is in the model

Measured by GrainDraft
Overall size19 × 7 × 28 in width × depth × height
Parts7
Board feet3.63
WoodPlywood ½"
Joints usedDado, Box joint
Estimated lumber cost$7.99 an estimate at GrainDraft's default prices; your lumberyard will differ

Shared under CC BY 4.0. You may build it, change it and share it, including commercially, as long as you give credit. Suggested credit: “Floating shelf” by GrainDraft, GrainDraft gallery, graindraft.com/gallery/floating-shelf/. Offered as it is, with no promise that it suits your wood, tools or use: see the gallery terms.

GALLERY

More projects

All gallery projects →