Discover these simple dowel floating wall shelves for both style and storage. Follow this guide to build yours.
Building DIY Floating Shelves with a Board and Dowels
Several months ago, we transformed one of our townhouse bedroom spaces into my husband’s office.
During the swift renovation, we faced a large, bare wall and needed an idea for it.
The Idea Source
Like any decorating puzzle, I explored Pinterest, creating an “Office” board to save favorite concepts. This image inspired our choice of long floating wall shelves:
Source
We admired how the shelves spanned nearly the entire wall length, visually expanding the room. The floating design also lent a modern, sleek appearance.
Obstacles Encountered
When considering the long floating shelf design, we identified 3 hurdles:
- Budget – We aimed for an inexpensive solution.
- Time – We desired a fast and effortless build.
- Tool Access – While we possess basic power tools, we lack access to a workshop with a planer and table saw, necessitating solutions from local lumber supply stores.
Our Strategy
As my husband reviewed various “How to Make Floating Shelves” guides, he found one highly suitable. Instead of the standard method involving an outer wood “box” frame, this approach only needed a board and dowels.
He believed it would be much easier and faster—and it proved ideal for our space and circumstances.
Materials for Floating Wall Shelves
(This supply list covers 2 floating shelves, each 10 feet long.)
- 2- 2×8-10 foot long boards (These measure 1-1/2 inches thick by 7-1/4 inches deep) (Be diligent about where you purchase and the wood type; one quote was $75 per board, but we bought them for $15 each.)
- 6 feet of 1/2 inch doweling
- wood glue
- drill
- 1/2 inch drill bit
- sandpaper
- paint color of choice
Making Floating Shelves with a Board and Dowels
Request the lumber store to cut each board to 1 1/2 inches.
Remember to use bungy cord to secure your car trunk when bringing them home!
Securely clamp the narrower section of the board onto the wider part so they present as a single piece. Trim both ends to the precise required length.
Cut the dowels into 4 inch segments; we ended up with 18 in total.
Insert each dowel into the end of your drill. Then, using a sanding sponge, apply firm pressure to each dowel while operating the drill. As the dowel rotates, it will undergo slight sanding. Repeat this process for every dowel.
Mark your drill bit at 4 inches to precisely gauge the drilling depth. Drill slightly beyond the actual dowel length.
Firmly clamp the board, including the ripped section, to keep both ends flush. Drill holes for the dowels starting at each edge and spacing them evenly across the board's span.
Release the board sections. Apply adhesive to the end of the thickest part of the dowel and tap it into the thin board hole until it sits level.
Allow the adhesive ample time to cure.
Installation Guide for Floating Wall Shelves
Locate wall studs using a stud finder and make corresponding pilot holes in the narrow board section.
Fasten the dowel backing boards to the wall using 3 inch wood screws.
After firmly attaching the slim strips to the wall, position the shelf onto the dowels, ensuring all holes align; if needed, gently tap it onto the dowels using a rubber mallet.
This textured image is a capture from an Instagram story we shared live, viewed from beneath the shelf.
We applied a semi-gloss finish to the floating shelves using the same shade as the walls, Simply White by Benjamin Moore.
These shelves perfectly complement my husband's office; they offer useful storage for his books while also displaying art and cherished keepsakes.
For alternative farmhouse style shelving ideas, check out these articles:
- Discover 8 various DIY shelves</a projects that take just a few hours to complete.
- Guide to Creating Fixer Upper Style Farmhouse Shelves
- Instructions for Making Turnbuckle Shelves
- DIY Rustic Shelf with Hooks (ideal for compact areas)
