How to Easily Create and Mount a Display Shelf

If you would like to display select items in your home and are looking for just the right spot to do so, creating a display shelf to put anywhere in your home is fairly simple to do and very inexpensive. The great thing about them is you can create them to express your individuality and make them to fit any space. For example, you can make a small shelf for the bathroom, a large shelf for a great room, a tiered shelf for a fancier look, or a shelf the length of your fireplace to create a mantle piece. A good rule of thumb to remember is that when purchasing your paint for this job, you want to choose colors that will complement or be a stark contrast to (if that is your desired affect) the existing colors in the room.

To get started, you will need to gather your supplies. Be sure to take accurate measurements for the shelf size you will be creating prior to making any purchases. For this project you will need the following:

Safety goggles

Circular saw

Drill and drill bits

Miter box

Square

Primer

Paint or varnish (you can choose two colors of paint if you will be making a contrasting piece)

Hammer

Finish Nails

Nail Set

Tape Measure

Sandpaper

Wood Putty

Brads

Wood glue

Two sets of interlocking flush mounts

Crown molding

Wood Board for your shelf base

The first step once you have purchased your supplies is to cut the base for your shelf. Put on your safety goggles and cut the board to whatever length you would like the shelf to be.

Step two is to cut your crown molding to the length you want it to extend over your base shelf. Use your miter saw to make the cut and be sure to have your safety glasses firmly in place while doing so. Now you want to cut the edges at a forty five degree angle, again using the miter to make your cut.

Mark on the board where the crown molding will be placed. If you have designed a shelf that will have multiple layers of shelving or crown molding, be sure to make all cuts now and dry-fit into place before securing with nails, brads, or glue. Make adjustments as necessary. You can get as elaborate or as simple as you would like with your design. Just know for balance purposes that you want the top portion of the shelf (where your items will be displayed, to be the longest piece, and then subsequent pieces to taper off chronologically, so that the bottom piece is always the shortest in length).

Use your brads to secure the crown molding into the base board for your shelf. Use your wood glue to hold the molding in place. Apply finish nails where needed and use your nail set to drive them down under the surface.

Cut a piece of molding for the outside piece of your shelf, making sure the edges are square cut along the back of the shelf.

Again, making sure to wear your safety goggles, use your circular saw to cut the bottom piece of wood for yourself. Use your miter box to make the final cuts so they will be angled correctly as you have deemed they should be. Secure this piece to the bottom of the front piece of crown molding by using brads and wood glue.

Put your side molding on in the same manner, again using brads and glue to properly secure the pieces. Miter joints should fit tight. Cut blocks as necessary to fill in any gaps and put them in place with finish nails and/or glue.

Use your nail set to sink any nails that are at surface. Use your wood putty to fill in any gaps and allow to dry. Sand by hand with sandpaper.

Apply primer and allow to dry.

Apply paint or stain and allow to dry.

Attach one piece of each interlocking mount . One piece goes in the wall and the other will mount on the back of your shelf.

You are now ready to install your shelf. Be sure to use your drill to fasten it into existing studs or apply it steadily to the top of a surface (such as a fireplace) to ensure stability. You are now ready to display whatever you would like on your beautiful new shelves.