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Simple DIY Box Shelves

I absolutely love these DIY box shelves.  They are easy to make, great for organization or display, and a unique statement piece. 

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

I love organizing and decorating.  

And it’s a good thing I do, because I feel like I am pretty much always organizing, decorating, or rearranging something – be it a closet, drawer, room, desk, etc.  

I like everything to have its own place in the house.  It never ceases to amaze me, though, how quickly things multiple, which often results in items laying around with nowhere to go.  How does that happen?!  Does this happen to you, too?

Well, if you are anything like me, then I have good news for you – times two!  I have teamed up with 30+ other bloggers for a monthly blog hop, which starts right now.  Every month we will be bringing you projects based around a specific theme, and this month, the theme is DIY organization.

So, not only do you get the step-by-step for these amazing DIY box shelves, but you can also browse through all of the other amazing organization projects that my friends have come up with.  Woohoo!

Let’s get started then, shall we?

Like I said earlier, I like it when everything has a place in my house.  Let me just tell you, that has not been the case in our guest bathroom for months now.  Our guest bathroom, or hall bath, is the one that both of my kids use and my husband use.  Yep, that’s right.  I pretty much get the master bath all to myself.  Ha!  

We live in an older home, so the bathrooms, including the master, are fairly small.  We have minimal counter and cabinet space in all of the bathrooms.  Before we had kids, my husband moved his stuff to the hall bath, so that we weren’t in each other’s way while trying to get ready in the morning.  

This arrangement actually still works for us, since he and I both shower and get ready in the morning, while the kids bathe at night.  The problem for the past few months has been organization.  We used to have a tall metal rack in the bathroom that held all of my husbands toiletries.  When my youngest started pulling up on things, though, the metal rack full of bottles – including glass cologne bottles – had to go.  So, all of my husband’s toiletries got thrown into a heap in a basket, which has been sitting on top of the toilet ever since.

Well, these DIY box shelves have finally given us some organization in that room once again.  And I have to admit, that I totally love it!

Super Simple DIY Box Shelves

Here’s how to build your own.

This post contains affiliate links.  To see my full disclosure, go here.

Supplies

      1. 14′ of 1 x 4 Pine
      2. Miter Saw
      3. Minwax Wood Stain
      4. Foam Brush
      5. Wood Glue 
      6. 1-1/2” Finish Nails
      7. Hammer 
      8. Nail Set
      9. Minwax Blend-Fil Pencil
      10. 8 Corner Braces, 1.5″ x 1.5″
      11. 4 L-Brackets, 1-1/2 Inch
      12. Compact Drill
      13. Anchors and screws

Step 1 – Cutting

The first thing you need to do is cut your boards down to size.  The width of my shelves was based on the size of the wall I would be hanging them on, and I determined the height by using one of the tallest toiletry items and adding a couple inches onto that.

Then, we cut each board to the appropriate size using our miter saw.  I had 2 boards at 34.5″, 2 boards at 22.5″, and 4 boards at 11.5″.  This gave me one shelf that was two feet wide and a second shelf that was 3 feet wide.  

You could make your shelves whatever size you wanted though.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

(There are only 7 boards in the picture because that is what we had on hand.  I had to run out and buy another board in order to cut the eighth piece.)

Step 2 – Staining

The next thing to do is stain the boards.  I used my favorite stain, which is the Minwax Wood Stain in Provincial.

Simply brush the stain on with a foam brush, making sure to cover the whole board.  Then, wipe the excess off with a rag, and let dry.  Once dry, flip the boards over and do the same thing to the other side.  

I only did one coat on mine.  

*The more coats you put on, the darker the stain will be.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Step 3 – Nailing

Now it’s time to put them together.  

You will want the long boards to go on the inside of the frame, and the short boards to be on the outside.  So, the end of the long board will attach to the face of the short board, and you will be putting your nails into the short boards.

Before nailing, I ran a thin strip of wood glue along the ends of the longer boards just to help reinforce the hold.

We put three nails into each side.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Step 4 – Sinking the Nails

If you don’t want the nails to be visible on the outside of the shelves, then you will need to sink your nails into the board.  

Place a nail set on top of each nail, and gently drive the nail down into the board a bit further with your hammer.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together! Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Step 5 – Filling the Holes

Then, using a fill pencil that matches your stain, simply fill in the holes, and wipe off the excess.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together! Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Step 6 – Attach the Hardware

We chose to further reinforce the shelves by adding corner braces to the back of each corner.  This step is optional, but will definitely help add to the durability of your shelves.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Then, you can add the L- brackets for hanging.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

Step 7 – Hang and Organize

Finally, you are ready to hang these beauties on the wall!  We used drywall anchors and screws in order to ensure that the shelves would stay safely on the wall. 

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these super simple DIY box shelves. They are incredibly easy to put together!

What do you think?

Edited 08/27/2020  –

These shelves were so helpful for organization in our small guest bathroom, but we actually didn’t have a need for them in the bathroom of our new home.  So, now they reside in our laundry room.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these DIY box shelves. They are so easy to put together!

I still love the look and the versatility of them, even 1.5 years later.

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these DIY box shelves. They are so easy to put together!

Box shelves are super stylish and so versatile. Here is a step-by-step tutorial for these DIY box shelves. They are so easy to put together!

 

Don’t forget to Pin this for later, and follow me on Pinterest for more inspiration!

 

And be sure to check out all of the other organization projects that my super talented friends have come up with.  

This link party is powered by Link Party Animal

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Comments

  2. Megan says

    I like how simple these boxed shelves are plus they would be a great way to organize lots of other stuff. Thanks for sharing this DIY tutorial!

    Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Yes! That’s part of what I love about them – they are so versatile. You could put them in just about any room. 🙂 Thanks so much!

      Reply

  3. Carmen says

    This looks great! I love the fact that they’re open shelves but you can style them on the top or inside, super creative! glad to be a part of this blog hop with you!

    Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Thank you! And that’s what I love about them, too! They are so versatile. It’s actually part of the reason I made the top one shorter – so I could place something (like a small vase) on the top/outer side of the lower shelf. 🙂 Glad to be doing this with you, too!

      Reply

  4. Mary says

    Amy this is such a simple idea but so rustic and beautiful at the same time. It adds emphasis to the beauty of the wood while being functional.

    Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Thank you! I am loving the simplicity, also. It’s functional AND stylish. What more do you need? 😉 I love seeing them every time I walk past the bathroom now!

      Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Yes! There are so many different things you could do with them. I love the idea of picture frames. 🙂 Thanks so much!

      Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Exactly! They are so versatile when it comes to both size and styling. 🙂 And yes, the bonus is that they are so easy to make. Thank you!

      Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Thank you so much! I love the simplicity, as well. It’s actually quite striking on the walls. 🙂

      Reply

  13. Michelle says

    Wait…. WHAT!!!! There’s a thing called a fill pencil?!!! How did I not know this.? That’s such a clever little invention. And I love your shelves Amy. Now all your hubby’s goodies are safely out of harm’s way and it looks good too.

    Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Yes! It’s a brilliant little tool. 🙂 And thank you so much! I’m loving them so much, I am considering making some more for the master bathroom!

      Reply

    • amy_at_healthhomeandheart says

      Thank you, Kippi! The extra storage has been fantastic! I love how versatile they are, and they really do look great on the wall.

      Reply

  19. Lisa says

    I could totally see these in my son’s room to hold signed baseballs and sports paraphernalia! Great project, thanks for sharing your tutorial Amy!

    Reply

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