How to Build Open Shelves [For Under $100]

Open shelves were a must when I designing my dry bar. I knew I wanted to build shelves between our upper cabinets. The only was, I have never built shelves before (with the exception to our built-ins). I love the look of shelves. It gives you space to share some decor and I love being able to share some of my personality.

So, I did some research and found some sample styles that I liked. There are a few ways to build open shelves. I ultimately decided to build cleats that would attach to the studs on the walls. Then I cut my plywood pieces for my shelves.

Tools and Materials List for Building Shelves

Materials List:

• 3 1/2 inch deep of birch wood pre-cut sheets
• 3 1×2 6 foot common boards
• 1 1×3 8 foot maple board
• Caulk
• Wood Filler
• Kilz Primer
• 2 1/2 Inch Wood Screws
• Kreg Nails

Tools List:

• Miter Saw
• Table Saw
• Brad Nailer
• Speed Square
• Measuring Tape
• Paint Brush
• 4 inch roller
• Paint Tray
• Kreg Jig
• Level
• Stud Finder
• Clamps
• Drill Bit

Related: How to Paint Cabinets [For a Professional Finish]

How to Build Open Shelves:

Prepping and Measuring Your Space:

• Measure your wall. Determine how many shelves and the distance you want between. The space I worked with was 36″ tall, 25 3/4″ wider x 12″ deep. I decided to do three shelves. Each shelf would be 2 1/2 inches high. This made my spacing out 10″ between with the top gap being slight shorter.

• Using painter’s tape, measure out your shelves. This help you get a visual on your spacing. Make sure you like how it will look before you start.

Cutting and Installing Your Open Shelves

• Using your miter saw, cut your 1×2 boards the width of your shelves. In my case this was 25 3/4″ wide. Then I made 4 cut at 11 1/4″ using my miter saw. These cuts were to make one cleat for my shelf. A cleat is used to mount the shelf.

• Using the Kreg Jig, you will want to make pocket holes. This is how you will attach the 4 small pieces of 1×2 to the longer 1×2.

• Use your stud finder, mark your walls to wear your studs are.
• Predrill into your 1×2 board (This will help keep the wood from splitting. Using the 2 1/2″ wood screws, screw the 1×2 into the studs on the wall. Make sure you use your level to make sure the base against the wall is level and the smaller 1×2 against the cabinets is level.
• Cut your 1/2 inch plywood using your table saw. I could set mine at 12″ wide to run each sheet of plywood through.
• Using your miter saw, cut your 1×3 maple board to fit between the two cabinets.
• Using liquid nails and brad nailer, glue and nail your piece of plywood onto one of the cleats, this will create your foundation install your shelf.

• Where you marked your wall studs, use your wood screws to screw your cleat into the wall, then attach the other plywood piece to the shelf. Using clamps to hold them in place. I used my brad nailer to also attach this plywood in addition to the liquid nails. Repeat for the other two shelves. I kept the clamps on overnight to allow the liquid nails to set.

• Once the liquid nails dry, remove the clamps. The 1×3 boards will become the front of your shelves. Using your level, make sure the front is level and use the clamps again to keep them in place. Nail the fronts to the shelves.

Finishing Touches

• Wood fill your nail holes and caulk the seams.
• Once everything has dried, prime the wood using Kilz primer. Then paint your shelves and you just built open shelves!

Tips for Building Open Shelves

Start the Top Shelf First

Since you are nailing the plywood, starting your top shelf first will allow you to nail the bottom board. If you start from from the bottom, it will be hard to nail the plywood and you will have to rely on liquid nails.

Mark your wall studs

Mark your wall studs before you install the cleat. Then taking the cleat and mark that spot on your 1×3 backing that will be installed to the wood stud. Predrill this spot on the cleat. This will help prevent the wood from splitting when you screw into the wood.

Use a Spacer

Once you determine your spacing between the shelve, cut a 2×4 to the gap space you want. This will be your guide and you can quickly install your shelf by using the spacers and level to get the shelves up quickly.

Last Thoughts on Open Shelves

Although there are various ways you can make open shelves, this is what worked best for me. are a great accent piece on a wall. You can use this how-to guide and use this on any wall in your home. Let me know what you think and if you made the shelves in your home!