DIY Floating Shelves in the Nursery

I really wanted to create some vertical storage/display space in the nursery and felt the best way to accomplish that is shelves.  And I just love how these turned out!

I debated many different options from using shelving brackets, to IKEA brackets to building a hidden support type of floating shelves but finally settled on this because of the cost and simplicity of it!  Using the corner braces that I used (4 of them for $7) was so much cheaper than buying 4 brackets at $5-10 each.   (Affiliate links included in this post for your convenience.)

So here’s how to build these simple floating shelves.

Materials used:

• 1×10 (length depends on how long you want your shelves + how many shelves you want)
• wood stain – I used Varathane Antique White stain
• metal corner braces + screws/anchors

I cut my 1×10 board into 26 inch pieces.  (That’s just what worked for my space, you could do whatever length you want.  If you decide to do much longer, I would use 3 braces per shelf instead of 2.)

After sanding the board, I applied 1 coat of Varathane Wood Stain in Antique White.  I just wanted a whitewashed look and this was perfect while also protecting the wood.

You can see what the bottom board looks like compared to the top one.  The stain still allows the grain to be seen but helps give the board a more uniform whitewashed type look.

Then it was time to figure out where to use my corner braces.  These are attached to the bottom of the shelf and then going up and behind the back of the shelf so you can attach it to the wall.  Once you place things on the shelf they basically become completely hidden.  I used the screws provided to secure the brace to the board and then some longer screws and anchors to attach them to the wall. I was able to plan it out so that one side of the brackets went into a stud so I just had to use anchors on one side.

This picture shows how they are attached to the board and the wall.

Then it was time to decorate!  These shelves can grow with her and become a place I can put breakable things out of reach and display photos or whatever we wish. 

This 4 cube IKEA unit is perfect for books and toys and the shelves help finish off that wall.

I just love how this sweet room has turned out!  

Her first Valentine stuffed teddy bear, a sweet book, and a personalized engraved wood block with all kinds of birth stats on it that was such a special gift are on this side of the bottom shelf. 

My friend Molly makes custom signs and pallet wood creations (here’s her facebook page) and she made me the sign as a baby gift.  Such a perfect saying for this little one that we waited for for a long time.  The pink flower pot is a yard sale find.  The pink chevron frame came from Aldi of all places (they had some adorable baby and kids books and accessories this past month), and the other pink frame was on clearance from Kohl’s.  Still need to print pictures to put in those frames

You can find the tutorial for the LOVE footprint sign here – such a sweet decor + keepsake made with her footprints, and the vintage miniature rocking horse and little bird cage are thrifted finds.

These could be used in a bathroom, kitchen, office…so many places you can add shelves for storage and decor.  Where would you add floating shelves?