DIY Floating Box Shelves for Your Wall

In the video “DIY Floating Box Shelves for Your Wall,” April Wilkerson demonstrates how to build elegant, functional floating box shelves that hang on the wall, offering a clean and modern solution for displaying books and decorative items.

This project is part of a larger series where April is transforming her loft space, and these shelves serve as a key feature in the overall design.

April begins by explaining the various options for building bookshelves, including floating shelves, full cabinets, and even recessed options. For this project, she chooses free-floating boxes that can be customized in size and design to suit any space.

She emphasizes the simplicity of the construction process, using dados and rabbets to create strong joints in the 3/4-inch plywood boxes.

Each box is assembled with care, using wood glue and an 18-gauge brad nailer to secure the pieces. April also highlights the importance of pre-finishing the backs of the boxes to match the wall color, ensuring a seamless, integrated look once the shelves are installed.

After assembling the boxes, April adds a face frame made from solid white oak to match the white oak plywood used for the boxes. She provides practical tips for ensuring precise miter cuts and secure attachment of the face frames, emphasizing the value of teamwork in speeding up the process.

Once the face frames are attached, April moves on to finishing the shelves with a matte finish to maintain the natural wood look. She uses an HVLP (high-volume, low-pressure) sprayer to apply the finish, praising the sprayer’s efficiency and the quality of the results.

For installation, April uses a French cleat system, which allows the shelves to hang flush against the wall. She demonstrates how to cut and attach the cleats to both the wall and the back of each box, ensuring a strong, secure fit.

April also discusses the option of adding LED lighting to the shelves, which she integrates into the design by routing channels for the lights during the assembly process.

The video concludes with April installing the shelves in her loft space, revealing a beautifully organized and stylish display that transforms the room. The floating box shelves provide ample space for books and decorative items, and the project showcases April’s commitment to both form and function.

“DIY Floating Box Shelves for Your Wall” is a practical and inspiring guide for anyone looking to add custom shelving to their home. April’s clear instructions and expert tips make it easy to follow along, whether you’re a seasoned woodworker or a DIY enthusiast.

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