This project was built and designed by Drew Fisher from Fisher’s Shop. He shows how to make a set of three clean, functional corner floating shelves using reclaimed pine siding.
These shelves are a great solution for turning awkward spaces into useful storage and display areas. If you want to follow the full process step-by-step, check out Drew’s video on his YouTube channel.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Drew’s channel:
Why Corner Floating Shelves?
Corner shelves make use of space that’s often left unused. They’re ideal for displaying plants, books, or personal items while keeping a room feeling open and uncluttered.
Drew’s build uses a small corner nook and turns it into something both attractive and practical. The shelves blend function with clean design, adding style without bulk.
Materials and Initial Prep
Drew used reclaimed pine siding for this build, giving the shelves character while keeping the project sustainable. He started by removing old nails and trimming the boards down to size.
Each board was then passed over the jointer to create smooth edges for gluing. This helps the final panels come together tightly and evenly.
Gluing Up the Panels
Once prepped, the boards were glued together into three solid panels. Drew used a wood glue with longer open time to allow for adjustments during the glue-up.
He applied vertical and horizontal clamping pressure using cauls and pipe clamps to prevent warping. Careful clamping made a big difference in getting flat, square panels.
Cutting and Shaping
After the glue dried, the panels were trimmed to their final width and thickness. Drew planed each one to create a consistent surface before making decorative cuts.
To prepare the trim pieces, he used a crosscut sled and hold-down clamp for safe, accurate cuts. The triangular accents were cut at 45 degrees and set aside for assembly.
Preparing the Structure
Spacer strips were cut and glued to the underside of each shelf to form a pocket. This pocket would later slide onto cleats mounted on the wall.
The spacer design also allowed for easy edge banding along the front. After gluing, Drew sanded all visible surfaces for a clean and even look.
Shelf Assembly
With the prep work done, Drew glued the top and bottom panels together, using temporary spacers to keep them square. A few brad nails held the parts in place while the clamps dried the glue.
He was careful to avoid excessive glue squeeze-out, which can be difficult to remove once set. Taking time here helped create a more professional result.
Making and Installing the Cleats
Drew cut mounting cleats to size and counterbored them for screws. These cleats are the support system that holds the shelves against the wall.
Proper layout ensured that screw locations wouldn’t interfere with shelf installation. Once cut and prepped, the cleats were ready for mounting.
Final Fit and Finish
For a clean look, Drew added edge banding to the front of each shelf. He used a hot iron to activate the adhesive and then trimmed the excess for a flush finish.
Since walls are rarely perfectly square, he made small adjustments to each shelf for a precise fit. This attention to detail ensured the shelves sat snugly in place.
Installing the Shelves
The cleats were leveled and anchored to the wall. Once installed, each shelf was slid into place and secured with pilot holes and screws.
The result was a set of floating corner shelves that looked clean and seamless. They turned an empty nook into usable, eye-catching storage.
Why You’ll Want to Build These
Corner shelves like these are simple to make and highly adaptable to different room layouts. They add practical storage while also serving as a design feature.
Drew’s method is straightforward, and the end result is sturdy, attractive, and rewarding to build. It’s a great weekend project for woodworkers of any experience level.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Drew’s channel:
(Embed YouTube video here)
Matt’s Take
These are my personal thoughts and tips based on my own experience in the shop. This section is not written, reviewed, or endorsed by the original creator of this project.
Corner floating shelves are one of those projects that really showcase the beauty of simple, functional woodworking. The cleat system Drew uses here is rock solid – it’s the same mounting method you’ll find in high-end kitchen cabinets. That hidden support gives you all the strength you need while maintaining that clean “floating” look.
Working with reclaimed materials like Drew’s pine siding can be incredibly rewarding, but it does require some patience during prep. Taking time to properly joint those edges makes all the difference in your glue-up. If you’re dealing with particularly weathered reclaimed wood, consider running it through a planer after jointing to reveal fresh wood underneath – it often shows grain patterns you never expected.
The spacer strip approach for creating the cleat pocket is smart engineering. It gives you a consistent reveal along the front edge and makes installation much more forgiving than trying to route a dado after assembly. When you’re mounting the wall cleats, a laser level is worth its weight in gold for this type of project. Even small variations in level become obvious when you’re dealing with the clean lines of floating shelves.
This style of shelf works beautifully in any room, and the skills transfer directly to larger floating shelf projects. The combination of solid joinery and thoughtful design details makes this a great stepping stone project for anyone looking to build their woodworking confidence.