This project was built and designed by Nick from Rocky River Woodworks. It’s a budget-friendly entryway shelf made from fence pickets, featuring a simple box shelf and coat hooks, all with a rustic aesthetic.
This project is ideal for beginners and side hustlers alike. It’s quick to build, low-cost, and highly functional—making it a strong option for both home use and resale.
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A Profitable and Practical Design
Nick’s entryway shelf combines a small box for keys or mail with a flat shelf above and three coat hooks below. The design fits nicely near any front door or hallway and works well in homes with farmhouse or casual decor.
What sets this project apart is its simplicity and profit potential. By using inexpensive fence pickets and basic hardware, it can be built for just a few dollars and sold for significantly more.
Materials and Prep Work
The main material for the project is standard wooden fence pickets. These are widely available at home centers and often come pre-weathered or stained, which gives them a naturally rustic look.
Nick starts by cutting the pickets into narrow strips of varying lengths. These strips form the vertical back panel, which serves as the structural base for the rest of the shelf components.
Additional pieces are cut to form the box—two sides, a bottom, and a front lip that keeps items from falling out. These cuts are simple straight cuts, making them beginner-friendly.
Assembling the Back Panel
The vertical strips are arranged tightly side by side and attached together to form one solid back panel. This panel gives the piece its rustic look and acts as the mounting base.
Nick uses nails or glue to hold the strips together, depending on what he has on hand. The finished panel looks like shiplap and creates a nice backdrop for the rest of the shelf.
Building and Attaching the Shelf Box
The box is assembled using overlapping butt joints, then secured to the lower portion of the back panel. Although the joints are simple, the panel provides additional strength once everything is attached.
The shelf box has an open top and a slim board across the front. This front lip helps keep items like sunglasses or mail from sliding off and adds to the rustic feel of the design.
The top of the box doubles as a shelf, providing a spot for small decor items, wallets, or plants. Everything is proportioned for function and visual balance.
Adding the Hooks
Three metal coat hooks are installed below the box. These are spaced evenly across the width of the back panel, offering plenty of room to hang keys, hats, leashes, or jackets.
Nick uses basic screws to install the hooks, keeping it fast and easy. For those customizing the project, different hook styles or finishes could be used to match personal taste.
Installation Tips
To mount the shelf securely, Nick recommends driving screws directly through the back panel into wall studs. This is the most stable method, especially if the shelf will hold heavier items.
Drilling pilot holes helps prevent the wood from splitting and makes installation smoother. Alternatively, a French cleat or D-ring hangers could be added for lighter loads or temporary installs.
Why This Project Sells
The entryway shelf checks all the boxes for a great product to build and sell. It’s useful, visually appealing, and doesn’t require a large investment in time or materials.
Using fence pickets keeps costs low and gives each shelf a one-of-a-kind appearance. Depending on the region and finish, this project could easily sell for $30 to $50 or more.
Nick’s design can also be customized by changing the dimensions, number of hooks, or finish. A clear coat, painted stencil, or personalized engraving could all add value without much extra work.
A Fast and Flexible Build
One of the best things about this project is how fast it comes together. With a small batch of pickets and a few hours of work, several shelves can be built in a single day.
That makes it perfect for selling at craft fairs, markets, or online platforms like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace. It also works well as a gift or starter piece for those new to woodworking.
The style is timeless and functional—something every household can use. That broad appeal makes it easier to market and more likely to sell.
Please support Nick by visiting his website here: https://www.rockyriverwoodworks.com/.