DIY Floating Shelves and Bathroom Update

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DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
  There once was a time that my bathroom looked like this.
 Well, truthfully, I did have towels hanging on the rod, so it wasn't that bad :) But the toys and the random other-ness is a down play. In fact, for about a month, we had a huge dresser standing right in front of this tub, so this is an obvious step up haha.

So, of course the first step to take back my bathroom was to actually clean it :) So, let's pretend that this was my actual before picture :) But seriously, what good is a before picture if it still looks pretty? Right? ;)
I decided I was in desperate need of organization and a little decor. So, the first thing to do was to create some cute shelves! To start, I needed to figure out how long I wanted them, how many, and where to put them. So, I started by using painters tape and figuring out exactly what I wanted. I obviously thought I wanted three, and that didn't happen. My idea for the top third shelf was to make it half the size and put it flush on the right. But, once I got the two shelves up, I thought this would just be way to busy.
 To create the actual floating shelves, here's how I did it.
Cut List per shelf:
(2 )1x6 @36"
(1) 1x4 @37.5"
(2) 1x4 @5.5"
(1) 2x2 @36"
(3) 2x2 @3"

Supply List:
Nail gun
1 1/4" nails
Wood Glue
2 1/2 screws
Drill
Stain
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 Step one is to put the 5.5" inch pieces on the ends of the 36" 1x6. Glue and nail in place.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 Then add the second 36" 1x6 piece to the opposite edge of the 5.5" pieces. Glue and nail in place.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 It should look like this at this point.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 The next step (not pictured, sorry!) is to place the 37.5" 1x4 on top of this. Glue and nail into place

Now for the supports. I drilled and screwed in the 3" pieces into the 36" 2x2. I placed one on each end and then one in the middle.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 I then measured on the wall where I wanted these positioned with help of my painters tape. I found where the studs were and then marked those measurements on the support. I then drilled all the way into the support with a drill bit one size smaller than my screws. This helps to not split the wood when you send the screw through.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 I then placed them on the wall, making sure they were level and even.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
Before staining, I sanded the shelves to smooth out the edges and corners. After staining the shelf with Minwax Dark Walnut, I then just slid them on to the supports. The fit was perfect and snug! I then realized after putting weight on these, I needed to add more support by adding a 1 1/2" screw into the top of the shelf into the support. I drilled this out first, and then sent the screw through.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
I love these shelves because they use all wood unlike some of the other tutorials I saw that use plywood for the underside. Plywood is expensive especially when you won't be using the whole sheet. Making them this way, you just need one 1x6 at 6' to make one shelf. :)
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 I had so much fun accessorizing these shelves. I kept it neutral of course, and a little bit farmhouse.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 Although baths are meant for relaxation and getting away from things, I am such a time oriented person, so I had to add a clock :) I got this clock from Gordmans and the candle pillar from Hobby Lobby.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 The baskets are also from Gordmans and this cute little plant is from Ikea placed into a different pot I had.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!

DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 I just love how this all came together!
These curtains are from Amazon (link). I wanted to brighten the space up a little bit and add a little frill :)
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 And of course, there was the problem with towels. I was wanting to put them on the shelves, but I was bad and didn't realize my folded towels measured more than 6" :) So, if you are making these shelves to hold towels, use a 1x10! But, I was pretty happy when I found these baskets that fit all the towels perfectly! I actually like the whole look of the space because of these.
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 I'm so glad I didn't put the third short shelf on here. It would have been way to much for the space! I love walking in here now, it just makes me happy :)
DIY Floating Shelves just like the ones from Fixer Upper! Make 2 of these for about $10! Great way to add farmhouse charm to any room!
 As for the other wall? This was the before of this wall. I painted this square a few years ago and had the knobs to hang lanterns or towels, but it was also just a little boring.
 So, I decided to throw this resin antler bust on it. I seriously wish I had thought to do something like this forever ago! It totally made the space. I was contemplating planking this square with wood and then adding the bust, but I thought that would be just a bit too much wood in this space. So, for now, this is how it is :)
Easy way to hang towels. Cute towel hanger from drawer knobs.
 So, the total cost of each shelf comes down to:
1 1x6 6' board - approx. $3.50
1 1x4 8' board - approx. $2
1 2x2 8' board - approx $1.50

Given that you have the other materials already on hand, you have an awesome 3' shelf for $7.00! Your second shelf would be even cheaper, since you can use the leftover wood from the first shelf, and only have to buy another 1x6 board. So, you can do two of these shelves for about $10. Not bad! :)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” 

50 comments

  1. cute.very cute. wish I had your ambition.

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  2. Floating shelves for confined bathroom is a big yes. Loved your insightful tutorial. And, this little bathroom is looking really pretty.

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  3. These shelves are amazing!! I am currently in the middle of creating a floating mantle in my living room! Excited to share it when it is complete.

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  4. This is exactly what I want to do in my bathroom! Thank you for the great instructions. Your arrangement looks fantastic!

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  5. Are they attached to the wall with a screw?

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  6. What kind of wood is this?

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  7. I love this and I'm wanting to try it out myself, but I'm really confused as to where the 37.5" 1×4 is and how it was used because to me, all I see are the 1×6's and the 5.5" pieces in the photos! Pls help. Lol

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    1. I had to go back and look too. If you read through the steps she explains it but it isn't pictured. It is the piece that caps the shelf.

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  8. I love the color of the walls in your after pictures. What is the paint color you used? Thanks!

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  9. Unfortunately I don't think the shelves on the wall are the same ones in the tutorial pictures. In the tutorial it shows that you should place the end pieces on the ends of the front board. If these were the same shelves then in the finished picture you would see the end on the side pieces looking at it from the front. Doesn't look like it's the same.

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    1. Hi Carrie, I assure you these are the same. I'll go through the tutorial and hopefully better explain the process.

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    2. Carrie,
      The front piece is longer than the side pieces. I don't have that pictured, sorry I guess it's been causing a lot of confusion. But if you look at the finished piece compared to the last picture of the shelf, you can see how the front piece fits. Hopefully to clear up the confusion, the front piece is the longest piece you should have cut and fits over the "box" you created with the top, bottom, and side pieces.

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    3. Ahh, I see how it works now. So sorry! I wasn't able to make that work in my head. They are beautiful shelves. Thank you for sharing!

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  10. I just love the transformation. So inviting and cozy. Are the baskets holding the towels the ones from Gordmans?

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  11. Did you use pine or common board?

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  12. love this! what is the depth of the shelves?

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  13. Also, if i wanted to change the length of this shelf to 32.5" in length I would just cut and change the measurements of all the 36" wood to 31" and the 1x4 to 32.5" instead of 37.5" to cover the front. Is that correct? Also, when you screwed/drilled the 3" wood to the 2x2 did you drill from the front of the 2x2 into the 3" wood? And that was sturdy enough? I noticed you didn't use the Kreg Jig to do this so I just wanted to make sure it was sturdy enough because if I can avoid purchasing the Kreg Jig that would be nice lol! Thank you can't wait to build these for my living room and bathroom your instructions are so simple! :D

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  14. What height is the first shelf hung and then what is the distance between the two?

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  15. What a great tutorial! The only question I have is she you said you needed one last screw for sturdiness after you started placing things on the shelfs, I can't not quite figure out where that screw went? :) thank you!

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    1. I put the screw on the middle top of the shelf into the back 2x2 wall support. So like half an inch from the wall.

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  16. Do you absolutely need a nail gun for this? Or can a hammer be used instead of you don't have one

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  17. Hi! I have the same question about that "extra" screw for sturdiness. I am planning to use this tutorial to make one 6 foot shelf and two 3 foot shelves for my living room. I can't quite figure out where that extra screw should go on them.

    Thanks so much for the inspiration and tutorial. I can't wait to see how mine turn out.

    -Kate
    www.theflorkens.com

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    1. I put the screw on the middle top of the shelf into the back 2x2 wall support. So like half an inch from the wall.

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  18. I have the wood cut and ready to assemble, but I'm running into a problem as I lay it all out to make sure I have everything. There's a 1/2 inch gap between the 5.5 inch side pieces attach to the front piece. What should fill in that space. The side pieces or 5.5 inches but the board is 6 inches wide. I'm sure I'm missing something. :) Any advice? Thanks for sharing the tutorial. The shelves are beautiful!

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    1. Sorry -lots of typos there. Here's how it should read:

      I have the wood cut and ready to assemble, but I'm running into a problem as I lay it all out to make sure I have everything. There's a 1/2 inch gap between the 5.5 inch side pieces that attach to the front piece. What should fill in that space? The side pieces are 5.5 inches but the board is 6 inches wide. I'm sure I'm missing something. :) Any advice? Thanks for sharing the tutorial. The shelves are beautiful!

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    2. Hi there, did you figure this out? I'd like to make these but it seems like there is a problem with the measurements.

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  19. What size screws did you use? And drill bit size?

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  20. What is the different colored wood you used that makes the ends look darker after staining?

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  21. I'd love to know where you got your pitcher

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  22. Made these this week and absolutely love how they turned out - I feel like I have a brand new bathroom! Thanks for sharing!

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  23. Hi! I'm wondering what stain color you used :)

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  24. Hello,

    I have a question as to what measurements would be if you switched things to a 1x10. Seems like a lot of pieces would change in measurements and I'm having trouble figuring that out in my head. Thanks!

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  25. Hi where you buy the woven basket with the metal handle?

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  26. I'd love to know where the other and filter are from.

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  27. I want to try the shelves but also wanted to know what Brand and style is the Bathtub love it?????

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    1. Oh I wish I knew!! That's what made me fall in love with our house :)

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  28. Thank you for this tutorial I think I can make it on my own and without waiting and waiting for hep. Thank you for sharing it.

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  29. I realize this question is over a year old, but just in case someone from Pinterest wanders into the comments- - - I’m currently making these shelves and the problem Anon (above) is running into is the 1x6 she is referring to is a standard 1x6 board which actually measures 5.5” wide. Hence the 5.5” side cuts. All her measurements are spot on and my shelves are drying right now! Hope this helps someone else!

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  30. Hi one question did you change the outcome/set up of the shelves? as one of the pictures near the beginning, shows the end caps on top of the end of the lengths, yet at the end photos you can clearly see the front length cover the end caps.
    Thanks.
    Barry (ENG)

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    1. No, it's the same. In the first picture you are looking at, it doesn't have the front piece of wood on it yet. That front piece will cover the two smaller sides. I mentioned it in the post that I didn't take a picture of the last step which is probably causing the confusion.

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  31. Beautiful! Did you seal the shelves after staining with anything?

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    1. No, I didn't. But for easier dusting, I would if I did it again. Also, I don't have a high amount of humidity in here so there's been no problem otherwise.

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  32. If you happen to read this Alicia, just wondering where you purchased the baskets you put the towels in?

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  33. Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing, I feel so empowered!!

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happy DIYing! Alicia