These simple homemade farmhouse shelves are easy to hang and cost under $40! They're great for adding fun decor and character to your home, and I can't wait to switch them up each season.
Here's a quick look back at how this wall looked almost from the beginning. I tried a few layouts before settling on this one, and it stayed like this for more than three years.
I really loved the idea of open shelving, but my kitchen is fairly small and I couldn't bring myself to cut into any of my actual cabinets to make open shelves. This wall, I decided, would be the perfect spot for open farmhouse shelving.
Naturally, I browsed Pinterest, my favorite search tool for decor ideas, and found some inspiration.
I could have searched for cool old barn wood or driven to specialty shops that sell the real thing, but in the end I drove five minutes to the hardware store and bought everything for under $40. I absolutely love them!
Materials Needed for Homemade Farmhouse Shelves
- Boards – Measure your space to decide how deep and wide the shelves should be. I used 1 in. x 8 in. x 4 ft. select pine boards from the hardware store. They come from the special section of the lumber department stocked with other “select” boards, which means they're typically straight and high quality. Mine ran about $10 each.
- Brackets – I picked up the simplest, least expensive brackets at my hardware store. I liked how they looked, so I bought two per shelf. They were about $5 each.
- Stud Locator
- Level – Seriously! Even if you're a total beginner, you need a good level. Alongside my drill and hammer, it's the tool I reach for most.
- Drill – This is the one I own.
- Sander – This is the one I own and adore!
- Anchors – Use anchors if your brackets can't be screwed into studs. These are my favorites. I toss the anchors that come with the brackets!
- Stain (if desired)
Steps to Build Farmhouse Shelves
1. Get Your Boards Ready
Give the boards a quick sanding. They were already in great shape, so it didn't take long. I softened the corners a bit, since these hang beside a door and I don't want anyone bumping into a sharp edge.
2. Stain the Boards
Stain the boards if you'd like a stained finish. I applied Minwax’s weathered oak stain first, then Minwax’s dark walnut stain on top.
I didn't leave either stain on for long, maybe three minutes at most. Follow the can's directions for drying and reapplication times, and let everything dry completely. If the shelves will be in a kitchen like mine, consider sealing them. I sealed mine with wax.
3. Find the Studs
Use the stud finder to find the studs in the wall. If you can screw your brackets into them, that's wonderful.
If not, you'll need self-drilling anchors like these, which I think are fantastic. I was able to drill straight into the studs.
4. Choose the First Shelf Position
Use your level to pick the spot for the first shelf. I held each board against the wall with the level resting on top and drew a pencil line beneath it. Take note of fixed features like light switches and outlets.
5. Mount the Brackets
I lined up my brackets with the pencil mark and screwed them in. Check for level both horizontally and vertically before fully tightening everything!
Here's a tip if you're drilling into studs: driving a screw straight into a stud can be tricky, so I pre-drill each hole with a bit slightly smaller than the screw. It makes the job much easier!
5. Attach the First Board to the Brackets
Set your boards on top of the brackets. My brackets had holes underneath for screwing into the bottom of the shelf, which I did so the shelves can't be knocked loose by accident.
Step 6. Choose the Second Shelf Position
Decide where the top shelf goes. If you're installing more than one, I recommend putting in the bottom shelf first. I had to account for the outlets, phone jack, and light switches.
After installing the bottom shelf, I set some favorite decor pieces on it to test how far up the second shelf should go. I ended up with 17.25 inches between the shelves. Think about what you'll display and how it affects the spacing.
Hooray! Now for the fun part! You have your very own homemade farmhouse shelves and are ready to decorate. Here's a little sneak peek at how mine look now. I adore them and how much character they bring to my kitchen.
Styling My Open Shelves
Over the years since building these easy decor shelves, I styled them for every season. Even after we moved to a new home, I still look back fondly on my open shelves and how much fun it was to change the decor! I've shared some of my favorite looks over time.
Do you have open shelving in your kitchen? Do you love it?
More Posts You Might Enjoy:
