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The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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How to Build DIY Floating Shelves

January 16, 2018 by Bethany Sy

This past weekend, we were ‘refreshing’ and rearranging DIY floating shelves in our upstairs bathroom, and remembering how bleak and cave-like this area above the toilet once was. Remember this?

BEFORE pic of bathroom floating shelves DIY *this post contains affiliate links*

Adding chunky white DIY floating shelves above the toilet was a game changer for this small bathroom’s style AND function. I went back into our blog archives to find that old post, and found that we didn’t do a very good job of explaining how we built these. So I’m going to re-write the tutorial to make things more clear!

DIY Floating Shelves in Bathroom above toilet

When we were in the planning stages of this, Nick and I sat down and talked about what we wanted, and this was our list of must-haves.

  • Full Width
  • Evenly Spaced
  • Not Deeper than the toilet’s tank
  • Chunky
  • Floating
  • White

Let’s get started building these DIY Floating Shelves!

Instructions for Building DIY Floating Shelves

First things first, we took some measurements of the area that we wanted the shelving to be.  For us it is as follows: Width 42”, Depth 8” Thickness 3”. We started out by cutting the boards to size, subtracting the thickness of the ‘skin’ (more on this below).  We subtracted 1/2” (2 1/2”) in from the thickness and a 1/4” from the overall depth (7 3/4”).  In addition we took off a 1/4” from the width for ease of installation (41 3/4”).

Once you have your front and back boards cut to width (41 3/4”), you will want to cut some cross members.  We used a quantity of 4 evenly spaced.  These will need to be cut to your desired depth (7 3/4”) minus your front and back boards thickness (3/4” + 3/4” = 1 1/2”) (7 3/4” – 1 1/2” = 6 1/4”).  When everything is glued together it will equal your desired depth (8”).

DIY floating shelves for your bathroom

* Notice the feather boards in the picture to the right.  Not only is this done to help prevent the board from kicking back by keeping the board in line with the blade and in the event a board is kicked back the feather boards will pin the board against the fence and table, it also allows a more consistent cut by providing even pressure toward the fence and table of the saw.

With a square, we laid out where our cross members are going to be Then gluing and stapling (1/4” x 1 1/4” crown staples) the cross members to the back board.  Finally,we flipped the shelf over, glued, checked the cross members for square, and stapled the front.

Building Custom Floating Shelves

* We use staples for these DIY Floating Shelves because it is what we have on hand. And it allows us to continue working without having to wait for glue dry times.  Any type of fastener would work. Although I would caution using screws as it will likely split the wood (drill a pilot hole first) or just glue and clamp.

Next we devised a plan on how to make this these shelves truly appear floating. We have done these in the past for the girls’ nursery using a different means. But this time I wanted to make them in such a way that they would be easily removable and even possibly adjustable.  We cut strips of wood for the back and sides of each shelf (1/2” X 3/8”) keeping the end grain of the wood parallel with the front face of the strips. This gives it strength and keeps it from splitting when installed. Then we used a router to cut a slightly larger groove in the shelves (sides and back). You can also use a dado blade and table saw, then check for fit. You want to have a little wiggle room.

If you are not comfortable cutting small strips of wood check your local hobby/hardware stores. Many times they have small rectangular or square stock on hand. Probably with the dowels or other craft wood supplies.

How to build floating shelves

Can you see things starting to take shape?  We took our DIY Floating Shelves shelves into the bathroom, measured the locations of where we wanted them leveled the strips out. Then drilled a pilot hole and nailed them into place. Then we checked the fit of the shelves.  Marking and making additional cuts to improve the fit of each shelf.

Custom Floating Shelves

Using 1/4” birch plywood, we measure and cut the ‘skin’ to size. I clamp a piece of plywood onto my fence when I cut angles to keep the wood from sliding under the fence.

It’s ok if there’s some chip-out on the bottom side (pictured below). We  just made sure these cuts where on the inside of the shelf.

Creating your own custom floating shelves

With the skins cut, glue the top of the shelf’s skeleton and lay the skin on it.  Start lining up the 45* angle on the front and work your way down stapling (1/4”x5/8” crown staples) every 4-5”.  Then staple the rest, spacing your staples 6-8” apart. Repeat on the back!

Floating Shelves Tutorial

Once we were done with the top and bottom, we measured and cut the front just slightly larger then needed test fit. Then glue the back and the 45* angle and staple into place.

Building your own Floating Shelves

Lastly, we burnish the edges as we did on our crown moulding tutorial. Then fill the staple indentations with wood filler.

How to create your own custom floating shelves

We sanded, primed, and painted glossy white. Then slid these bad boys into their place in the bathroom!

Floating Shelves over Toilet

How to build floating shelves and install them above the toilet in bathroom

We picked up some baskets for storage and some Puck Lights on a whim, and decided that it makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE! We love it hardcore.

Building your own Floating Shelves for the bathroom

Using puck lights under DIY floating shelves in bathroom

Floating Shelving in the bathroom behind toilet

How to make floating shelves for the wall behind your toilet

As always, feel free to ask any questions at all! And be sure to check out the other shelving tutorial where we made Massive Oversized DIY Pegboard Shelves!

Giant Pegboard Shelves

If you don’t already, you should subscribe to our blog so you get an email every time we publish a new blog post (not more than 2 times a week… TOPS)! You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don’t miss ANY of this madness!

Thanks for pinning!

How to build DIY Floating Shelves to be installed above the toilet in the bathroom!

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

« Convertible Kids Craft Table–Free Building Plans!
I’m the stranger who touches your pregnant belly in the grocery store »

Comments

  1. 29

    M says

    February 11, 2019 at 3:25 pm

    Ikea sells these as well, easier then to make it

    Reply
    • 30

      Lori says

      May 12, 2020 at 1:24 am

      They wouldn’t be full width this is much nicer and more cost effective.

      Reply
    • 31

      Hal says

      October 5, 2020 at 8:38 am

      The problem with the ones from Ikea though is that they aren’t custom fitted, and I don’t think the mounting for them will work if you trim them.The floating wall-to-wall shelf look is really nice, so unless your walls are exactly the same width apart as the Ikea shelves (which I think are 43.25″), you gotta make them yourself.

      Reply
  2. 32

    Tim says

    November 16, 2018 at 1:08 am

    Very nice. Have you considered making the lights inset?

    Reply
  3. 33

    Revital Mitchell says

    January 18, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    I love it! It sure changes the look of the bathroom. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  4. 34

    Norma Rolader says

    January 17, 2018 at 12:36 am

    Wow!!!! What a difference and decorated beautifully

    Reply
  5. 35

    Lisa journey says

    November 22, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    How far apart are your shelving. And how high from the top of the commode did you place your first Shelf?

    Reply
    • 36

      Bethany Sy says

      December 30, 2017 at 2:01 am

      Hey Lisa! The bottom shelf is 14″ above the toilet, and the space between the other shelves is 16″. Sorry it took me so long to reply!

      Reply
  6. 37

    Shawn and Rick Spiegelhalter says

    June 17, 2017 at 9:32 pm

    You inspired us! We followed your terrific directions and made a wonderful alcove space behind our toilet. Thank you.

    Reply
    • 38

      Bethany Sy says

      June 20, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      Yay that’s exciting! You should email me pictures so I can see! <3
      beth@realitydaydream.com

      Reply
  7. 39

    Hillary Barton says

    April 28, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    Hi! We’re definitely going to do this in our bathroom! How high above the toilet does the first shelf start and what is the distance between each of the shelves? Thanks!!

    Reply
    • 40

      Beth @ Reality Daydream says

      May 3, 2016 at 12:57 pm

      Hillary! Sorry for the delay! The first shelf has 14″ between it and the toilet. Then there’s another 14″ between each other the shelves above!

      Reply
      • 41

        Hillary Barton says

        May 3, 2016 at 1:35 pm

        Thank you! That’s very helpful!

        Reply
  8. 42

    Alanna says

    October 4, 2014 at 3:35 am

    This is exactly what I want to do over the toilet in our master bath. Thank you so much!

    Reply
  9. 43

    Lindsay says

    November 24, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    I love these! How far apart are the shelves (sorry if you stated it, and I missed it) 🙂

    Reply
  10. 44

    Megan eReplacementParts says

    July 25, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    WOW! I am seriously impressed. This looks so amazing. Thanks for giving us the daytime and nighttime look too. What a difference a day makes.

    Reply
  11. 45

    Anonymous says

    July 21, 2013 at 5:13 pm

    love this!!!!! Puck lites are awesome!!! not too bright to blind you (for those night trips to the bathroom) but more light than a night lite (so you don’t miss the target)

    glad I got to see it in person!!!
    Dana
    dashoop@hotmail.com

    Reply
  12. 46

    Jenn S says

    July 10, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Love it! It makes the space look SO much bigger!

    Reply
  13. 47

    Anonymous says

    July 10, 2013 at 12:28 am

    You both never fail to amaze me! I wish you both could come remodel our home! : ) I love it looks amazing!

    Reply
  14. 48

    Nine Red says

    July 9, 2013 at 11:17 pm

    These look great! Those puck lights are surprisingly bright, great job!

    Reply
  15. 49

    Tyra says

    July 9, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    I love those floating shelves, I wish you could fly out and do that to my bathroom.

    Reply
  16. 50

    Kenz @ Interiors By Kenz says

    July 9, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    So luxurious! I’m sure the questionable aimers will have NO PROBLEM AT ALL! I love it. It looks fantastic!!!

    Reply
  17. 51

    LittleMyoo says

    July 9, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    WOW! I thought the first shelf was cute, but this is BAM!!! I love it! And happy birthday to your girls!

    -andi

    Reply
  18. 52

    LaurenMarie says

    July 9, 2013 at 5:43 am

    That looks really great and functional too! You guys do such good work 🙂

    Reply
  19. 53

    Broke Ass Home says

    July 8, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    That looks beautiful!

    Happy Birthday girlies!

    Reply
  20. 54

    Stephanie @ Sandpaper and Glue says

    July 8, 2013 at 9:08 pm

    huge difference!! I love the look of built ins 🙂

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LITTLE LADIES!!

    Reply
  21. 55

    Julie @ Living on the Ledge says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:50 pm

    That looks great! Happy birthday to your girls!!

    Reply
  22. 56

    Mindy Schaper says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Wow. This looks great! The lights really add a lot. This looks like a hotel. No, this looks NICER than a hotel. Great job!

    Reply
  23. 57

    Renee says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    Love it! I wish I had somewhere to do that! I think you should paint the back wall turquoise to match your backsplash. That white would sure pop off of that! Tell your two sweeties Happy Birthday!

    Reply
  24. 58

    christina @ homemade ocean says

    July 8, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    Ohhhh holy whoa! Those look amazing!!! Way to go you two 🙂

    And a very happy birthday to your girls!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. DIY Organization Ideas for the Bathroom says:
    June 9, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    […] Add floating shelves over the toilet. Pinterest Click the link below for a complete tutorial. Sawdust & Embryos 6. Use old crates as storage. These would look good above the toilet. Lush Home 7.  Use plant […]

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
Please feel free to share or pin my posts! You're welcome to use ONE of my images (no collages or pinnables) with a link back to the corresponding post. Please do not edit or crop that single image in any way. Improper use of my photos, ideas or words is a violation of copyright. Thank you!

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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