How to Build a Small Wooden Shelf on a Flat Wall

Measure the wall where you want to install a small wooden shelf. Decide how long and deep you want the shelf. Leave enough clearance around the shelf for people to pass if the wall is in a high-traffic area, such as a hallway, so they do not run into it.

Cut a wood board to the desired length and width of your shelf. The board must be several inches longer than the distance between two studs in your wall. Use a stud finder to determine how far apart the studs are inside the wall. The distance between studs varies, depending on the age of the house and whether the wall is load-bearing or not. Generally, studs are placed a maximum of 16 to 24 inches apart. The board must also be flat and free of warping.

Sand the board smooth. Remove any sanding dust with a tack cloth. Stain the board the desired color to bring out its wood grain. If you prefer to paint it, apply a coat of primer, let it dry then paint it.

Locate the two adjacent studs inside the wall where you want to install the shelf. Make a mark over each stud at the height where you want your shelf. Double-check the marks with a carpenter’s level. These marks indicate where you will install the shelf brackets.

Measure the distance between the wall marks. Mark this distance on the bottom side of the wooden board. Center the marks so they are equal distances from each side. This is where the board will rest on the brackets. If the brackets have screw holes on the shelf supports, place the board face-down, hold the brackets to the board at the marks and mark the screw holes. Drill pilot holes at the marks and screw the brackets to the shelf. If the brackets are not designed to be attached to the shelf, skip this step.

Hold a shelf bracket to the wall or the entire shelf if you attached the brackets to the shelf so that the flat top of the bracket is at the same height as the wall marks. Mark the screw holes in the brackets on the wall with a pencil. Drill a pilot hole at each screw hole mark through the wall into the stud. Use the hardware that came with the wall brackets to screw them into the wall at the pilot holes.

Set the shelf on top of the installed wall brackets. Move it so that an equal amount overhangs each bracket on the sides. Now your shelf is ready to place your display or storage items on it.