Do It Yourself Angle Shelf

Making a DIY Angle Shelf - Straight Front

• 1

  Determine how long you want your shelf. The easiest way to do this is to measure from one wall to the other the distance that you want the shelving to fit: this measurement will be the longest point on your shelf. For small displays, a 12-inch wide shelf is usually best, while a 24-inch shelf will provide more storage space, and is often ideal for books or various framed photos.

• 2

  Inspect the wood, determining which side is the most visibly appealing, and draw a straight line the length you want your shelf to be on the plywood with a ruler and a pencil. Draw a 45-degree angle using a protractor or angle square from both end points of the line until the two lines intersect, creating a triangle.

• 3

  Cut the wood along the lines with a table saw, keeping the nicest side facing up. Lightly sand the edges with fine grit sandpaper to remove any splinters.

• 4

  Stain or paint the shelf any color you want. You can go for a clear or colored stain, or white or black paint. If you are looking to add a pop of color to your room, a brighter shade can be a good option, depending on your personal style, and a bold color turns your DIY angle shelf into a focal point for the rest of the room.

• 5

  Purchase two shelving brackets in a similar finish as the shelf, or purchase unfinished ones and stain or paint them to match the shelving.

Making a DIY Angle Shelf - Curved Front

• 6

  Use a ruler and pencil to dissect a circular piece of particle board into four equal sections with two lines. At the center of the circle, where the two lines meet, each angle should be 90-degrees. For a small to medium size shelf, a 24-inch diameter piece of particle board is generally best, although you can go larger or smaller depending on your needs.

• 7

  Cut the circular piece of particle board along the lines with a table saw, turning the circle into four even shelves with a perfectly angled corner and rounded front.

• 8

  Sand the edges of the wood with fine grit sandpaper to remove any roughness. Stain or paint the angled shelves to match your decor, as well as two shelving brackets per each shelf. Let your imagination run wild -- the ability to customize your shelves is one of the best reasons to undertake a DIY angle shelf project.

Installing the Shelving

• 9

  Place the shelving piece in the corner you wish to install it in, holding it steady and using a level to make sure it is even with the floor. Use a pencil to mark off each corner of the shelf using the bottom corners as the guides.

• 10

  Use a ruler to draw a line from the mark on the wall back towards the corner, and check to make sure the line is straight with a level. Mark the point two-thirds back from where the corner of the shelf will be on either side. This will be the installation points for your brackets.

• 11

  Take one bracket and hold it up to the point you just marked, making sure that the shorter edge is facing up toward the ceiling. Mark the wall where the screw holes on the bracket are using the bracket as a guide. Do this on both sides.

• 12

  Drill into the holes you marked with a drill bit suitable for the type of wall you have and the size screw you will need for the bracket. Do this on both sides.

• 13

  Tap plastic wall anchors into each hole carefully with a hammer. Place the first bracket back in place and use the screws that came with it to secure it to the wall, making sure the screws are tight to the wall anchors. Do this with the other bracket as well.

• 14

  Set your DIY angle shelf on the brackets, making sure both sides of the shelf are flush with the wall and the corner of the shelf is tight against the corner of the wall. Check the evenness of the shelf with a level.

• 15

  Holding the shelf steady, secure the shelf to the mounting bracket with screws, screwing up through the holes on the bracket into the shelf. Make sure the screws are not longer than your shelf is thick.