How to Build a Short Corner Shelf

Hold a plywood sheet up to the corner of the room where the short corner shelf is to be installed. If you are dealing with a large plywood sheet, ask a friend to help hold it up for you. As you hold it in place, draw a straight line from one wall to the other to create a triangular shelf outline.

Lay the plywood sheet on a flat table so the triangular shelf sticks out from the table’s edge. Cut the triangular short shelf, using the reciprocal saw. Remove any cracks, splinters or wood particles sticking out from the cut side, using medium-grit sandpaper.

Find two wall studs closest to the corner by sliding the stud finder horizontally across both walls that make up the corner. Since studs run vertically in the walls, simply make a light pencil mark when a stud is found. Locate one in each wall in the corner.

Hold the triangular short corner shelf in the corner and slide it up and down to determine the desired height of the small corner shelf. Lay the level on top of the shelf to find an even horizontal placement. Draw two small pencil lines directly underneath the shelf on top of the wall stud placements — one line underneath the shelf on each wall in the corner.

Install one shelf bracket on one of the walls so the top of the bracket lines up with the pencil line drawn in the previous step. Use the level directly beside the bracket so it becomes vertically even. Drill 2-inch screws into the wall, securing the bracket to the wall. Repeat this step with the opposite bracket.

Install the triangular short shelf to the shelf brackets by screwing 1/2-inch screws into the corner shelf. Push the shelf into the corner so it lines up with both walls. Look underneath the brackets and locate all the installation holes lined up with the bottom of the shelf. Use these holes to insert the screws and secure the shelf to the brackets.