When it comes to home storage, few things are as helpful as shelves. Because they’re so simple to buy from the store, sometimes we forget that there are so many wonderfully creative, functional, and decorative DIY options out there! We actually have several rooms in our home right now that could use a bit more shelving, so we’ve been on the lookout lately for the most creative homemade shelving tutorials we could possibly find.
Just in case you love the idea of making your very own shelves just as much as we did, if not more, here are 15 of the very best and most creative ideas that we’ve come across so far in our search for guidance and inspiration!
1. DIY ladder shelf
Whether you plan to put your new shelves in or outside your home, we’re completely obsessed with this lovely leaning ladder style shelf outlined step by step on Making It in The Mountains! We love that their design shows you how to make boxy shelves with sides that are a little bigger than the average ladder shelf, giving you more solid space to set things.
2. Toilet paper holder with a shelf
Maybe you’ve been finding need for a small shelf in your bathroom but it’s quite small in there and you don’t have a lot of free wall space? Then perhaps you should consider replacing your regular old toilet paper holder with one that has a small shelf built right in! Get the details for making one of your very own on DIY Showoff.
3. Old door to corner shelf
Have you actually been looking for DIY projects lately that let you upcycle things you have laying around your house or repurpose old things in order to keep your crafting green and save a bit of money on supplies? Then we have a feeling you’ll really get a kick out of the way Craftaholics Anonymous created a set of corner shelves from an old door!
4. Reclaimed wood DIY cubby shelf
Just because you want to do some rustic inspired upcycling in your DIY projects as of late doesn’t mean you have to work with old objects that need transforming. Even just recycling old wood can be helpful! We love this tutorial from The House of Wood for making a cubby shelf because they’re just so useful for storing all kinds of things but their vertical style makes them space efficient.
5. Popsicle stick hexagon shelf
Maybe you’re still thinking about upcycling but you’d rather make a new shelf from really simple, affordable supplies that you might already have lying around, say, in the kids’ craft room? In that case, we think you’ll get a huge kick out of the way Make & Do Crew Made a very cute and very simple hexagonal shelf out of kids crafting popsicle sticks!
6. Floating corner shelves
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about the idea of corner shelves because that’s where you have the most space in your room but you’re prefer the wall mounted kind rather than floor standing shelves so they can be put above another piece of furniture? In that case, we think you’ll find some success with this floating corner shelf tutorial featured on Shanty 2 Chic!
7. Industrial pipe shelves and desk
Are you very into the idea of making DIY shelves that have some kind of theme or aesthetic but the rather rustic or modern ones you’ve seen so far aren’t really what you’re interested in? Then perhaps you’d prefer to make something awesome and industrial inspired instead! Check out how Remodelaholic used wood and metal piping to make these fantastic shelves that are actually also part of a desk.
8. Repurposed books wall shelf
Do you come from a family of bookworms who are more than proud to advertise their love for novels when friends and visitors come around? Well, have you ever thought of doing that by actually incorporating books into your decor scheme? In any case, we think this fantastic tutorial from A Piece of Rainbow that shows you how to make a mounted wall shelf from old hard cover books might be right up your alley!
9. Stacked end table shelf
Just in case you’re still not over the idea of of using other housing elements or furnishings to create an awesome upcycled shelving piece, here’s another idea that will help you make something unique! Check out how Infarrantly Creative made this awesome double shelf from a side table that has been cut in half with the pieces attached stacked on top of each other!
10. Wood and glass bottle shelving
Perhaps you’re still feeling intrigued by the idea of upcycling things around your home but what you had in mind was a little bit simpler than cutting furniture in half and reconstructing doors? In that case, we think perhaps you’ll get along a little better with something like this wood and glass bottle stacked shelving idea outlined nice and carefully, with full instructions, on Instructables.
11. Cubby display shelf
Were you more than a little bit interested in the ida of making a cubby shelf when we mentioned the concept earlier on our list but you’re just not sure you have need for cubbies that big because the trinkets and things you’d like to display are much smaller indeed? Then we have a feeling Blue Roof Cabin might have just the little cubby shelf design for you!
12. Lego mini figure shelves
Maybe it’s the kids’ playroom that could use a bit of shelving but you’re also looking for some more creative ideas than just the regular wall mounted kind because you can’t help feeling like there must be shelves out there catered to toys? Well, if your kids love Lego even half as much as ours do, we have a feeling you’ll find this awesome DIY Lego figurines shelf idea from Got Blogger rather intriguing indeed!
13. Easy rope shelf
Perhaps you’re looking for a simpler, almost seaside influence approach? Then maybe you’d enjoy incorporating rope into your look! We love the way this hanging wood and rope shelf by Burkatron looks like it might not be anchored stably, but can hold and support lots of things because it’s actually just as sold as any other design.
14. Wooden honeycomb shelves
Did you actually kind of fall in love with the look and shape of the hexagonal shelf we showed you a little earlier on but you’re in need of a sturdier material than just popsicle sticks? Then we think you’ll really appreciate the way Boxy Colonial created a similar effect using small, angularly cut pieces of wood. We love their idea of creating more than one hexagon and fitting them together like a honeycomb across the wall!
15. Repurposed skateboard shelves
Are you still thinking about shelving ideas that might work in your kids’ space but you’re also still kind of convinced that upcycling is the way to go? The maybe those old skateboards that have been sitting in your garage since your kids upgraded their decks can come in handy for you! Crafted Sparrow shows you how to turn them into wall mounted shelves instead of clutter.
