1. Home
  2. Home Idea & Gardening

15 Unique Homemade Trinket Shelves Design Ideas

When it comes to organizing our decor pieces, we’ll admit that we can let ourselves get a bit cluttered. Between all the cute trinkets there are out there to collect and all the things we also make ourselves, we’ve definitely found ourselves in need of more shelving space for small things so that all our little pieces can be more properly displays in all their glory. Rather than just buying another generic shelf, however, we’re convinced that we can use our DIY skills to make something ourselves!

That’s why we’ve been on the hunt for awesome homemade trinket shelves all across the Internet. Just in case you like the idea of making one just as much as we do, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials we’ve come across so far in our search for inspiration.

1. Letterpress drawer trinket shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Does the rest of the room you have in mind for putting a new shelf in already have a slightly vintage aesthetic? Then we think you’d do very well indeed repurposing a vintage piece of some kind into a trinket shelf instead of making a frame from scratch! We’re completely in love with the way Texas Craft House did just that using an old letterpress drawer found in an antique store.

2. Cutlery tray trinket shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Are you quite a big fan indeed of the concept of making a shelf that is quite sectioned, like it’s made of miniature cubbies, but you live in a rather small space so you’re in need of a much smaller and simpler version than the letterpress drawer idea? In that case, we have a feeling you might get a long a little better with something like this shelf outlined on Lizzie Woodman that’s made from an empty cutlery drawer.

3. DIY wooden honeycomb shelves VIEW IN GALLERY

Just in case you’re still feeling quite into this sectioned cubby style of trinket shelf but you’re also the kind of person who likes to get a little more creative with shapes rather than always squaring your projects off, here’s a simple alternative that’s perfect for beginners in woodworking! Take a better look at Essentially Erika to see how these wooden honeycomb shelves were made. Feel free to customize your own design a little in terms of how many you made and how you arrange them!

4. Dollar tree V’s floating wood shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Maybe you’re still very into the idea of making something from wood and giving it a unique shape but this is your first ever wooden home project and you’re looking for a design that’s even easier than what you’ve seen so far? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Jay Munee DIY made this neat V-shaped floating shelves using wooden bracket pieces from their nearest dollar store.

5. DIY slat wall trinket shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Are you actually completely enamoured with the idea of making a simple wooden trinket shelf because you’d like to start practicing your skills a little more and you think they look quite refined in natural light wood, but you live in quite a small space and you have limited space to work with? Then perhaps this vertically shaped slat shelf that has several little trinket platforms on it will be a little more up your alley! See how it’s done with good, clear instruction on The Merry Thought.

6. DIY wall mounted plywood shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

perhaps you actually have quite a lot of wall space to work with but it’s floor space that you’re strapped for, which is something else you’ve been thinking a lot about because you could also use a desk in addition to some new trinket shelves? In that case, we’d definitely suggest thinking about whether or not these DIY wall mounted plywood shelves with larger platforms near the bottom might give you everything you need! Home Made Modern has all the steps for making it happen.

7. DIY string and wood floating shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

Maybe you’re actually in the market for something a little smaller and more minimalist looking, since you only have a few trinkets that don’t have homes yet, but you’re still intent on making something quite unique? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Why Don’t You Make Me created these DIY string and wood floating shelves that hang just so against the wall in a way that’s completely stable but looks like it defies physics.

8. Simple DIY wooden floating shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Just in case you’re still in the market for something extremely simple but you’re also still hoping to give it an explicitly rustic chic or down home look, here’s a simple wooden shelf that has a bit more substance to its size and shape! Find out how shockingly simple it is to make a sizeable floating shelf from a large piece of darkly stained wood thanks to Disheveled to Delightful.

9. Even simpler changeable hexagon shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

Were you actually quite intrigued by the hexagonal design we showed you earlier on but you’ve also been wondering whether there might be an even simpler version out there that’s a little more customizable or easy to make fewer of and still have the piece look good individually? Then we’re pleased to tell you that your patience has paid off! Take a better look at Making Lemonade to see how they made these unstained wooden ones.

10. Dollar store picture frame turned trinket shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

Perhaps the idea we’ve shown you that’s caught your attention the best so far was actually the concept of making something from dollar store supplies because, even though you’re feeling intent on making new shelves, you’re also working on a budget? In that case, particularly if you like the idea of intentionally creating a sort of DIY vintage look, we’d absolutely encourage you to take a look at how Hanna Watkins DIY made this adorable trinket shelf from a dollar store photo frame, replacing the glass with stencilled wood.

11. Toilet paper roll leaning trinket shelf

VIEW IN GALLERY

If you’re going to make a trinket shelf completely from scratch, would you rather make something that’s both an opportunity to upcycled unused things and a budget-friendly project in terms of its supplies? Then we think you’ll get a real kick out of the way Red Ted Art made this cylinder filled trinket and toy frame from a shoe box lid and cut sections of empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls!

12. DIY wooden triangle shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

Just in case you’re still feeling very interested indeed in the idea of making a simply shaped wooden floating shelf that’s beginner-friendly but you just simply haven’t seen the shape that has grabbed and held your attention, here’s a great alternative for your consideration! Burkatron outlines all the steps you’ll need to follow to create these simple triangle shaped shelves that look great whichever way you orient them on the wall.

13. Popsicle stick hexagon shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

What if we told you that there was another way to make those awesome hexagonal shelves you love so much but in a way that’s a little more crafty and a little less based in woodworking? Well, that’s precisely what Succy Crafts is here to show you how to do! Take a better look at their tutorial to see how they made the right shape using popsicle crafting sticks stacked carefully end to end in layers.

14. Wall mounted cigar box shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

Have we actually still got you thinking about the idea of doing a big of upcycling in order to make your trinket shelves but you’re still interested in using much smaller things than most of the repurposed ideas you’ve seen so far? Then start keeping an eye out for and collecting old wooden cigar boxes like you might see in thrift stores and turn them into little floating shelves just like you see on Make and Do Crew!

15. DIY wooden house trinket shelves

VIEW IN GALLERY

Is the wall space you’re thinking of filling with trinkets actually in your child’s bedroom or playroom so you’ve been scrolling through our list hoping to come across something that’s a little more kid-friendly in its shape and aesthetic? In that case, we have a feeling this last idea from Fun 365 might be precisely what you’re looking for! Take a better look at their instructions to see how these adorable little plywood house shelves were made in just a few simple steps.

Have you made another kind of fantastic trinket shelf before that you were very happy with indeed but that you don’t see here on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!

MUST DO DIYs