- 1). Work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to contain the sawdust mess and fumes from paint or finish. Garages and sheds work well for building the shelf.
- 2). Measure the space in the room where the shelf will be placed. The shelf can be narrow and tall, or broad and short. Each individual piece of lumber needs to be at least 7 to 10 inches wide.
- 3). Measure out two pieces of lumber of equal length for the sides of the shelf. Each piece should be at least 7 to 10 inches wide and tall enough to fit the space you measured.
- 4). Cut out the pieces of lumber for the sides. Sand the edges, if necessary, to smooth out any rough edges.
- 5). Measure out a piece of lumber for the bottom of the shelf. A top piece is optional, but not necessary for the shelf. If one is desired, it should be the same length as the bottom.
- 6). Cut out the pieces of lumber using a saw. Sand the edges of the top and bottom shelf pieces to remove any splintered portions.
- 7). Decide how many shelves you want for your shelf unit. There should be at least 5 inches of space between each shelf, and each shelf should be as long as the top and bottom pieces of the shelf.
- 8). Cut out and sand each of the shelves before assembling the shelving unit.
- 9). Place one of the side pieces flush against the bottom to form a 90-degree angle. Attach the two pieces using 2-inch nails. Hammer in one nail every 3 to 5 inches along the wood.
- 10
Attach the other side piece the same way so that the bottom of the shelf is completed. If one is being used, place the top piece flush with the tops of the sides and attach it using 2-inch nails. - 11
Measure out the location of each shelf inside the shelf frame, leaving at least 5 inches between each one. - 12
Make sure each shelf is level before attaching it. Hammer 2-inch nails through the side of the shelf and into the shelves to attach them to the frame. - 13
Paint or stain the shelving unit before using it. Allow the paint or stain to dry for 48 hours before touching or moving the shelf into the house.
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