How I Make Simple Floating Alcove Shelves (no nailgun)
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Here's a video of some simple alcove shelves I made for a customer. They're 12" deep and around 1.3m wide. This is the simple method that doesn't involve using a nail gun. Normally for speed I'd use a nail gun for projects like this. These are fully enclosed 'floating' shelves with no visible brackets. The customer wanted them left unfinished so they could paint them themselves. These shelves have an 18mm MDF top, 6mm MDF bottom and are supported by 20mm timber bracing, making a total thickness of 44mm which was appropriate for the width to avoid sagging. Enjoy and don't forget to Subscribe!
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#Handyman #DIY #Shelves
Thank you. Just made some using this method. They went surprisingly well. Made 4 shelves and only spent £30 on a sheet of MDF and managed to salvage some thick bed slats from an old bed for batons.
managed to build set of 3 alcove shelves watching this video. I'm really pleased with how they look. thanks for the video
Excellent video. I'm thinking about building shelves in an alcove and this video has reassured me that I don't need to pay someone to do it for me. Love the speeding up and the sound effects too. Both instructional AND entertaining.
What a brilliant video - now I finally know how floating shelves are made: always wondered!
A no nonsense great video. Built some lovely shelves off the back of watching this.
Cheers buddy! 👍
This is a great idea over the other versions of floating shelves. Thanks for an in depth video. 5:28
We always give it a prime before caulking in the decorating trade so you get good adhesion to the timber. In time the caulk will peel and come away from unprimed wood/mdf.
Prime what? If you prime before caulk, you are adding a layer between the wood and the caulk which will in time make it even more likely to peel and come away.
@@ts7844 wrong.
@@ts7844 that’s not how priming works
@@ts7844you’re wrong.
Hello! Massive thank you for this video and thanks for the one on how to template the shelves aswell. Will be doing this using 12mm and 6mm ply with 18mm ply strips cut to 20mm for the battens as it's what I've got. A faultless job and video. Very lean indeed. Exactly what I needed
It would be nice if at the start of yr vids you just showed a spread of the tools you're about to use laid out so we can literally just quickly buy any we're missing, line them up in the workspace and follow along picking up each one. It feels stupid to request more out of you tho cos the vid is the best DIY vid I've ever actually seen, loved it cheers.
Yes..and fixings.
I made these shelves this weekend using your instructions and it worked perfectly! Thanks
Tremendous job and made me rethink my initial idea. Very useful thanks
Love your dust catcher its genius!
Cheers! Here's a vid of it: ruclips.net/video/hT1JJ3DpeJ0/видео.html 👍
Ohh. My. Goodness! I need this. Shelves = storage. Storage not on the floor = space saver and happy momma 😄♥️🙏🏼 1:25
This dude gets paid by the nanosecond! 🤣 seriously though, thanks for the video. I’ve just put two shelves up using this as a tutorial. All the best.
I wished I could work that fast!
Exellent Video. What size screws and rawplugs did you use for attaching the wooden baton to the wall please ?
I loved the finishing. So neat.
Beautiful job. Thank you for showing us how it’s done…..properly. 👍😃
Hi is this a load bearing wall or hollow wall? How much weight can the shelves hold?
Great video and great channel. Between this, your scribing video and painting MDF video I've just finished 4 fantastic alcove shelves.
Awesome stuff - well done! 👍🛠
Looks great!
Don’t suppose you have a sort of guide/instructions to completing this?
Nice and simple thank you thank you.
I’ve just built a set of alcove shelves based on this video! Amazing advice, thank you. They look great. Trying to work out if I can post a photo here hmm. I added a cupboard to the bottom of it 👌
Did you use any instructions on how to add the cupboard?
With that attention to detail l would let you work in my house anytime......excellent work mate!!
Thank you I think I can make one (I hope), I have a very small space at my rent house, I don’t know where to put my things especially those rarely I used, but there are exactly space like you’re working in the video, I think I can make one but wider so that I can put large boxes there.
The Heath Robinson dust collector is a great little addition to your tool armoury...😉
Are you able to share how you measured the walls for fit the shelves flush? I didn’t see you scribe. Apologies I’m new to this!
very clean and precise
this guy works so quick!😀
Nice one. About to copy this exactly 😅
Ha cool - wow, this is an old vid!! 😂👍
Especially liked the end supports cut on the 45. I am using 15” W material for the shelf so added support is good!@
Solid vid, cheers for taking the time to post this. That's my weekend sorted!
Cheers bud!
Fantastic video! I’m curious about how much weight these shelves will hold. I want to build something like this to hold my books and I’m not sure if it will be strong enough.
Hi, did you ever find out how much weight they will hold?
@@alexhall6943 No, I ended up using a different method for a built-in. I don't think this particular shelf in the video would have held all the weight from books. Something similar to this: cdn.homedit.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DIY-built-in-shelves.jpg
Hi. Thank you for the video. Excellent for greenhorn like me. Can you tell me what materials you used? Did you get the shelves ready cut off the shelf or did you cut it down?. I want to replicate what you did. My problem is no matter how accurate I think I measure, it is always a few mm off. What am I doing wrong?. By off I mean a tiny bit too small. Any advice would be really helpful. Thank you...👍
Just come across this video. Very informative, thankyou!
Very good video. In my case, we would like to install glass shelves within our alcove which is similar dimensions to the alcove you used. Do you have any recommendations regarding the approach we should take? Thank you.
These are beautiful, excellent video👍🏼
Looks like you used drywall anchors, is that correct? I’m looking to build something similar in an alcove that’s about double that width. Should the supports be anchored directly to the studs?
I have never seen such beautiful work, how can anyone vote against this.......I would give my right arm to have these built in my house.....well, that doesn't make much sense.
thank you
Thank you Helene!
Thanks! Great video. I want to build shelves just like this in my closet 50cm deep and 138cm wide. Could I use the same materials and would it hold, say 50kg per shelf? Would it help to add another piece in the middle front to back?
Super video, easy to follow and very well done, thank you.
This video is soooo good. Quick question - How did you get the width of the front piece of wood to match the width of the frame?
Thorough to the core !!!
How much weight would a shelf like this be able to take? Thanks
Great video! This has helped me a lot so thank you very much!
Just a quick question though, if I’m using hardwood ply instead of mdf for the top and bottoms, what timber should I use for the front facing piece? This is in relation to getting a nice consistent colour from staining the wood.
Please and thank you. 🙏
Cut a piece of the ply and use that for the face piece?
@@elobiretv
Thanks for the response, I actually did this in the end. I had to buy strips of birch wood “tape” and iron them onto the edges of the front facing pieces so the layers of ply weren’t visible. After staining they turned out pretty good although if I were to do it again I would use a different wood than ply - only reason I used it to begin with was because they were 1.4m length so ply was better for load bearing across bigger spans than soft woods
Strong Edward Norton vibes in this one
Sorry if this is a silly question, I couldn't tell. Are you drilling into the studs, or trying to avoid them? Thanks
Nice drilldust catcher...I'm stealing me that idea!
Hey, this is a great video, thank you! I'm going to attempt to make some this week, but wondered what wall plugs you used for this? They don't look like the red fischers... Thanks!
11 months on, and still waiting for a reply.
This video is incredibly helpful, thank you. Do you think I could do this one alcoves that are 2m wide?
The longest I've done without additional internal bracing is 1.8m. 2m is pushing it but depends what you're putting on them. 👍
@@GosforthHandyman OK, what internal bracing would suggest?
Really enjoyed your video thinking of having a go myself just need to learn how to use a measuring tape. Everything else I can do great vid
Ha ha - here you go, how to use a tape measure properly! ruclips.net/video/Bbmr5Uf9fF8/видео.html 👍
Great video Andy, massive fan of your channel. One question though - why did you use timber for your front trim fascia strip, rather than say MDF to give a smoother finish? Wouldn't the timber frame provide sufficient support to prevent sagging?
I think the timber provides additional strength to the shelving in n order to prevent sagging
you are an hard working lady; claps for you that's wonderfull, thanks a lot im going to try 1:47
Great video, really interesting to see how you frame it. What thickness size timber and mdf did you use. It was a great idea to use the lath at the front. Painting mdf end grain can be a real issue.
Brilliant Video
Worth watching just for the hilarious speeded up sound effects! Perfect shelves tho!
Cheers for this, exactly what I wanted to do but wasn’t entirely sure how.
I’ve just made a start and attached the frame, it’s an outside wall (lates 80’s build semi) and I figured it would be brick but my masonry bit went through like butter. Do you know what it’s likely to be? I’ve used those those Duopower plugs and 5x60 screws.. do you think that will suffice?
you did a great job. thanks for posting.
Hi Gosforth, can you share which cable detector you used checking the wall with? I don’t know which one to get
life changing.....lol super easy thanks!
Really great video. Taking on almost the exact same project. Can I just ask, the height of the bracing is obviously 20mm to make up the 44mm total but what is the width? Can only find in a 15mm width and wondering if this is too thin, will be putting heavy books and vinyl records on shelves. This video has helped so much. Thanks again.
Sorry, seen previous comments and question answered. Thanks again.
Hello are the battens you’re using 20mm x 20mm? Thanks!
Thorough clean job.
These are the jobs which can be a bit tricky to price
What did you price for that
Top job!
Great job
Great video that has a bespoke cabinet maker 34 years carpenters use screws and when field will move and show the filler surely opinion gun is a tiny little hole that will not be shown as much as screws
Brilliant video. I'm attempting to tackle 8 of these, 4 either side of my chimney. Can I ask, I'm finding it hard to source 20x20 timber for the skeleton, do you think 34x34 will be fine? And also do you think an MDF facia will be fine as opposed to the timber one you use? Thanks
Cheers! I rip my own 18x20 strips from 18x94 planks (or whatever). MDF fascia will work but you'll have MDF edge grain to deal with on the top and bottom. Plus timber is a bit stronger so adds to the support of the shelf.
How strong are these shelves strong enough to be filled with books?
Great video, really helping with the project. The alcoves i am building them for have a concrete wall along the back and only plaster board left and right, so no wood studs to screw into. obviously i am plugging the walls, will that be a problem for a heavy load?? I'm using 34mm x 44mm timber with 5mm x 60mm screws.
It'll *probably* be fine with decent fixings but I'd suggest also gluing the side bracings if you want to play safe. 👍
Thanks. Using RAWL UNO plugs, brown ones. All sides have been glued with NMN. My first project in the new house, just need the reassurance. Thanks again.
If it's glued it should be absolutely fine - for future reference, for anything heavy in plasterboard use expanding metal fittings with a setting tool - if you search for my projector install vid you'll see they type I mean. 👍
This looks great and easy. My question will this work for a space that is 54 inches long or will there be sagging?
Great vid
thank you for sharing
Really helpful video mate, thanks for the upload. When you're at the point of fixing the mdf tops to the bracing (about 3:50 into the vid), are you piloting into the timber beneath or are you just making a clearance hole through the mdf? Cheers!
Just a clearance hole through the MDF - the screws I use are self-drilling. 👍🛠
Beautiful work
Brilliant video, just wanted to know what wood you used on the front of the shelves and how thick it was. I'm Gonna give it a go
Looks like pine, you can get it in all shapes. The thickness is up to you depending on how you want your shelves to look. The top and bottom is MDF by the looks of it.
Hi, good tips in there, thanks.
What are the little metal brackets you attached to the front batten, and where can I find them?
Cheers Cain - I just use these, they're not structural and just hold the wood in place while the glue dries: www.screwfix.com/p/angle-braces-self-colour-19-x-19-x-1-2mm-50-pack/67412
Hi. How would you go about adding doors to open shelves?
Really great video.. thanks so much for making it ;)
Cheers for the comments!
Great video and neat work. I take it you used MDF for top and bottom panels? Just a suggestion, could the plant on front be 18mm MDF with a double Bull nose to give a softer edge?
Yeah totally - the pine is just a bit stiffer than MDF though so just helps overall to stop sagging, but you could certainly bullnose it prior to fitting. 👍👊
How much does it cost to hire a handyman to do this? I have found on EBay where to buy the hardwood shelves cut to size so I assume that would be separate cost. I am trying to figure out if this is something I could do myself or if it’s worth hiring someone.
Good job
Excellent! Thank you.
Thanks this is awesome!
Cheers for watching! 👍
Thank you!
Amazing video and replies. Thank you!
Thanks for the video Andy. Very useful. What are the brackets you used to screw the front batten on?
Did you ever find out??
add lighting to them and boom!
Nice video, how much did you charge them?
What fixing would you use to attach the timber bracing to plasterboard?
Great video great video
I like these videos but it would be good to see the finished products when they are all painted.
Ha - you're not the only one who wants to see the stuff all finished! Follow my Insta and if customers send me a finished pic I sometimes put it on there. Thanks for watching! 👍😄
Can you explain why so many screws are used on each
Part/section ?
Keith, I'm interested in putting up shelves in an alcove to hold some heavy books. How would I know if the shelves are strong enough. Heavier the weight, is it better to use more screws or longer screws or even thicker batons?
You can increase framework timber size and add additional webbing timber make a strong framework fixed in with plenty wall anchors
@@1petrofski
Excellent, thank you for the advice. Much appreciated.
Awesome video! You do nice work, and so neat too. You could do work in my house any day.
Really helpful video - thank you for putting this up. I have one question and would be grateful if you could help me - what was the substance you applied around the edges near the end - sealant or wood filler or something else? Cheers, Oliver
Hi Oliver - just caulk.
Decorators Caulk.
Awesome video!
Please I need your advice.
I'm planning to have this kind of work on my alcove
24" x 55"
I will use 1/2" MDF on the top, 1/4" MDF on the bottom, 3/4 wooden braces = 1.5" thick total.
Do you think I'm good with these? Thank you very much in advance.
It's a little thin for the span IMO - you could try ply on top instead of MDF, it's less inclined to sag (but can be problematic to paint). Make sure you clamp and glue everything - especially the front edge.
Thank you very much!!!
I have a space in the bathroom which I want to put shelves in. It is 55cm wide by 79cm deep.
We will be using them to store boxes/towels and the load is going to be fairly large. I don't want to end up with super thick shelves but at the same time I don't want them to give way/sag.
What wood for the floating element and top/bottom would you recommend and in what thickness?
I can't really comment on individual jobs but the floating shelves I make are 44mm thick. 👍
Thank you for your reply. Could you please confirm where you source your '20mm timber bracing' and what it is actually called?
I rip my own!
Now I understand why I cannot find anything with those dimensions. What is the original lumber you obtain to do this?
Hi what timber did you use
did you pre drill the support slats? you didnt show that
+Gosforth Handyman What size screws were you using? Also what is the bit called that drills the screw hole but also leaves a counter sink hole too? Cheers
Into the wall? Probably 10ga 3" screws (length tends to vary depending on what the wall is made of). Drill bit - I just know it as a countersink pilot bit... technically it's a clearance hole, not a pilot hole though (you can get bits that do countersink, clearance and pilot in one go).
Ok Thanks a lot.. Also I've been putting a materials list together for mine and cant find 20mm timber bracing anywhere - Tried B&Q, Wickes etc..? Thanks for vid.
I rip my own! You can go for smaller or bigger but then you'll not be able to use a standard 44mm trim on the front so swings & roundabouts m'fraid! :-)
I thought that may be the case.. I'm limited with tools though so may have to use my friends work shop for a few hours! Cheers.