DIYer Shares an Easy Way to Build Custom Floating Shelves
Even a narrow stretch of wall can hold a lot. Stacked bowls. Glass jars filled with coffee beans. A row of mugs sitting beside a stack of favorite books.
Floating shelves fit naturally into spaces like that, especially when they're built directly into the wall rather than bought in a standard size.
Creator @stayathomewoodworks on TikTok shared a method for building custom floating shelves between cabinets using hidden brackets, plywood panels and solid wood trim. Once installed, the shelves sit flush against the cabinetry with the same clean lines and warm wood tones running across the entire wall.
Once finished, you can style the shelves however you like: Cutting boards leaned against the backsplash, bowls stacked in soft neutral colors, glassware catching light from the nearby window, books lined up or stacked. Everything stays visible and easy to reach without feeling crowded.
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The Shelves Are Built Around the Exact Space
Each shelf is measured and cut to fit the opening between the cabinets, giving the finished project a fitted, built-in appearance.
The process begins with support brackets securely anchored to the wall. From there, plywood panels are cut for the top and bottom of each shelf based on the exact dimensions of the space.
Once positioned over the supports, the pieces are clamped tightly in place and secured from the back, keeping the fasteners hidden.
@stayathomewoodworks This is one way to do floating shelves between 2 objects (cabinets or walls). #woodworking#floatingshelves#howto#cabinets#woodworkingtips
original sound - Stay At Home Woodworks
The shelves end up looking substantial without feeling heavy against the wall.
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How the DIY Floating Shelves Come Together
For the front edge, the creator uses solid wood trim rather than exposed plywood.
Each trim board gets cut with a rabbet groove sized to fit around the plywood panels on the top and bottom of the shelf. Wood glue helps hold everything together before the trim pieces are pressed into place.
That extra step gives the shelves a smooth finished edge once stained or sealed. From the front, the shelves appear to be solid wood, with clean, continuous lines across the surface.
The hidden brackets disappear entirely beneath the shelves, leaving the shelves floating neatly between the cabinets.
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Shelves Turn An Empty Wall Into Useful Storage
Open shelving creates space in rooms where the items being stored already have shape and texture on their own: ceramic bowls, glass jars, books, and other knick-knacks and tchotchkes. The shelves create extra storage while keeping the wall open and light.
The entire project feels approachable because the focus stays on precise fitting and straightforward assembly rather than overly complicated woodworking techniques.
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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 8:01 AM.