DIY Alcove Shelf from Scrap Wood
Step-by-step guide made from DIY With Emma's YouTube video.
This project demonstrates how to build a simple, sturdy shelf in an alcove using scrap wood. The creator builds a support frame from wooden battens, attaches it to the plasterboard wall, and then adds top, bottom, and front panels to create a finished floating shelf.
- Difficulty: beginner
- Finished size: 59cm W x 39cm D
Safety
- Always wear safety glasses when operating power saws and drills.
- Ensure the workspace is clear of clutter and tripping hazards before starting.
- Unplug power tools before changing blades or bits.
Must know before you build
- Mark cuts on the 'keep' side of the line to account for saw blade kerf.
- Use robust plasterboard anchors; battens won't hold weight with standard screws.
- Countersink all batten screws to ensure panels sit flush without gaps.
- Meticulously level support battens with a spirit level to prevent a crooked shelf.
- Achieve straight panel cuts on MDF/plywood using a circular saw with a guide.
- Install the front MDF trim last to conceal all raw panel edges.
Tools
- Miter saw
- Circular saw (Cordless, DeWalt, 18V)
- Circular saw guide (Kreg, Rip-Cut) (optional)
- Impact driver (Cordless, DeWalt, 18V)
- Countersink drill bit
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Hammer
- Filler scraper (optional)
Materials
- Wood battens (3)
- Plywood sheet (1, Plywood)
- MDF board (1, MDF)
- Plasterboard anchors
- Wood screws
- Small wood screws
- Small nails
- Instant filler (Ready to use instant filler, Bartoline, 330g e)
- Wood filler (All-purpose wood filler, DAP, 16 fl oz (473 mL))
Step by step
Step 1: Select Materials
Select scrap wood pieces for the shelf, including thicker wood for the top, thinner board for the bottom and front, and square battens for the supports.
- Find Wood for Supports. Locate several pieces of square-edged scrap wood to use as the shelf's internal support battens.
- Select Wood for Panels. Choose a thicker piece of plywood or solid wood for the top shelf surface, and a thinner sheet of MDF or hardboard for the bottom and front face.
Step 2: Measure and Cut Shelf Supports
Measure and cut three wooden battens to length using a miter saw to serve as the shelf's support structure.
- Calculate and Mark the Depth Support. Measure the thickness of the front trim piece (8mm). Subtract this from the total shelf depth (39cm) to get the length for the side support battens (38.2cm). Mark this length on a batten.
- Cut the Side Supports. Using a miter saw, cut two side support battens to the marked length. Align the mark just to the side of the blade to preserve the full length.
- Tip: When lining up your cut, place the pencil mark just to the left of the blade (on the side of the wood you're keeping) to ensure the piece isn't accidentally cut short.
- Calculate and Mark the Back Support. Measure the width of your side support battens (3.5cm). Subtract this from the total shelf width (59cm) to determine the length of the back support batten (55.5cm). Mark this on your remaining batten.
- Common mistake: The creator subtracts the width of only one side batten (59 - 3.5 = 55.5), but you should subtract the width of both (59 - 7 = 52) for a perfect fit. She later trims this piece to fit.
- Cut the Back Support. Cut the back support batten to length on the miter saw.
Step 3: Prepare Supports for Mounting
Drill pilot holes and use a countersink bit to create recesses for the screw heads on all three support battens.
- Drill and Countersink Holes. Using a countersink drill bit, drill several pilot holes through each of the three support battens. This creates a pilot hole for the screw and a recess for the screw head to sit flush.
Step 4: Mount the Supports to the Wall
Use a spirit level to position the support battens on the wall, mark the hole locations, install plasterboard anchors, and securely screw the battens into place.
- Mark Support Locations. Hold a support batten against the wall, place a spirit level on top, and adjust until it's level. Use a pencil to mark through the pre-drilled holes onto the wall.
- Install Plasterboard Anchors. Drill holes at your marked locations on the wall. Screw in self-drilling plasterboard anchors until they are flush with the wall surface.
- Tip: Pre-drilling a small pilot hole before installing the plasterboard anchors can make them easier to screw in and prevent them from chipping the plaster.
- Attach Supports to Wall. Align the support battens with the installed anchors and drive wood screws through the battens into the anchors. Repeat for all three support pieces.
Step 5: Assemble the Shelf Box
Place the top and bottom panels onto the mounted supports, secure them with screws, and cut and attach the front trim piece.
- Cut Top and Bottom Panels. Measure the dimensions of your installed frame and transfer them to your plywood (top) and MDF (bottom) sheets. Use a circular saw with a guide to cut the panels to size.
- Attach Top and Bottom Panels. Place the top and bottom panels onto the support frame. Drill pilot holes and secure the panels to the supports with small screws.
- Measure, Cut, and Attach Front Trim. Measure the height of the assembled shelf front (5.5cm). Cut a strip of MDF to this height and attach it to the front of the shelf using small nails and a hammer.
- Tip: Using small nails (panel pins) is less likely to split the thin MDF than using screws.
Step 6: Fill and Finish
Apply filler and caulk to all gaps, nail holes, and seams to create a smooth, finished surface ready for sanding and painting.
- Fill Gaps with Caulk/Filler. Apply a bead of caulk or instant filler along the seams where the shelf meets the wall. Smooth it with your finger for a clean transition.
- Fill Nail Holes with Wood Filler. Use wood filler to cover all the nail holes on the front trim and any screw holes or imperfections on the top surface. Scrape it flat with a putty knife.