How To Build A Rustic Shelf

Wondering where to put all the extra crockery occupying your kitchen slab or to tidy the mess extra books are causing on your study table or to have a place to put some decoration pieces or your trophies in your drawing room? Well a wall hanging shelf will be a perfect solution without occupying any space in your already packed room or kitchen. You can easily hang this in your kitchen or above your study table or in corner in your drawing room.

You can buy one from the market but that can be costly, so why not make one yourself which would be cheaper and better. This easy step by step tutorial will guide you how to make a rustic wall shelf.

So are you ready to have this cool and space efficient shelf of your own.

So let’s get started!!

Materials Needed To Build a Rustic Shelf

You will need the following for making this shelf

• Galvanized steel piping
  • 1) Two ½” floor flanges
  • 2) Two ½” pipes (12” length)
  • 3) Two ½” caps
  • 4) Four ½” two hole pipe straps
• ½” wood screws
• 1”x 12” board(desired length)
• Black spray-paint& paint primer
• Pencil for marking
• Measuring tape
• Wood cutter
• Screw driver(drilling machine)
• Hammer or iron rod
• Stain
• Polyurethane
• Sanding block

You can find all these items from a hardware store or online store. To build a strong shelf buy only good quality materials for this you can research online about the products needed for your project. Buy only from a trusted seller.

Step by Step Instructions For How To Build a Rustic Shelf

Once you have got all the materials, you’re ready to start DIY rustic shelf project. Follow this tutorial step by step to build a stylish wall attached shelf.

Step 1: Measure, Mark and Cut Wood

First of all measure and cut your board to the desired length of your shelf, in this tutorial we are taking 30” long

Use a wood cutter to cut your wooden board of desired measurement

Now for a rustic distressed look hammer the board or beat it with the iron rod

Now sand the board down with the sanding block

Brush all the saw dust from the board with a cloth

Read more tips below or move to the next step.

Pro Tips

• Use a work bench to secure the lumber so that it doesn’t move while cutting.
• Always wear safety glasses and goggles.
• Use a sharp 2H pencil for proper marking on the wood.
• When marking a line, hold the pencil such that there is no space between the pencil and the measuring device.
• If you are using a tape measure, be sure to hook its one end firmly to the wood’s edge.
• When using a table saw to cut the wood, keep the blade a little high for a cleaner cut.
• Use small teeth blade to achieve a much smoother edge.
• If you are still unable to cut the wood in the perfect size, just cut it a little bit oversize, and then trim to the right dimensions.

Step 2: Staining and Finishing of Wooden Block

Now take a cloth or brush and stain the wooden block

Make sure you cover all the sides. Wait for a while so that it dries and then apply polyurethane, apply a few coats to get a better finish

Read more tips below or move to the next step.

Pro Tips

• Use a dust mask or respirator to protect your eyes and skin while staining and finishing the table
• Always test stain on a piece of scrap wood before starting on the furniture.
• Always apply a thin coat of wood conditioner first, by a brush befor applying stain to avoid blotches. leave the conditioner about 15 minutes to dry before applying the stain
• Apply stain with a brush or a rag, depending on preference.,you can work both with the grain and against it. being neat is not an issue just get a nice, even coat
• For darker stain apply more stain.
• The stain is only color provider you will have to use finish for better protection.
• Stir the stain can properly before opening it
• Use a good quality polyurethane finish material for long lasting protection of your coffee table.
• For protection against water and chemicals, use clear finishes.

Step 3: Joining and Painting the Piping

Arrange floor flanges, caps and pipes like this

Now screw them together

Spray the piping completely so that it’s covered completely in paint along with the pipe straps

Wait for everything to get dried completely, the collection of items will look like this

Read more tips below or move to the next step.

Pro Tips

• While spray painting work in a ventilated area
• Thoroughly clean the surrounding area or else dust particles can fly around and settle on the painted surface when it is still wet.
• It is important to remove all rust before you spray paint a metal surface. Using sandpaper or a wire brush, scrub out all the rust and then wipe the surface clean
• Primer is very important when painting a metal surface. In you don’t apply primer, the paint will not adhere to the metal, which increases chances of forming rust and let the paint to peel off.
• Using a good quality primer which compatible with metal and the paint you plan to use is advisable.
• Test the paint first before applying it on the furniture and also try a coat in hardboard so that you can see whether it is landing smoothly on the surface or not.
• Hold the spray paint can at the proper distance. If you hold it too closely then their will be thick coats and holding it far will cause uneven layers.
• Avoid applying thick coats of spray paint. You achieve better coverage by using thin coats and repeating the application until you achieve the desired results.

Step 4: Fixing pipe on wooden board

Pace the pipes on the board so that they are evenly spaced from the edges i.e. 3” from the edge of shelf

Now place the pipe straps. By using 1/2” screws fasten the straps to the board. Use drill machine for securing the screws

Now your rustic shelf is ready, it will look something like this

Pro Tips

• Use the drill machine carefully to ensure safety.
• Always use wood screws. They have a high-incline thread and a pronounced tip. The shank is cylindrical or conical.
• (Cordless) screwdrivers and (cordless) drill/drivers are ideal for screw driving. If you only need to drive screws occasionally, you can also use a drill.

YouTube Video:

Here is the link to the source YouTube video that inspired and helped us to write this wonderful step by step tutorial for building a rustic shelf.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtUdAO0X0Yo

The video was created and uploaded by The Rehab Life. One of their team members narrates the step by step process in the video.

Helpful tips

• If you have no previous woodworking experience, start with smaller projects like drilling in woods, attaching two wood pieces together, etc.
• Learn as much as you can about the woodworking craft before you start this project.
• Use only good quality tools and materials.
• Be very much careful when using the wood cutter, drilling machine, and other such tools.