Happy New Year friends!
I’m so thrilled to have you here reading the first official blog post!
2018 was a year full of new DIY projects & updates as we settled in to our new home. If you follow me on Instagram you already know that my top project(s) of the past year were these oh so simple bracket shelves.
I loved them so much that I used them to update three different spaces in our home (two bathrooms and the laundry room). You can create the same look in your own home for a very modest cost. The best thing about this style is that it can be completely customized to fit your space and color scheme using the board style and color/finish of your choice. You could even spray paint the brackets in a fun color to coordinate with your space.
Supplies Needed
***Big thanks to Walmart for sponsoring this post! I have been monetarily compensated for my work, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. We only share what we love here, and as always, thank you for your support!***
- Brackets
- From Hobby Lobby, and come in two sizes. Small and Large. Wait until they’re half price for an even better deal (usually every other week). Small will fit an 8 inch board and large will fit a 12 inch board (remember that lumber dimensions are smaller than their actual name).
- Hobby Lobby online sells out on these often. If you can’t find in stores here is another option from Home Depot by Crate & Pallet that I used in my laundry room. Heavier duty than the others, but at a higher price point.
- Common Board
- Use a 1x size for thinner shelves or a 2x size for a chunkier look (mine are 2 x 8 common board using the small size bracket)
- Stud Finder
- This one is under $10, and is the only one I use. Hits the stud every single time, with no annoying beeping and no need to replace batteries.
- Wall screws
- These Wall Dog 2-in1 anchor screws are fantastic if you aren’t able to line your studs up perfectly and/or don’t want to use wall anchors. Just be sure not to over tighten.
- Level
- Sandpaper
- Drill & Bits
- This is the drill I use and it does well. Having the spare battery on hand is nice when it dies mid project too.
- Stain or paint of your choice
- Mine are stained in Old Barn Milk Paint’s Weathered Stain
- Another favorite quick dry stain is Varathane Fast Dry
Step One: Prep your boards
I chose to use 2 x 8 common board cut to length for my space. Common board can have a slight yellow tint to it at times, and can be a little rough. I sanded mine down well with a 120 grit paper followed by a 220 grit paper then applied my stain. I used to coats of the weathered stain, and distressed slightly with 220 grit again after the application.
There are so many ways to customize these from stain, to paint, even left raw with a good sealer would be beautiful!
Step two: Hang the Brackets
If you’ll be placing anything of significant weight on these shelves you’ll want to try and find a stud first. If it lines up correctly, pre dill your holes and secure the bracket to the wall. Because I wanted mine evenly spaced, I wasn’t always able to do this. These WallDog self anchoring screws are a breeze. They serve as both an anchor and screw into drywall when you can’t find the stud, and can hold a good amount of weight. Just be sure to not over tighten. TIP: When hanging your second bracket be sure to level from the top or bottom of the actual bracket vs. lining up the screw holes. Not all brackets are created equal, and the screw holes will not always line up evenly.
Step Three: Place your shelves
Once your brackets are hung and level the final step is to place your boards. Space them evenly on your brackets and check for level. Bonus points if you’ve got a cute helper like I did. ; )
There are two additional holes on the underside of the bracket that allow you to attach them to the boards if you choose to do so. I would recommend pre-drilling before doing so as to not split the board. I left mine un-attached for now.
That’s it!! Now comes the fun part of decorating! Using baskets and bins to conceal every day items makes for a functional but pretty space! Here are a couple of my favorite budget friendly items. (Click on the image to shop)
This is a GREAT naptime or weekend project to dress up a small space. If you tackle this one be sure to share a photo of your complete project and tag me @themartinnest on Facebook and Instagram!
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