Building a 2×4 bookshelf is a fun weekend project. It requires using basic tools and supplies you can buy at a local home improvement store. You’ll be able to complete one in just a few hours, depending on your skills.
Building a 2×4 shelf is the easy part. The hard part is choosing the perfect spot for it, arranging your DVDs and books, and then keeping up with the constant barrage of alphabetized DVDs, self-help books and magazines that are threatening to overtake your home… or so we’ve been told. If a tremendous library of self-help reads isn’t something you plan to tackle any time soon, I would still highly recommend getting a 2×4 shelf to hold your movies. It’s an inexpensive way to get some extra storage in your home (and it will look nice).
How to build a 2×4 shelf
2×4 free-standing shelving plans, how to build shelves on a wall, 2×4 shelf brackets, diy storage shelves
Here’s a simple shelf project that will add some extra storage space to your home. You’ll need just a few tools and about an hour of time for this project.
Build the Shelf Frame
Cut two pieces of 2×4 lumber to the desired length of your shelf frame. These will be cut from one piece of lumber by cutting it in half lengthwise using a miter saw.
Measure out the distance between the two cuts you made in the 2×4 lumber and mark it with a pencil. This will be the width of your shelf frame when you’re done building it.
Attach two additional pieces of 2×2 lumber at each end of your 2×4 frame so they line up with what will be the top and bottom edges of your shelf once it’s built. Secure these pieces with wood screws or nails (or both).
Attach Hooks to Your Shelf Frame
Use 1/8 inch thick metal strips or angle iron as hooks for hanging items on your new shelf. The strips
These plans are for a simple 2X4 shelf that can be built in about an hour. The shelf is made from 2X4’s and plywood. You can use any size or thickness of plywood you like (1/2″ or 3/4″, etc).
To build this shelf you’ll need: 2X4 lumber (8 feet long), some screws or nails (1 1/2″ long), and some 1/4″ plywood (whatever size you want). I used 3/4″ plywood for this project but if you want thicker shelves then you can use 1/2″ plywood instead.
The total cost of materials was less than $25.
Building a 2×4 shelf is the perfect DIY project for anyone who wants to add extra storage space to their home.
This simple and affordable DIY project is a great way to add extra storage space to your home.
For this project you will need:
2×4 lumber
Shelving brackets (or wall mounts)
Nails/screws (optional)
How to build a 2×4 shelf. This video will show you how to build a shelf using 2x4s. This shelving unit is great for storing items that are too tall or heavy for a normal bookshelf or cabinet. It’s also very easy to make and can be completed in less than an hour.
DIY Woodworking Projects – How To Build A 2×4 Shelf
I have wanted to make my own wood shelves for a long time but I’m not really sure where to start. I know that there are some good tutorials out there but I would like something that shows me what tools I need, what materials and how much time it will take me from start to finish. Do you have any suggestions?
There are many ways to build a shelf. You can buy them, but they’re expensive and usually don’t look that great. You can build your own shelves, which is what we’re going to do here.
The key to making something like this work is using the right materials and tools. You’ll want to build it out of 2x4s, but you can use larger ones if you have them (3″x5″ or 4″x6″). I think 2x4s are just about perfect for this sort of thing: not too big and not too small. Also, make sure you use good quality wood that won’t split easily when you screw into it! There’s nothing worse than having your shelf fall apart on you because the wood was cheap and flimsy.
Here are some other things you’ll need:
screws (you’ll probably want at least 10 per shelf)
wood glue (if you don’t already have some)
a drill with a drill bit that’s slightly smaller than your screws’ diameter (e.g., 1/4″)
The best way to build your own DIY storage shelves is to start with the right plan. We’ve found these free-standing shelving plans to be the best guides for building your own set of custom shelves.
Free-Standing Shelving Plans
One of the most common questions we get asked by readers at FamilyHandyman.com concerns where they can find plans for building their own free-standing shelves.
How to Build Shelves on a Wall
If you want something other than freestanding, but still want some flexibility in how much space you use for storage, wall-mounted shelving may be the answer. These DIY wall shelf plans are good ones to start with if you want to build your own wall shelves.
2×4 Shelf Brackets
Another common question we get at FamilyHandyman is how to install brackets on 2x4s so that they will support heavy items like books and DVDs without bowing down too much under their weight. Here are some great ideas:
DIY Storage Shelf Plans
This page contains several free DIY storage shelf plans. These plans are designed to help you build your own storage shelves. You can use these plans to build a 2×4 free-standing shelving unit or build a shelf on a wall. The plans include how to build shelves with 2x4s and 2x6s, as well as how to make adjustable shelf brackets. There are also plans for building a floating shelf if you don’t want your shelves attached directly to the wall.
DIY storage shelves are a great way to add extra storage space and make a small room look bigger. You can build these shelves out of 2x4s, which is what I used for my DIY pantry shelving. The best part about these plans is that they are free!
DIY 2×4 Free Standing Shelves:
This is the easiest way to build free standing shelves. All you need is four 2x4s and some hardware to put them together. You will also need some brackets if you have an uneven wall or floor.
How To Build Shelf Brackets:
If your walls aren’t level or don’t have joists in the right places then you may need shelf bracket supports. These brackets will keep your shelves at the right height and keep them from falling over as well.
There are tons of DIY storage shelf plans out there, but this one is special because it’s strong, simple and inexpensive. This shelf can be built in any size or shape you need, and it’s perfect for storing just about anything.
There are three main components to building this shelf: (1) the frame; (2) the brackets that hold the frame together; and (3) the plywood that covers those brackets.
The first step is to build a box out of 2x4s. The best way to do this is by using pocket holes and screws to join the pieces together. If you don’t have a pocket hole jig, read this article on how to make one at home for less than $10.
The next step is to attach the brackets onto each end of your box. You’ll need two brackets on each end — one for each side of your box. We used 1/2″ plywood for our brackets, but you could also use 3/8″ plywood or even MDF if you don’t mind going through a few more steps during assembly (see below).
Once your brackets are attached, it’s time to cover them with some nice-looking plywood! We went with a 5/8″
DIY storage shelves can be a great way to add extra storage to your home. They are also very easy to build, and you can customize them to meet your needs.
You can build a simple set of DIY storage shelves in an afternoon, or spend more time on them if you want to make them more elaborate. The materials for these storage shelves are very inexpensive, and the plans for building them are easy to follow.
What You Need To Build DIY Storage Shelves
The things that you need to build DIY storage shelves depend on how elaborate you want them to be, but there are some basic tools that you need regardless of what type of shelving system you choose. For example:
Power drill/screwdriver combo (preferably cordless)
Hammer or mallet
Tape measure/ruler (to mark measurements)
Pencils/markers (for marking measurements).