Introduction
I built a shelf like this one about 25 years ago. I made mine by cutting dadoes instead of “building” them like you see here. The method shown here adds strength and stability and simplifies the build.
While the shelf appears light, it’s capable of holding a lot of decor or even indoor plants. Mine lacks a nailer strip like this one to fasten it to the wall, so I can place it anywhere I want without locating the studs. Fastening it to the studs is safer, though.
The shelf can be made of any species wood you like, as long as you can find it in plywood and iron-on edgebanding. The dimensions and shelf spacing are given for this project, but all of it can be customized to suit your preferences.
Cutting List
| KEY | QTY. | PART | DIMENSIONS |
| A | 2 | Uprights | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 76-1/2″ |
| B | 2 | Foot shelf blocks | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 3″ |
| C | 4 | Tall shelf blocks | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 14-1/4″ |
| D | 4 | Medium shelf blocks | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ |
| E | 2 | Short shelf blocks | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ |
| F | 2 | Top shelf blocks | 3/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ |
| G | 1 | Shelf 1 | 3/4″ x 16-5/8″ x 30″ |
| H | 1 | Shelf 2 | 3/4″ x 14″ x 30″ |
| J | 1 | Shelf 3 | 3/4″ x 11-1/2″ x 30″ |
| K | 1 | Shelf 4 | 3/4″ x 9-1/4″ x 30″ |
| L | 1 | Shelf 5 | 3/4″ x 7″ x 30″ |
| M | 1 | Shelf 6 | 3/4″ x 5″ x 30″ |
| N | 1 | Nailer strip | 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ x 28-1/2″ |
| P | 1 | Support block | 1-1/2″ x 3″ x 10″ |
Overall dimensions: 75-in. H x 31-1/2-in. W x 16-1/2-in. D
