Open Shelf Design

[Ken]

I'm building a simple open shelf to place my radio on in the garage. The shelf is 19" wide x 9 deep. I'm new at this so It will be a practice piece to work on some decoractive touches.

I am going to put a back on the shelf that is flush against the wall and extends down below the shelf. To this I will attach a few turned dowels to hang stuff on. Two shelf supports will be of the curved variety and brace the bottom of the shelf against the back support.

Given the size of the shelf itself, are there ratios that are used to come up with the size of the back piece that extends below the shelf? I'm thinking about two thirds the depth of the shelf.

I picked two thirds because it seems to be a ratio that is used alot - at least in the stuff that I have read.

Thanks

Ken

[Swingman]

Were it that simple ... good design has few rules, most of which are broken constantly and to good effect.

IOW, please your own eye ... in this case there is no structural reason for the ratio you've picked.

[RicodJour]

Hey Ken. It stopped being a simple shelf when you started talking about design proportion ratios. You said that it was a practice piece. Right attitude. Since you're learning, as we all are, don't be afraid to make mistakes on the non-critical pieces.

I'm a big fan of mockups. If I'm on the fence about something, I whip out some paper or cardboard and cut it up to see what the design will look like in 3D. Computer models aren't the same.

Don't be nervous, jump in with both feet and have some fun.

R

[Bill]

1.618:1 will probably be just about right (by eye).

The number crops up all over the place ... Do A Google Search for "Fibonacci" or "Golden Mean".

I was working out proportions for a candlestick last night and when I redrew my design to incorporate that ratio, things just fell into place.

Widest section was 1.618:1 of narrowest portion. Length was divided in the same way. The resultant points were connected with a French curve and BAM it was all good.

Then I added a narrow bead at the intersection line just because I can't resist messing with success.;-)

Bill

[Pat Barber]

[Wes Stewart]

Just don't paint it with latex paint unless you're in earthquake country and want the radio stuck to the shelf. [g]