how to build in shelves cottage style

I want to build in shelves along a 10' long wall, floor to ceiling shelves. I want them to be cottage/country style. I also want them to be cheap but look really good. Can anyone guide me to online resources with pictures of something similar, or even of a different style, so I can get some idea of how to build these? I'm thinking about using those thick construction grade boards that are about 3" wide, and making each shelf with three or four of them run side by side. Then painted white and maybe some sort of paint treatment to make them look antique. I have no idea how to do vertical supports. Don't want to buy shelf brackets. Too expensive since I would need a large quantity. Any ideas about something I can build? Thanks.

Reply to
J. Cameron Davis
Loading thread data ...

A friend has some rather cool looking shelves that would be simple to put together.....made with 1" boards with threaded rods at each corner for support. Put a nut and a washer on the rod at appropriate spot, drill holes in each corner of board and drop board onto the rods. Repeat. Put an angle iron at the top of each to attach to wall stud so's it doesn't tip over. At 10' long, you would need more rods for support, but it is a pretty simple idea.

Reply to
Norminn

re: I also want them to be cheap but look really good.

Cheap...Look Good...Strong

Pick any two.

Reply to
DerbyDad03

I've done something similar.

Use 1" x 10" x 10' or 1" x 12" x 10' pine for shelves. Screw a 10' 2x4 to the underside of the rear of each to give structural support and prevent sagging, so you can get buy with three uprights (one on each end, and one in the middle). Screw three 3.5" sections of 2x4 to the underside of the front of each shelf, one on each end, and one in the middle.

At each end, and in the middle, construct vertical supports out of 93"

2x4s with front to back 2x4s (shelf depth + 3") at the top and bottom, screwed into the vertical supports. Fasten the 96" uprights to the wall studs somehow (the two ends should be at studs by default if they're on each end of a wall).

Screw each shelf into place between the uprights.

You might get by with only uprights on each end if you're not loading the shelves with stuff like books, but a 10 foot span is too much if your heavily loading the shelves, as they'll sag.

As to "looking really good" since these are country style, I guess they should be stained with some sort of stain that you think looks good.

As to cheap, 2x4's are cheap, but even 1"x10"x10' pine isn't all that cheap. I guess you could use particle board, but that would really look crappy. Your big expense will be in the shelf boards.

Look at the Sunset book on _Wall Systems and Shelving_ at the library. There are many interesting ways to do vertical supports. One method is floor to ceiling 2x4s with dowels front to back. You'd want four sets of supports with a 2.5' span for each section. You can use copper tubing and threaded rod.

Reply to
SMS

HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.