How to build shelves for your home

by Teresa Merelman, Broker 12/18/2024

Need shelf organizers but not sure where to start? Adding shelves can provide much needed storage and organization to your space. Building your own wall shelves at home may seem like a challenge, however doing so can save you money and declutter any area.

Why build your own shelves?

DIY shelves are a great way to organize your belongings. No matter what you need to store or display, you can create shelves to fit your needs.

Not only are DIY shelves a fantastic way to arrange your belongings, DIY wall shelves can be more affordable. When done by a professional, you have to pay for the shelves and installation. When you install them yourself, you bypass the installation fee.

DIY closet shelving ideas

Adding a shelving unit to your closet can help keep the space organized and efficient. To get started, please consider the following tools and guides needed to install your shelving unit:

Before installing anything, measure the space and determine the number of shelves you would like to install.
Next, cut a 1x4 board into 3 sections for each shelf. This is where your shelf will sit.
Use a stud finder to find and mark where your 1x4 boards will be placed. Then screw the boards into the studs.
Once the 1x4 boards are placed, you can add the shelf panels. You will just need to cut and size the boards to fit within the dimensions of the closet space. Once you have cut the panels, you can then nail them to the top of the 1x4s.
If there are any gaps between the paneling, try adding caulk for a cleaner appearance. Finally, feel free to paint your shelves a shade of your choosing.

This project may take around a week to complete. However, the result will be worth your time and effort.

The versatility of plastic crate shelving

Plastic crates make for a fantastic wall shelving. They are sturdy and can be configured in many ways to suit your storage needs. Whether you want a basic or unique layout it can be done with plastic crates.

Other DIY shelving ideas

There are many other shelf ideas to explore. For example, you can add a shelf to your bed’s headboard. This allows you to store and display your items right above your bed in a neat and fashionable way.

Need more space in your kitchen? Consider installing shelves to sort your seasonings and glassware.

Storage shelves are a crucial storage and display solution. Luckily, you can make your own shelving to fit your specific requirements. . Need help with finding materials for your next shelving project? Consider reaching out to an associate at your local home improvement store.

Shelves

Shelving

Open Shelving

About the Author

Teresa Merelman, Broker

Teresa's beginnings were at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She was child #5 of 8 and born into an Air Force family that moved all over the United States but usually ended up back in the Washington, D.C. area. Teresa attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and received her bachelor's degree in business from George Mason University, in Fairfax, Virginia. Some of her prior careers include: computer buyer in Fairfax, Virginia; Deputy Clerk at the U.S. District Court in Denver, Colorado; Police Officer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and Bed & Breakfast owner in Stowe, Vermont. Teresa obtained her license as a Realtor® in 1998. She has been through many ups and downs in this profession and continues to learn every day. She very much enjoys the real estate profession and the wonderful people she has met and assisted along the way. In order to serve her clients and customers, Teresa continually attends classes and seminars. Some of her Designations and Certifications include:

ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative (2003)
CBR - Certified Buyer Representative (2000)
e-PRO - Internet Certified Professional (2001)
CNHS - Certified New Home Specialist (2005)
CRS - Certified Residential Specialist (2005)
AHS - Accredited Home-Stager Specialist (2008)
TRC - Transaction Referral Certification (2009)
RSPS - Resort and Second Home Specialist (2009)
GREEN - NAR's Green Designation (2009)
SFR - Short Sales & Foreclosures Certification (2009)
SRES - Senior Real Estate Specialist Designation (2012)
AHWD - At Home With Diversity (2021)
SRS - Seller Representative Specialist (2021)

Teresa has also served and continues to serve on several boards:

Lamoille Area Board of Realtors - President and Board of Directors
Vermont Association of Realtors - Board of Directors
NEREN (MLS) - Board of Directors and Shareholder
Vermont Real Estate Commission - as a member of VAR's Liaison Committee
Stowe Vibrancy - Board of Directors - this is a volunteer group that promotes activities in the Village of Stowe

In 2007, Teresa was named Vermont Realtor of the Year.Teresa and her husband, a local attorney, moved to Stowe in 1987. They had two sons and Stowe has been their home for the past 36 years. She still feels the Stowe area is a wonderful place to raise a family, there's always something going on. Teresa can often be found behind the lens of her camera documenting the beauty of the area and its many events.As an update, Teresa's older son is now a Doctor/resident at the University of New Mexico's Emergency Management Program. Her younger son graduated from James Mason University and currently resides in Chicago, IL as a supervisor for OKTA.