Decorative Wall Shelf Plan
for the
Woodworking Beginner
Page 1 of 2

Decorative wall shelf plan designed for the woodworking beginner.

DIFFICULTY RATING: BEGINNER

This decorative wall shelf plan was designed to highlight the antique door knobs owned by Ben's customer. The final product was so beautiful that we decided to make it a plan that the woodworking beginner could build using the pocket hole jig.

On Page 1 you will collect all the tools and materials needed to build this wall shelf plan. You will also cut and drill the ten pieces of wood needed for these Kreg plans.

On Page 2 you will learn how to build a wall shelf
with SketchUp diagrams for each step.
You will also see how to hang
your completed decorative wall shelf.

The link to the
free download of the woodworking plan PDF
for this wall shelf plan is at the bottom of the page.

The kreg pocket hole jig makes woodworking much easier for the beginner.

WOODWORKING TOOLS NEEDED:

Because this free wall shelf plan was designed for the woodworking beginner, there are only a minimal amount of tools needed.

The woodworking hand tools used are:

woodworking clamps;
pencil;
tape measure;
square; and
Kreg pocket hole jig.

A circular saw and a cutting jig will help make straight cross cuts.

The woodworking power tools used to make these pocket hole jig plans for a wall shelf are:

jig saw and/or circular saw, and a drill.

A jig saw is necessary to cut the arch on the sides. All of the other cuts needed for these Kreg plans could be made with a circular saw.

A power sander would be helpful, but not essential.

MATERIALS NEEDED:

For the woodworking beginner we recommend that you use pine. It is much easier to work with than the hardwoods.

To make these free wood project plans out of pine, you will need the following wood:

(1) 1x10 by 6';
(1) 1x6 by 3';
(1) 1x4 by 3';
(1) 1x3 by 4';
(2) 1x3 by 3'; and
1/2 panel of 3/8" bead board. (you will only use a portion of this.)

Kreg pocket hole screws help to make strong woodworking joints.

If making this wall shelf from pine, you will also need
(18) Kreg 1-1/4-Inch 8-Coarse Washer-Head Pocket Screws.

These Kreg plans could also be made from oak, cherry or other hardwood. If you do use a hardwood, you will need to use the
Kreg 1-1/4-Inch Fine Washer-Head Pocket Screws.

You will also need a handful of small finishing nails to tack the bead board to the back of the wooden wall shelf.

Pocket Hole Joinery Used:

The only pocket hole joinery used for these wall shelf plans is right angle joinery.

WOODWORKING PROJECT COSTS:

The total project cost for these wall shelf plans, when made out of pine, is approximately $25-30.

This does not include the cost of finishing the decorative wall shelf.

The top shelf of these wall shelf plans has pocket holes on each end.

Cut the top shelf from a 1x10. This piece will be 35 3/4” long and 7 1/2” wide.

Set up your Kreg jig using the 3/4” setting for both your pocket hole jig, and your Kreg drill bit. You will use these same settings throughout the whole project.

If you need a refresher on how
to set up your pocket hole jig, click here.

Drill 2 pocket holes at each end where the top shelf will be attached to the sides.

The bottom shelf of these Kreg plans has 2 pocket holes on each end.

Cut 1 bottom shelf from a 1x6. This piece will be 35 3/4” long and 5 1/8” wide.

Drill 2 pocket holes at each end where the bottom shelf will be attached to the sides.

The apron of these free wall shelf plans fits under the bottom shelf.

Cut 1 apron from a 1x4. This piece will be 35 3/4” long and 3 1/2” wide.

Drill 2 pocket holes at each end where the apron will be attached to the sides.

The cleat of these wall shelf plans gives its strength and a means to hang it on the wall.

Cut 1 cleat from a 1x3. This piece will be 35 3/4” long and 1 3/4”wide.

Drill 1 pocket hole at each end where the cleat will be attached to the sides.

Bead board was used for the back of these Kreg plans.

Cut 1 piece of bead board 35 3/4” wide and 12 3/4” high. The bead board is 3/8" thick.

This will be the back of your wooden wall shelf.

The side piece is shaped with an arch in the middle of the front.

Cut 2 sides from a 1x10. Each side starts out 17” long and 8” wide.

To cut the arch, measure 3 1/2” from both the top and bottom. The arch will be 10” from top to bottom.

Then measure 2 1/2” from the front edge. The widest point of the arch will be at 2 1/2”.

Draw your arch between those lines, and then cut it using your jig saw.

IF you would like to round the front edge of these side pieces, you should do that before assembly. No other edges should be rounded.

There are no pocket holes in the side pieces.

CHOOSE SIMPLE MOLDING
OR MITERED MOLDING FOR THE TOP

This molding is the easiest to make with straight cuts.

Simple Molding:

Cut 1 long piece from a 1x3. This piece will be 39” long and 2 1/2” wide. The diagram shows the long edge of this front piece shaped. That is optional.

Cut 2 short pieces from a 1x3. These pieces will be 6 1/2” long and 2 1/2” wide.

Drill 2 pocket holes on one end where the short pieces will be attached to the long front piece.