Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Floating Bookshelf

I first saw this floating shelf idea on Etsy. What a great way to display cookbooks, but the price was a little too rich for my blood. Not too much later, I came across a tutorial for them over at MayDecember. I love the idea of using L brackets--so simple, so brilliant.

Place your brackets on the wall and mark the holes with a pencil.

Make sure you get at least one of the brackets mounted into a stud.

I loved everything about this idea except the fact that the book would show if you looked underneath the shelf. Since I'm placing my shelf fairly high up on the wall, I used a big hardback cookbook that I rarely (and now never) use, slid it into the bracket, and used clear packaging tape to tape the book shut.

If you don't look at the rest of my house, you'd think I was stylish!

10 comments:

  1. Very cool, I love that idea, thanks for sharing such a budget friendly floating shelf option!

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  2. I love this bookshelf! I've seen it on etsy and Pinterest as well; thanks for the super easy tutorial!!

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  3. Very cute! Might have to put one in my kitchen. :) Thanks for the tutorial!

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  4. That is downright brilliant! I think that might be really cute in my study... Orangies Attic

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  5. That is awesome! I think I have to make one. I know hubby has extra L brackets in his man stuff down in the shed. Now, to find a book I don't use....hmmmm ;)

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  6. Oh wow! That really is the easiest thing. Looks great!

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  7. Good stuff. We have a ton of cookbooks that are taking up a lot of useful cabinet space, and I want to try this on a thin section of a high wall in our nook. Your idea is certainly less invasive than the usual type of bookshelf.

    As we don't have studs on that section, I'm thinking of using drywall anchors. You can find them at any hardware store, and many are rated for weight.

    http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/inffastener/infanchor/infanchor.html

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  8. What Todd said. I like the big white anchors that are threaded. They're really strong, and you're gonna need some strength to hold those books.

    You can also get the toggle bolt kind, that are spring-loaded and push through a hole, then spread out once they're on the other side and can't pull through. Even so, I probably wouldn't put too many books on the shelf if you can't find a stud (present company excluded).

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  9. This is a GREAT idea! Thanks for stopping by my craft hop! I'm now following you.
    http://sewplicity.blogspot.com

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