Today we would like to show you how to build a very special corner shelf in a modern design.

This shelf does not rest on a girder or on inconvenient rods or ropes – this shelf is supposed to float!

Considerations: Defining the dimensions

First we need a thick board, we recommend a thickness of 30 mm.

Building a floating corner shelf – step by step instructions:
  1. Defining the dimensions – less is more

    Concerning dimensions, less is usually more. This is especially true for our present project. A huge shelf is not only very bulky, it also has a very strong lever. This means that the shelf cannot take up much weight.

    Defining the dimensions – less is more
  2. Marking out the angle

    Therefore we recommend to choose 60 mm for the length of the front edge. As the leading edge is at a 45° angle, an isosceles right-angled triangle is created. The precondition for this triangle is a corner at an angle of exactly 90°.

    There are two ways to verify whether this is the case:

    You can either use a square or a yard stick and the ratio 3/4/5 or 1200 mm, 1600 mm, 2000 mm.

    Example: If you mark out 1200 mm on the first side of the wall and 1600 mm on the second side, the completely fold-out yard stick should fit exactly in between. If this is the case, you have a 90° angle.

    If this is not the case, we need a bevel or a carton template.

    Marking out the angle
  3. Create your own design

    You can design the front edge according to your personal taste – whether rounded or curved – it's up to you.

    Create your own design
  4. Marking out the groove

    Now we need a hidden groove for the shelf to float. The size of the groove depends on the construction board used. For a thickness of 30 mm we recommend to use a construction wood with a size of 20 x 20 mm. In general we recommend to leave at least 5 mm of wood when grooving the shelf.

    For grooving we recommend to use a plow plane for professinals or a grooving plane. If necessary, you can of course also use a router with a fence or a milling table.

    If you do not manage to groove the wood, you can plane through the groove and insert a wooden block or attach a moulding on the entire leading edge. As an alternative you can use a different kind of wood to create an accentuation. If you choose this way, we recommend to use a matchwood to prevent chipping at the leading edge (see illustration).

    Marking out the groove
  5. Adapting the construction wood to the groove

    The groove should fit tightly with the construction wood so that the corner shelf can be reliably fixed to the wall.

    Adapting the construction wood to the groove
  6. Mounting the construction wood on the wall

    If the groove fits tightly with the construction wood, the wood is fixed to the wall with rawlplugs and screws, and the shelf is put onto the wood. Make sure that the squared timbers are in a straight line, otherwise you won't be able to put the shelf on the timbers simultaneously.

    If the shelf fits tightly, you don't need to fix it. Otherwise you can fix it with a small screw or a nail at the bottom.

    Mounting the construction wood on the wall
  7. The shelf is finished!

    You can now decorate the finished corner shelf according to your personal taste. You will no longer have to worry about bare corners in your home!

    The shelf is finished!