How To Create Open Shelves For Less Than $50

How to create open shelves in your space for less than $50!

Hey there! If you are looking to install some open shelves in your space then this post is for you!

Open shelving has taken the design world by storm lately and rightfully so! They visually open up an area and allow you to show off your favorite dishes or décor.

If you love the airy feel that open shelves bring, then this step-by-step guide is perfect for transforming your space!

We purchased our home in March 2023 and have extensively renovated and updated every aspect of the house.

If you’d like to see how I transformed our staircase from outdated carpet to modern chic then check out my post here!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you purchase something I recommend, I may receive an affiliate commission – but it does not affect your price or what I choose to promote.*

The Plan

The kitchen definitely needed some help to bring it into current times.

The wall used to have upper cabinets and a microwave over the oven, as seen in these before photos.

I had quite a grand vision for the kitchen, just ask my husband, and I knew open shelves were a part of that vision.

The cabinets with the microwave felt too busy and crowded to me. I could see a nice open space with a custom hood, thanks husband 😉

So during renovations, we had those upper cabinets and microwave removed.

We ultimately decided on vertical shiplap for our entire kitchen backsplash.

We installed shiplap paneling from counter to ceiling, which solidified my idea of adding open shelves on each side of the hood.

My original plan was floating wood shelves, meaning no visible brackets, and I was planning to put two shelves on each side of the hood.

After thinking about that idea for a while and searching different bracket options I decided to go a different direction and a cheaper one too!

I found a set of 8 brackets for under $30, which was a great deal.

According to my plan that would give me 4 shelves since I only needed two brackets per shelf.

I like the clean look of floating shelves, but I also didn’t mind the brackets as they added some character.

I made sure to order brackets that were the right depth for the shelf size I wanted.

Shelf

We measured the length of our wall to determine the amount of wood required.

Then we headed to Home Depot to get the wood for the shelves.

The wood we purchased was only $10 for 10 feet. Another reason I say these open shelves were cheaper than making floating shelves.

We chose this 2in x 10in x 10 feet piece which fits exactly into the brackets.

We could have used the 8-foot piece but wanted extra in case there were mistakes, as there always seem to be mistakes!

Instead of making our own custom floating shelf, which requires more wood and more time, we had wood practically ready to use minus a few cuts and stains!

The wood width was perfect for the bracket depth, so we only had to cut the length to fit our space.

After bringing the wood home, we measured our wall once again. We made two different size cuts due to the difference in wall length.

At this point, I decided to only place one shelf on each side of the hood.

I realized two shelves on each side would have been busy. Also one would be pretty high up and the other too low and I didn’t want that.

After the wood was cut I went in with my favorite micro sander and began sanding out the rough areas and imperfections. Especially along the sides where it was cut with the saw.

Stain

Once the wood was nice and smooth I wiped them clean and began staining.

I used this Minwax stain in Special Walnut, I have used this color for other projects before and really love how it turns out. A beautiful medium brown wood tone that doesn’t pull too red.

If you try this out I recommend starting with this pre-stain wood conditioner. It helps the wood lock in the stain color and apply evenly.

I didn’t have any pre-stain on hand and was impatient so I just started staining. You can skip the pre-stain as well but I do think it results in a better finished product!

To apply the stain you need to follow the directions on the label:

Use a cotton rag or an old t-shirt
Wipe on small amounts at a time in the direction of the wood grain
Once the stain is on wipe away excess
Allow to dry and repeat the process until your desired results

It’s important to wait a day or two between coats for the wood tones to settle completely.

This is important depending on the type of wood used as some are more prone to discoloration.

Once the stain dries, you can either use the shelf right away or seal it to protect and preserve the color.

I decided to seal mine since they are in the kitchen and prone to messes and moisture.

I used my all-time favorite sealer, I use this for all my projects – it works great!

Just be sure to stir well (not shake) before using.

Once the shelf boards were sealed and dry it was time to get the brackets up!

Brackets

My husband helped me install the brackets. Since we were attaching right into wood shiplap pieces we did not use anchors.

We did pre-drill the holes for the screws to prevent the panels from cracking when drilling in the screws.

However, if you are drilling into drywall you have to use anchors to ensure your brackets are supported and will be able to hold the wood shelf and whatever you decide to place on them.

After securing the brackets, place and secure the wood boards.

There is a hole on the bottom side of my brackets that allows you to attach a screw through the bracket and into the wood shelf, making them more secure.

Let’s Decorate

Now it’s time to decorate – bring out your favorite dishes or try a beautiful arrangement of greenery in a vase.

Some other great décor options for the kitchen are cutting boards, salt & pepper shakers, cookbooks, and dishware to name a few.

I am really enjoying the different options I have for decorating, especially during the holidays

If you have the space and the budget, I recommend adding a light above the shelves to showcase your items.

I love the cozy ambiance of mood lighting and found these wall sconces that went well with my overall style.

I decided not to hardwire them and used these genius battery-operated light bulbs instead!

If you’re intimidated by the process or cost of open shelves, don’t be! They’re worth trying.

We made these shelves for about $50!

If you don’t have a miter saw or the tools to cut the wood, ask the hardware store to do it for you!

If you buy the wood from Home Depot they should cut them to size for you, depending on the store. Just be sure you know your measurements before you ask!

Items I used for this project:

Wood – home Depot
Brackets
Wood stain
Sealer
Sander
Lint-free cloth or old cotton shirt
Miter saw
Drill
Screwdriver

Below are some brackets I considered using for this project. Be sure to consider your space and which bracket set-up and installation will work best for you.

If you’re looking for a vintage look with a warm touch try these gorgeous brackets.
These brackets are classic and give an industrial feel.
If modern is more your style these brackets are great, and can be used two different ways!

I would love to hear from you in the comments if you would DIY these open shelves yourself.

If you are looking for more DIY inspiration check out this oak dining table transformation or this farmhouse to rustic coffee table makeover.

A new project and a fresh look to your space is surely something to Rejoice About!

Happy shelving!