DIY Network

Freeform Wall Shelves These shelves are anything but square! From "B. Original" episode DBOR-408

Shelves can be art in their own right.

Storing doesn't have to be boring: Just ask Michele Beschen. The B. Original host is always looking for ways to make creativity part of everyday life. For example, there's no better way to display a funky, eclectic collection than on these whimsical shelves.

Chock full of energy and design punch, these shelves are a snap to make and mount right to the wall. Scroll down to see how Michele Beschen can give you a new angle on storage with these fun, freeform shelves.

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Freeform Wall Shelves

Materials:

2x4 boards
drill with wood bit
pocket jig (optional)
2-1/2" decking screws
miter saw
adjustable bevel

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

• Determine how much of the wall the shelving should cover and lay out the boards in a freeform design. Create angles and slopes you wouldn't normally see in a shelving unit. Lay the boards on edge, exactly the way you want them to be on the wall.

• When the design is ready, mark the boards for cutting. Wherever two boards meet, trace each board's edge onto the other (figure A). The marks on the vertical boards will be cut lines; the ones on the horizontal boards will show where the vertical boards attach. You only need to mark one side of the boards at each intersection – just make sure you mark the same side of every board. For example, if you trace the bottom of a horizontal board, make sure to always trace the bottom of that board, or the design won't line up right.

• Also label the boards for each intersection. That will help if the boards get mixed up somehow.

• Make the cuts on the vertical boards using a miter saw. A hand saw will work, also, but will take much longer and may not be as accurate. To get the correct angle with the miter saw, adjust the adjustable bevel to match the angle of the cut (figure B). Tighten down the bevel to keep it steady, take it to the miter saw and adjust the saw's angle to match.

• Remove the vertical boards from the layout one at a time, cut them, then replace them in the layout. Check for fit after each cut: You want the intersections to be as seamless as possible. The layout will shift slightly when you replace the boards, due to the thickness of the horizontal shelves.

• Michele Beschen prefers to connect the boards as she cuts them. To do this, drill pilot holes and connect the boards with decking screws. If it's necessary to drill and drive a screw at an angle, drill into the side of the board, then gently angle the drill upward to come out of the end of the board (figure C). Or, use a pocket jig (figure D). This handy tool clamps to the board and automatically guides the drill to the proper angle for this type of hole.

• Continue cutting and attaching boards until the entire structure is complete.

• Michele Beschen strongly recommends painting the piece before installing it on the wall to avoid a massive taping job.

• Once the piece is painted and dry, use a stud finder to locate the wall studs where it will hang. Lightly mark the position of the studs with a pencil and measure the distance between the studs.

• Drill angled pilot holes in the underside of the shelves, spaced the same distance as the studs in the wall.

• Have at least one other person help you lift the unit into place. Line up the pilot holes with the studs and secure the piece to the wall with decking screws (figure E).

• Fill these freeform shelves with whatever strikes your fancy (figure F). Since the shelves are angled, you may need to use Sticky Tack or double-sided tape to hold items in place.