How to Make Rustic Shelves

When staring at our outside laundry area, I wondered if there was something I could do to bring it to life. An old-school granite washing basin and external pipes all add to this little laundry's charm but it needed something else…Being a massive sucker for climbing ivy and succulents (excuse the pun) I wanted to make something to fill the empty space above the washing machine using pieces of weathered wood I've found lying around the farm. All the inspiration needed was found in about 30 seconds on Pinterest as there are so many wonderful ideas just waiting to be created. So with only a picture for inspiration and a newly bought Bosch multi-tool thingy, I was more than ready to try my luck at high school woodwork again. Now, don’t stare at it for too long because it really isn’t level lol ;)

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• X2 pieces of wood 100cm

• X5 pieces of wood 70cm

• Medium size nails

• A hammer

• Some sandpaper

• A measuring tape

• Wood lacquer (optional)

• A Saw

• X6 metal brackets with screws

• Electric drill

• Screw driver

METHOD

1. Cut your pieces of wood to the correct measurements. If working with weathered wood, just be aware that the pieces could be warped or have imperfections that may affect the final result… cough cough (clearing throat).

1. Give your pieces of wood a rough sand. Sanding the corners a little will add to that weathered look also.

2. Start by grabbing 2 pieces of wood (70cm) and hammering them into an “L” shape. You may need someone, (preferably with tats) to help you hold the pieces firm while you do this. One will be used for the top shelf and the other for the bottom. NB; I chose to use a slightly smaller piece of wood for the bottom front facing so it would be lower to hold plants and jars. Play around with what suits your preference

1. Now take x1 100cm piece of wood and hammer x1 of your “L” shaped pieces to the top end. So that it’s the right way, your “L” shape should be placed like the letter (from top, down and to the right)

2. Grab the other “L” shape pieces of wood and hammer it in the opposite direction (from top, down, to the left) at the bottom end of the 100cm piece of wood.

1. Take to other 100cm piece of wood and hammer it to the other ends of the “L” shape pieces, forming a frame

2. Take the last 70cm piece of wood and secure it in the middle forming the last shelf. Make sure to use a leveler or you’ll end up with something like my final product. woops!

1. Now that the shelves are made, it’s time to paint! This is completely optional but my pieces of wood had been used with cement so they were a bit grey for my liking. Choose either an oil tint or a lacquer that’s water resistant to protect the wood from any further weathering.

2. Once the shelves are dry, get someone to help you drill holes into the wall where you will then place the shelves. Do this by marking the spots by tracing the corners of the shelves from the inside. Brackets should be placed on either side, under each shelf including the bottom one for extra support.

1. Decorate with your favorite plants, flowers, herbs, pottery, glass jars… or make these shelves for inside the house and decorate with your favorite teas and plates.

And that’s it! So simple and so cute! What a difference its made now to do my washing with a little greenery to look at. Now ill be on the hunt for more cacti and beautiful pottery ;)

#DIY #Rustic #Shelves #Weathered #Wood #Suculants #Ivy #Exteriors #woodwork