DIY Floating Shelf Under $15

This week we've started a series for our family room!  We've started with adding these beautiful floating shelves to one empty wall!  We borrowed plans from our friends at Shanty-2-Chic for this build.   These were quick and easy!

Materials: 
1 - 1x6x6
1 - 2x4x8
1 - 1/2"x2x4 plywood
2-½" pocket screws
1-¼” brad nails
3" Spax screws
Wood glue
​Stain & Poly
​

Tools: 
- Circular Saw
- Kreg Jig
- Drill
​-Tape Measure
-Safety Glasses
​

Step 1:  Assemble the Cleat
​We assembled the wall cleat to mount the floating shelf.  Cut the 2x4 pieces to length. Drill 1-½" pocket holes into the ends of the cleat braces and attach with wood glue and 2-½" pocket screws into the wall cleat. Outer braces are cut to 10" and are flush with the edges of the wall cleat. Center the middle brace and attach with 2-½" pocket screws as well.  

Step 2: Assemble the Shelf
​​First cut your plywood top and bottom to length. Then your 1x6 sides to length to match the width of the plywood. Making sure the top and bottom edges and the front and back edges are flush, attach with wood glue and 1-¼" brad nails. Cut your 1x6 front to length so that it is flush with the outside edges of the sides. Making sure it is flush with the top and bottom attach with wood glue and 1-¼" brad nails.

Step 3:  Install the Shelves
This floating shelf is long enough to install so that you can drive 3" Spax screws into to studs since studs are primarily 16" on center. Hold your cleat assembly at your desired height and using a level make sure your cleat is level. Drive your 3" Spax screws into and through the cleat assembly into the studs. 

And that's it!  Pretty simple build and installation.