How Do You Build A Wall Shelving Unit?

Wall shelving units provide the homeowner with extra storage and display space, and can be adapted for their intended use: utilitarian and simple for a workspace or laundry room, or more elaborate for a family room or den. Building a wall shelving unit requires some simple tools and materials, plus a little planning and experimentation before you begin. Measure the wall where you'd like the shelving to be---top to bottom, and side to side. On a piece of paper (graph paper is best), sketch some designs for your shelves. Consider the height, length and depth of the shelves, as well as the distance between them. Make sure you are allowing enough space for the items that will be on the shelf---that they are deep enough for your books or tall enough for a vase, for example. This is the time to experiment with different configurations and designs. To save time and lumber, design your shelves around precut lengths of board---typically 2, 4 or 8 feet. With a pencil, make light marks on the ...  more