Take Your Storage Up A Level With These Smart Shelving Hacks

We’re about to drop some real truth on you: there isn’t a room in your home that can’t be made better with some good shelving. Think about it: shelves can corral clutter, display your favorite items, hold books, mugs and well, pretty much anything else. And the best thing? They can look amazing, too. If we haven’t convinced you yet, just trust us – you need more shelves. And there’s nothing better than DIY shelves to make your space more fabulous and functional. 

Of course, you can go out and purchase a shelf and its accompanying hardware. There’s nothing wrong with that! But DIY shelves can be simple to make; arguably one of the easiest DIY jobs out there. But first you’ll need some inspiration, of course. Below, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favorite shelves for you to browse before you get started. 

A wall full of hanging shelves adorns the living room seen here by @gesa_wohnt. She’s artfully displayed a balanced collection of plants and artful trinkets for a mostly minimalist look we love. 

These simple display shelves by @zolanskiwood are the perfect addition to just about any room. Use them for toiletries in the bathroom, accessories in your craft space, or books in your bedroom. Just a few steps – and a great stain color, of course – and you’re done! 

With the price of lumber skyrocketing these days, no one could blame you for turning to plywood for your DIY projects. This clever cubby by @vizecreations uses thick plywood and a well-thought out design to create a DIY shelf for a desk. There’s room for all the key items here; it’s all about deciding what fits where. 

These amazing DIY shelves by @cozycleandecor were constructed for a nursery, but you can incorporate this chic look anywhere in your home. We love the painted circle that sits behind the shelves, giving them a pop of life, while the neutral wood tones provide a natural vibe. 

The thing we love about these DIY shelves by @perfectlyrusticco is that they’re attached to the back at different levels, which allows you to display things at different heights for added visual interest. Choose a stain that coordinates with your decor or choose to go au naturale for a minimalist vibe.

For a metallic look, Vintage Revivals wrapped wooden shelves in copper sheeting. Want a more subtle take on this style? Line just the edge of each shelf with copper tape.

Using a can of spray paint and a roll of marble contact paper, House of Hawkes made these DIY shelves from an IKEA VITTSJO shelving unit for less than $20.

Need somewhere to stash your mug collection in an apartment with zero cabinet space? Attach a rod under a kitchen shelf and hang cups from S-hooks, as Refinery29 did above.

A combination of pink paper and patterned washi tape bring color to the shelves of this formerly all-white cabinet. The total cost of this project from Up to Date Interiors? Just four dollars.

→ Fresh Ideas for Projects to Do with Washi Tape

If your home decor style is warm industrial, adding these faux rivets to floating shelves will give them an edge. Bright Green Door swapped hex-head screws for ordinary rivets.