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The Best Idea for a Built-in Corner Shelf DIY

Mar 20, 2023 by Brooke Larsen · This post may contain affiliate links · 27 Comments

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The Best Idea for a Built-in Corner Shelf

An easy corner shelf DIY project to give your home a custom design.

You can always tell the difference between a custom home versus a builder grade home. Not only does a builder grade house use less durable products, but there always tends to be a lack of design element unique to the home. One of my favorite things about building custom is the finishing touches.

Though somewhat remodeled, our builder grade home lacked the custom touch. We opted to make awkward wall space into usable storage space with a stylish corner wall shelf. Achieve a custom design with an easy built-in corner shelf DIY transformation.

Built in shelf, the easy way!

An easy way to make a home appear more custom is by changing out finishes or adding built-ins. Built-in items like bookshelves or other open shelving are great for extra storage and decor, making the available space appear more usable and strategic. This option is especially ideal for any main living space like a living room or dining room, but also works for corner walls or bedrooms.

Table of Contents

  • Examples of Stylish Built-in Options
  • How to Add a Built-in Corner Shelf DIY
  • Style Your Easy DIY Corner Shelves

Examples of Stylish Built-in Options

  • Entertainment center with custom floating shelves
  • Custom bookshelves in our bonus room
  • Built-in pantry in kitchen space
  • Shelving unit for custom closet
  • DIY Built-in mudroom lockers
  • Hanging shelves in open kitchen

How to Add a Built-in Corner Shelf DIY

So how can you change up those odd corner spaces in your house? A great way to fix that awkward area is by installing a shelving unit or a set of corner shelves to fill the majority of the space.

I purchased this great corner shelf unit a few years back because I wanted to update it into a built-in shelf to create the custom look I was going for.

Built in shelf, the easy way!

Supplies Needed for Corner Shelf DIY

  • Corner shelf - I found mine at RC Willey in the scratch and dent section.
  • Wood screws
  • Drill
  • Caulk
  • Stud finder
  • Level
  • Base molding or pine boards for the bottom of the shelf
  • Wood fill
  • Sandpaper
  • Primer
  • A paint brush or sprayer
  • Paint
  • Finish nailer

Attach the Shelf

The first step is to mount your adorable corner shelf. Ideally, you want to find a shelving unit that will take up the majority length of your small space. Also, a second pair of hands will make this part much easier.

Lift up the shelf onto the top of the baseboards. Use your stud finder to screw the wood shelves into the studs so it will hold tightly to the wall. But, make sure you have a straight line by using a level.

Frame the Bottom

Next step, frame the bottom underneath your shelf with small pieces of wood or leftover molding. Make sure to get your angled cuts correct by measuring twice, cut once. I used pine for the front edge piece. You can use wood glue to start securing the piece of wood in place, but ultimately you will need to use a finish nailer to secure it.

Use Caulk to Fill In

If your shelf doesn't fit flush along the flat surface in the corner of the room, that's okay. Use caulk to fill in the extra space.

Caulk all the spaces and use wood fill to fill in the screw holes. Additionally, when caulking make sure that you only use acrylic painter's caulk. If your caulk has silicone in it, your paint will not be able to stick to the caulking.

Sand, Prime and Paint

Next, you will want to sand any where you added wood fill. You can also lightly sand your shelf and wood boards so the primer will appropriately adhere.

Prime your all of your wood with an appropriate primer. Allow a little time for the primer to dry afterward, usually just a few hours. Then use a paint brush or sprayer to paint the wood. Also keep in mind that if you are using a sprayer you will want to tape off anything in the near vicinity that could get paint on it.

I also painted my shelf the same color as my existing moldings. Consequently, this will help your shelving to look like it was built-in and not a piece of furniture that has been screwed to the wall. Now this once odd corner is the best place for housing favorite decorative items.

Built in shelf, the easy way!

Style Your Easy DIY Corner Shelves

Styling your empty corner shelf is just as easy as styling a floating shelf. The main thing to keep in mind is that you will have a larger space at the angle in the middle of the shelf. But also remember that the end of each shelf will be limited on space.

Because there is limited space, any type of greenery or dish is a great choice for a corner shelf. Another option is that you can even style it with a few books on each shelf.

Take a look here to see more options on styling neutral shelves or this beginner's guide to styling shelves.

Empty corners no more! There you have one of the best ideas for a built-in corner shelf DIY that changes the look from traditional to custom.

Looking for more DIY building options? Check out how I built my custom master closet for less or this DIY custom built bunkbed.

Happy DIYing!

Brooke

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About Brooke Larsen

Hello Friends! I love anything DIY and home decorator! On my blog I hope you will find home inspo. Whether it is for your next DIY project or home decor. If I can do it, anyone can!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chrissy @ Boerman Ramblings says

    March 06, 2012 at 4:37 am

    amazing! It looks great!

    Reply
  2. Natassia Butler says

    March 06, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    that is awesome!!!

    Reply
  3. Danielle says

    March 06, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    First post I've read of yours. Love this idea. Guess this is the last move the shelf will be making, but what a wonderful resting place!

    Reply
  4. Kristin@gratefulbelly.com says

    March 06, 2012 at 7:38 pm

    Great idea, and great pics, too! I'm a new follower. If you have a minute, please stop by my brand new blog, I'd love to have you follow me, too! Thanks so much 🙂

    Reply
  5. SweetPepperRose says

    March 07, 2012 at 12:56 am

    that looks great! I have a corner that needs this kind of attention 🙂 thanks for sharing, and y'all did a really good looking job on it.
    JoAnn

    Reply
  6. luci wallis says

    March 07, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    That is an awesome idea...why can't I have a handy husband! It looks wonderful..adding to my to do file.
    Bristol

    Reply
  7. Helen's Decor says

    March 07, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    How clever! I love corner shelves and corner china cabinets. You definitely had a vision and got it perfectly in place. Thanks for sharing. I'm a new follower on Linky and hope you follow me. Helen of Helen's Decor

    Reply
  8. Jill ~ Jillify It says

    March 09, 2012 at 3:09 pm

    LOVE the corner shelf!! I sooooo need my hubby to build me one or two! I would love for you to link up at my party going on now! Hope to see you there!

    Jill
    http://www.jillifyit.com

    Reply
  9. Katie Olthoff says

    March 09, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    Great job!

    Reply
  10. Abbie says

    March 09, 2012 at 11:19 pm

    Fantastic job!

    Love the dreamy white and the way you've accessorized! (Especially the vintage phone...I scored one of those at Goodwill, and it's my fave! : )

    And I would LOVE IT if you'd share this at Feature Friday FREE-FOR-ALL going on right now!

    http://www.fivedaysfiveways.com/2012/03/feature-friday-free-for-all-10-my.html

    Hope to see you soon!

    P.S. I'm a new follower. : )

    ~Abbie

    Reply
  11. Little Vintage Cottage says

    March 10, 2012 at 1:54 am

    Wow, what a great idea! It looks great!

    Tania

    Reply
  12. MARÍA says

    March 10, 2012 at 12:49 pm

    I love it! It seems to be part of the structure of the house... very nice!

    María from Spain
    http://www.etsy.com/shop/lacasitadmaria?ref=seller_info
    http://lacasitadmaria.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  13. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says

    March 11, 2012 at 7:38 am

    I'm in love too!! It looks GREAT. I'm going to go on a hunt for a small corner piece like that and try to recreate this look. Thanks for the inspiration. I'm going to pin this to my design inspiration board.
    I'm also looking forward to more great inspiration as a new follower.

    Sharon @ mrs. hines class

    Reply
  14. Alison @ Oopsey Daisy says

    March 12, 2012 at 5:33 am

    Absolutely beautiful!! Paint makes such a difference! Thanks for sharing at oopsey daisy!

    Reply
  15. Amanda says

    March 12, 2012 at 1:48 pm

    I love it! It looks great! I love following your blog!!

    Reply
  16. Six Sisters says

    March 13, 2012 at 1:51 am

    I LOVE this idea! And yes... caulk does work wonders! Thanks so much for sharing with us this week. Hope to see you again!
    Sincerely,
    - The Sisters

    Reply
  17. Paula says

    March 13, 2012 at 7:23 pm

    Beautiful!! It looks perfect! We'd love for you to share this at our party! http://housewivesofriverton.blogspot.com/2012/03/riverton-housewives-round-up-8.html

    Reply
  18. Teresa says

    March 16, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Fantastic! We have a useless corner in our hall where this would work perfectly!! Now I'll be on the hunt for a corner shelf!

    Reply
  19. Sarah says

    March 17, 2012 at 11:50 pm

    What a fantastic transformation!! I love it! I am your newest follower. Stop by sometime!! -Sarah

    Reply
  20. Heatherly Loves says

    March 18, 2012 at 3:43 am

    Love how this turned out! I am pinning it, need to save this!
    Would love to have link this up at Sunday Round UP!
    3 blogs = 1 party
    xx
    Heather
    http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2012/03/sunday-round-up-1_8663.html

    Reply
  21. SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime says

    March 18, 2012 at 4:17 am

    Love it so I pinned this 🙂

    Reply
  22. Holly Lefevre says

    March 18, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Brilliant and gorgeous!

    Reply
  23. Glenda says

    March 19, 2012 at 1:54 am

    Wow, just pulling it up on the baseboard and building a skirt made all the difference! So pretty - it looks as if it were built in when the house was built!

    Reply
  24. kimberly hayes says

    March 05, 2013 at 8:43 pm

    Your shelf looks GREAT!! It was the only valuable 'corner shelf' tutorial out there! It helped tremendously with giving my own project some direction. Check out how you helped me get the ball rolling here ---> http://www.wanderinglovely.com/2013/03/diy-built-in-corner-shelf.html

    Thanks again!!
    Wandering Lovely, Kim

    Reply
  25. Krystie says

    July 10, 2013 at 5:14 am

    I am in love! Wow, it really looks built in!

    Reply
  26. Elsko says

    October 05, 2014 at 5:21 am

    I'm going to go on a hunt for a small corner piece like that and try to ... icornershelf.blogspot.com

    Reply

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Hi I am Brooke I am an avid DIY-er and home decorator! I share home inspo and all of my DIY projects with step-by-step directions. I sprinkle in a few recipes to help out all of us busy moms too. If I can do it, so can you!

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