DIY Project: How to Make Honeycomb Floating Wood Shelves
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Additional home decor pictured can be found here
Honeycomb shelves, or hexagon shelves, are a relatively simple DIY project that you can do to add a fun, geometric wall shelf into any room in your home. While there are a variety of honeycomb shelves available, we made these shelves from pine wood that allows you to customize your paint or stain to match your interior design. Use these decorative shelves to display photos, plants, or even as a bookcase (but make sure to secure to a stud!).
DIY Project: Honeycomb Shelves
Supply List:
Note: It’s important to pick straight, quality boards to maintain the integrity of the shelves. This tutorial builds (4) 15” x 13.25” x 3.5” large hexagon shelves.
(2) - 8’x1”x4” Pine Board
- (Each 8’ board will make 2 honeycomb shelves without center shelf. )
Note:
If you want to add center shelves or an additional fifth honeycomb shelf, purchase one additional pine board. This also allows for any missed cuts. (1) - Can of Polyurethane Spray (1) - Tube of Gorilla Glue
Note: If you do not have a belt sander, you can use 120 Grit sandpaper.
Read More: DIY Project: Rustic Mirrored Barn Door
How to Build Honeycomb Shelves:
Cut 8’ x 1”x 4” board into 6 pieces that are 7 1/2” long each with 30 degree cuts. Angle the cuts inward. When measuring, the outside length of the board should be 7 1/2” long.
Sand each piece to clean up large splinters using belt sander or 120 Grit sand paper by hand.
Line up the 6 pieces to create the hexagon shape. Add a line of glue on each angled piece and press them together.
Pull them together tightly using the band champ. Make sure to keep the band centered around the shelf to keep equal pressure.
Using nail gun, at each joint, add three nails to connect each piece. In a clockwise pattern, secure with two nails at the edges of each joint. Reversing the direction (counter clockwise), finish securing the joint with one nail in the center of the opposite side. This provides additional stability by allowing for three nails, in opposing directions, at each intersection.
Remove band and wipe off excess glue.
Sand down all sharp edges and any joints using belt sander or by hand with 120 grit paper.
Wipe down shelf with wet towel to remove all dust and dirt.
Paint or stain shelves as desired. Spray on a light coat of polyurethane and let it completely dry.
Line up design on the floor to determine ideal layout and dimensions for the wall.
To Create Middle Shelf:
Cut outside board length to 13 3/4” with two inward 30 degree cuts. Shelf can be attached with two nails to the center of the hexagon shelf or remain removable by simply sliding into place.
To Hang:
Mark the wall with a pencil at the inside top corners. Use level to make sure that shelf is straight on wall. Insert nail in each of those spots and hang.
Note: For decorative purposes, shelves do not need to be hung in a stud. However, to prevent damage to drywall, do not place heavy objects on shelf without being secured to a stud.