Build your own crown molding ledges from solid wood and mdf crown to fit your space.
This is my friend’s youngest little boy’s bedroom and she had a blank wall that was perfect for these shelves. The real reason she wanted the shelves: to provide a ledge for the baby video monitor:
Inspired by the Pottery Barn Kids classic shelving at $82 a piece:
My DIY version costs about $25 in supplies.
A fairly simple build if you don’t mind a mitered bevel cut.
These shelves are 36″ long each:
Here’s how to build crown molding ledges:
1. Determine length of shelves.
For this tutorial I will use 36″ long shelves.
Below are my original sketches (disregard the 30″l).
2. Cuts:
1 – 1×8 @ 36″ (shelf top)
1 – 1×4 @ 30 1/2″ (box front)
2 – 1×4 @ 3 1/2″ (box sides)
1 – 1×4 @ 29″ (box bottom)
1 – 2×3 @ 28 1/2″ (wall cleat)
* Cut crown to fit beginning with front long edge first.
A great miter/bevel guide from Dewalt here.
3. Secure box sides to box front with pocket holes.
4. Center on underside of shelf piece and secure with pocket holes from interior:
5. Add box bottom with finish nails.
This creates a finished space for the wall cleat:
6. Cut crown molding to fit and secure with finish nails.
7. Prime and paint, two coats semi gloss white:
8. Find the studs and secure wall cleat level using 3″ wood screws directly into studs:
9. Now take the shelf and slide the empty box portion directly onto the cleat:
10. Secure shelf using 2″ wood screws countersunk into cleat:
Love this tutorial – thanks! We are building a house that will not have a fireplace, and I need a "faux" mantle to hang stockings on come Christmas. This will be perfect!
These are super cute, Jaime. These are in the running to answer the "WHAT to do with the space above the girls' beds???" question 😉
Came across this project via Knock Off Décor and I think I am going to have to steal YOUR décor project….these are great!
I love those ledges! That is just what I need in my bathroom!! Stopping by from Flaunt It Friday!
Beautiful work you have done on these crown molding ledges. I am wanting to add some crown molding to my home. Thanks for sharing your work.
http://www.mrmoulding.net/index.html
What is length on the 1/2" pine board on the bottom?
I'm an extreme novice in building but have the 'want to' for this project. I think I can do this and will try asap. Thanks for the great instructions. Was wondering how to attach this to a brick fireplace? My fireplace has ventless gas logs, converted years ago from a working fireplace, but no mantle. Is there an easy way to attach this 'mantle' and could you advise?
Thanks for any info (LOVE your blog btw!)
Barbara in TN
Jaime, Would love to see a video on this picture mantel. Did you happen to make one?
Sorry Patricia I don’t have any video of this project. This was done well before I started videoing anything.