• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
  • SHOP
  • Widget area for main menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jaime Costiglio

build - paint - sew

  • BUILD
    • BEDS
    • BENCHES
    • DESKS
    • DRESSERS
    • GAMES & TOYS
    • SCRAP WOOD
    • SHELVES
    • STORAGE
    • TABLES
  • TOOLS
  • PAINT
    • CRAFTS
    • FURNITURE
    • HOME DECOR
  • SEW
    • GIFTS
    • HOME DECOR
    • POUCHES
  • HANDBUILT HOLIDAY
    • 2021
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
  • GIFTS
    • BABIES
    • KIDS
    • FOR HER
    • FOR HIM
    • TEACHERS
    • WEDDINGS
  • SEASONAL
    • 4TH OF JULY
    • FALL
    • HALLOWEEN
    • CHRISTMAS
    • SUMMER
    • SPRING
    • ST. PATRICK’S DAY
    • THANKSGIVING
    • VALENTINE’S DAY
    • WINTER
  • SALTBOX PROJECT
    • BATHROOMS
    • DINING ROOM
    • EXTERIOR
    • FAMILY ROOM
    • FOYER / MUDROOM
    • KIDS BEDROOMS
    • KITCHEN
    • LIVING ROOM
    • MASTER BEDROOM
    • PLAYROOM
  • SCROLL SAW

Easy Pretty Plywood Shelves

October 16, 2018

This post about plywood shelves is sponsored by Build Something.  Most homeowners dream of beautifully organized closets with easy access.  Let’s make those dreams come true with simple plywood shelves.  It’s easier than you think and completely customizable for your closet space.

plywood shelves in linen closet

A DIY tutorial for making easy and pretty plywood shelves for your linen closet. Make your closet organized, functional and user friendly with shelves.

I’m honestly giddy over this project because it brings me such joy and happiness seeing my linen closet looking so good.  I haven’t done a closet makeover since I tackled my girls walk-in closet a few years back.  I sure hope you have a closet that needs some love and attention so you too can benefit from these easy plywood shelves.

plywood shelves detail

I’ve partnered with Build Something to create this project.  If you enjoy building and working with wood you should check out their site here.  It’s full of free step-by-step project plans with lots of DIY building projects.  They have a large library of certified plans and plans submitted by woodworkers and hobbyists.  Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for free plans in a wide variety of categories.

But first a few more details on these plywood shelves – like how they are removable if you want to store something taller.

plywood shelves removeable

Because what you store may change over time and you don’t want to be completely locked in.  You can simply lift up the shelf and remove it to make space for taller items.

Construction Process:

For this project I used the Kreg Accu-Cut guide track to rip and cut plywood shelves.  The Kreg Accu-Cut is a great tool and works in place of a table saw:

  • rip and cut plywood (up to 48″ long)
  • track stays in place with anti-slip strips attached to underside
  • uses a universal sled mounted to circular saw

cutting plywood using Kreg accu-cut

I use my Kreg Accu-Cut when cutting down large to handle pieces that would be unsafe on the table saw.

Ready for a scene from real life?  We moved into this house six years ago and I have not touched this closet except to throw things inside.  Look at the mess!

linen closet before

I’m almost too embarrassed to share how gross and slovenly we appear.  That poor linen closet was severely neglected mostly because there were no shelves.  I finally took control of the situation and installed these pretty plywood shelves.

plywood shelves with trim

There was quite a bit of prep work to be done before the shelves could go in but it was worth all the effort.  Removing wallpaper and old hanging bars, repairing trim, spackling and caulk and finally everything was painted white.  You cannot go wrong with white paint especially in a closet and I absolutely love the contrast of the white against the warm wood tones.

plywood shelves at door trim

Look how beautifully they fit into place and no notching or any fancy cuts required.  I’m sharing the details over at Build Something here so you can make these shelves too.  Cheers to all the organized, beautiful and functional linen closets!

Thanks for joining me for this pretty plywood shelf project.  Please leave any questions in the comments below and be sure to follow me on social media for sneak peeks, tools and project inspiration:

Instagram / Pinterest / Facebook / Youtube / Twitter

SHOP THIS PROJECT:

diy pretty plywood shelves

easy plywood shelves

You may also like...

  • Simple Storage MirrorSimple Storage Mirror
  • DIY 16 Drawer Dresser free plansDIY 16 Drawer Dresser free plans
  • DIY Wall BinsDIY Wall Bins
  • DIY Replica Vintage Shelving (free plans)DIY Replica Vintage Shelving (free plans)
Share this post:

Filed Under: DIY, ORGANIZATION, SALTBOX PROJECT, SHELVES, STORAGE24 Comments

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Handy Squad says

    October 25, 2018 at 8:56 AM

    That turned out really great! Looks so much better!

    Reply
  2. Liz C says

    November 2, 2018 at 9:52 AM

    I see a cord hanging – is this closet closed by a blind? I’m interested to see what it looks like in full. I have a similar linen closet nook in a half bath and no place for a door. Thx!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      November 2, 2018 at 10:16 AM

      Hi Liz, the cord hanging is for the ceiling light. I will be sharing this full closet makeover in January but there is a door. You could hang a curtain on a rod above to cover your shelves? Or a sliding barn door if there’s space to slide? Good luck!

      Reply
  3. Alexis Pope says

    January 23, 2019 at 10:35 AM

    Hi Jaime!
    Thanks for posting this! It’s a huge help! I’m looking to remove old wire shelves from an open linen closet in my bathroom and put in these shelves. My husband mentioned that plywood warps easily and we do not have a fan in our bathroom. Do you anticipate that being a problem? Any recommendations on a seal that could help prevent this? Or could I use solid wood instead?

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      January 23, 2019 at 12:29 PM

      Hi Alexis, So happy to hear you’re making wood shelves for your bathroom. It depends on how large (wide) your shelves are but in my experience plywood is much more stable than solid wood and won’t expand / contract with the humidity changes as much. If your shelves are narrow (less than 24″ wide) I would go with plywood. If you’re really worried try using a laminated plywood like melamine. It comes white and doesn’t accept paint well but it wipes easily and is probably your best option in a bathroom without a fan. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  4. Jessica Waller says

    February 8, 2019 at 8:56 PM

    I am in love with this idea! I cant wait to do this in our linen closest. I have tribed to find the tutorial but I am having difficulties. Is there something I’m missing perhaps! Thanks so much and again what a fantastic idea-and to think I was going to spend several hundred dollars trying to make floating shelves

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      February 10, 2019 at 7:44 AM

      Thanks Jessica, the tutorial is linked above but I will leave it here too: https://www.buildsomething.com/plans/PDC9EDB86A390621E/Plywood-Shelves-for-Closet Good luck with your linen closet!

      Reply
      • Amber says

        February 11, 2021 at 9:45 PM

        Thank you so much for the diy for these! Just made closet 1000 times nicer!!!

        Reply
  5. Chauntae says

    March 1, 2019 at 9:30 AM

    Thanks for leaving the link here Jamie I couldn’t find it either

    Reply
  6. Kim says

    April 17, 2019 at 10:05 AM

    Looks great and creates a nice showcase! If I did something like this, my suggestion is to put a thin bead of caulk to fill in any gaps in and around doorframe.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      April 17, 2019 at 11:04 AM

      Thanks Kim. Theses shelves aren’t attached to the cleats in the event I want to remove a shelf for taller / larger items (vacuum cleaner etc) so no caulk for me but certainly a good idea.

      Reply
  7. Brandilyn says

    July 14, 2019 at 12:34 PM

    You seriously have just saved my pocket book! I’m saying this because I’ve been going crazy trying to find a “cap” or a cheap alternative for covering my pressed wood stairs that are 5 feet wide. I think the cheapest we found is around $800 and that was for something we didn’t really even care for. I never thought about using plywood. I saw your shelves and a light bulb went off for me. This tutorial will apply wonderfully for a stair tread cap. I luv it!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      July 15, 2019 at 6:46 AM

      Love hearing this and so clever of you to think about applying it to stairs. I bet they will come out beautiful! Good luck

      Reply
  8. Dawn Cerino says

    August 22, 2019 at 5:11 PM

    Hi Jaime love how the closet turned out. We are doing the same to our tiny linen closet. Could you tell me the spacing you used between shelves. Thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      August 23, 2019 at 6:52 AM

      Hi Dawn, Thank you and so happy to hear you’re tackling your linen closet. It makes such a huge difference. My shelves have 11″ between them and that’s only because I determined where the bottom and top shelf would be and then divided the space by the number of shelves to get equal spacing. I think 11″ is good unless you need clearance for big fluffy comforters or large storage baskets to slide out. Good luck!

      Reply
  9. Kale H. says

    December 8, 2019 at 12:30 PM

    Thank youuuu!! This tutorial is so simple but i LOVE IT. Putting these sort of shelves into our freshly renovated laundry room ASAP.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      December 8, 2019 at 8:36 PM

      Thank you Kale, good luck with your laundry room shelves!

      Reply
  10. Jeff says

    June 13, 2020 at 6:09 PM

    Love this. I have to span 27.5” across however. Any suggestions? Perhaps a cleat along the back wall? Also any thoughts to going to an 18” depth?
    Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      June 14, 2020 at 7:15 AM

      Hi Jeff, Yes definitely add a cleat along the back wall and 18″ is fine. If you’re loading it heavy (books, etc) I would consider a frame with more short supports throughout, front and back cleats and definitely screw into studs. Good luck!

      Reply
  11. Rochelle Siquig says

    July 7, 2020 at 7:32 PM

    Hi, I totally love this project idea. What thickness of wood did you use for the shelves and for the shelf supports?
    Thanks !

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      July 8, 2020 at 9:01 AM

      Hi Rochelle, The shelves are 3/4″ plywood and the supports are 1×2 pine. Details are in the plans.

      Reply
  12. Abbey says

    August 23, 2020 at 4:36 PM

    Hi Jaime!
    I have had this post and the how-to link open for MONTHS anticipating my husband and I building these shelves! We are so excited, and thankful for your tutorial! In your post and in the tutorial, it doesn’t mention how you attach the front trim (as far as I can see.) I do see parts listed as finishing nails, is that what you did to secure the front trim? So excited to do this!
    Thank you!

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      August 24, 2020 at 12:32 PM

      Hi Abbey, Thanks for your nice note – I love hearing from readers who appreciate an organized closet as much as me! So glad to hear you’re going to tackle the shelves, it will be worth it 100%. Yes the front trim is attached using wood glue and finish nails (or brad nails) depending on your nail gun (or you can just use a hammer as well). I have another version of this project here that has a few other photos that may help: https://jaimecostiglio.com/easy-closet-shelves/
      Best of luck!!

      Reply
  13. Patricia says

    February 10, 2022 at 12:55 PM

    You did a GREAT Job..a sigh of Accomplishment….. Thanks for sharing and showing the “REAL” side.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I’m Jaime

Jaime Costiglio

Hello!

Thank you for stopping by.
Join me for lots of DIY.

Read more

Get new posts via email

Handbuilt Holiday: Gift Project Plans

handbuilt holiday gift project plans

Collection of DIY gift project plans to build.

The Home Depot Tool Prospective

THD Prospective

Tools to consider for the DIYer.

Archives

The Home Depot Logo
Copyright © 2023 Jaime Costiglio · Custom site by Moonsteam Design

Privacy Policy