Build a simple rustic shelf

Lose your fear of DIY jobs. This project is perfect to start because it is suitable for beginners. You just have to measure and fix natural wood shelves and metal legs that, in this case, become the structure of the shelf. What are you going to organize here? Books, photos memories, collections ...

When a piece of furniture that is practical, unique and beautiful is simple to make, it can be said that it has everything. With these step-by-step instructions you can create an aesthetic shelf halfway between the rustic and industrial style of the size you want. We have had three shelves, but you can expand the model according to your storage needs.

Materials & Tools needed

  • Bits and tips
  • Drill / screwdriver
  • Safety glasses
  • Gloves
  • Brush
  • 3 pairs of square metal legs
  • 3 untreated pine wood shelves
  • Screws
  • Varnish

Step 1

Measurement of shelves and connecting holes 

1.1. The shelves. Buy some untreated pine wood shelves, for example, 70 or 90 cm long. In LEROY MERLIN you will find them in different sizes. You just have to keep in mind that if the length of the shelf exceeds 90 cm in length, you should place other legs in the middle of the shelf, between each level, to reinforce the structure and prevent it from curving with time and weight.

1.2. Make the holes to fit the legs. To make the holes in which you will fix the legs, you can measure the place on each shelf, place the leg to mark the exact place of the screw with a pencil and make the hole with a drill (bit 8). Or you can stack two of the three shelves one on top of the other. Fix both with tweezers so they do not move, measure and position the leg to mark the exact place of the screw and make the hole with the drill, so that you will be making the hole on a shelf and marking the exact location on the bottom. Then you will only have to make the hole in the indicated place.

Step 2

Measurement of shelves and connecting holes 

Now fix the legs to each shelf, screwing them on. Except for the legs of the base shelf, the rest must also be screwed at the bottom with screws from 8 so they do not move. So assemble the legs of the central and upper shelf, screwing them on the bottom and top and leaving the legs of the base shelf for the end, which are only screwed by the upper part of the leg to the bottom or base of the shelf .

Step 3

Varnish the shelves  

Since the boards are made of untreated wood, if you want them to better withstand the passage of time and not deteriorate with dust, apply varnish with a brush. Either transparent to maintain its natural tone or to give it a tone in the finish.
 For safety, anchor the bookshelf to the wall so that it does not bear the weight.