5 DIY Shelves to Add Style and Storage to Your Home

A simple solution to many storage woes is as easy as installing a shelf. Make the most of extra shelving in your home by filling it with artwork or using it as a small table or desk. Here we show you our favorite shelving projects for various rooms in your home. You'll love the versatility of built-in shelves in the entryway and the functionality of a bathroom shelf that doubles as a medicine cabinet. Pick a favorite project and learn how to build your own shelves using our expert tips.

Learn how to build an industrial pipe shelving unit like the one in this kitchen.

Entryway Floorboard Shelf

If your entryway is too narrow for a table or bench, hang a DIY shelf instead. This one holds mail and artwork and serves as a place to drop keys and wallets as you walk in the door. A bracket shelf made from the home's old floorboards added the perfect amount of storage space to hold a small basket for drop-zone clutter.

Hanging Rope Shelf

The key to a unique space is to rethink the way you see everyday objects, such as tables, lights, or shelves. This bathroom needed some extra storage for pampering products, so instead of hiding items behind cabinet doors, we put everything on display with DIY hanging shelves. The spa-inspired design is made with wood boards and heavy-duty rope. It's easy to make and matches well with every style.

Learn how to make a hanging rope shelf here.

Bedside Shelf

In a small bedroom, you might want to swap your bedside table plans for some smart shelving ideas. Elegant curved brackets and a plain board trimmed with carved molding make this dreamy bedside shelf. It boasts all the space you need for bedtime necessities and doesn't take up much-needed floor space. Use the open area below to store decorative baskets for blankets or to install more floating shelves to serve as a shoe rack.

Bathroom Shelf Combo

In a tiny bathroom, small floating shelves can stand in for a medicine cabinet. They can also be slightly modified to hold a towel, too. We made both upgrades with this double-duty DIY wall shelf. Use our tips to learn how to install a dowel rod between shelf brackets for a handy fix in a cramped space.