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Home » Build It » How to Build a Floating TV Shelf

How to Build a Floating TV Shelf

September 27, 2017 Shara M 6 Comments

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Floating TV ShelfHow to Build a Floating TV Shelf

Hey guys!  It’s Shara here again from Woodshop Diaries and I’m so excited to show you this cute new floating TV shelf I made to hold your TV and components!  It’s modern, sleek, and does its job without taking up a lot of space.  It also has two open cubbies to house DVD players, wireless routers, modems, etc.

Floating TV Shelf

This shelf is very easy to build and doesn’t require any special tools.  You can have it done in a couple hours and hung on the wall in about five minutes.

So are you ready to learn How to Build Your Own Floating TV Shelf?

Floating TV Shelf Materials:

  • Miter Saw
  • Drill
  • Circular Saw (or table saw)
  • Tape measure
  • 1 ¼” hole saw
  • (1) 2″x 4″ x 8′ OR (1) 2″x 6″ x 8′
  • 2′ x 4′ x ¾” plywood
  • Edge banding
  • 2 ½” wood screws
  • 1 ¼” wood screws
  • Wood glue
  • Finish of your choice (paint or stain)
  • Level

Floating TV Shelf Cut List:

  • (1) 1 ½” x 3 ½” x 48″ (back of TV shelf frame)
  • (3) 1 ½” x 3 ½” x 10½” (TV shelf supports)
  • (2) ¾” x 12″ x 48″ (top and bottom of shelf)

Floating TV Shelf Instructions:

Step 1: Assemble Floating TV Shelf Frame

Depending on how tall you want your shelf, you can either use a 2″x 4″ (which would make the opening in your shelf 3 ½” tall).  Or you can use a 2″x 6″ (which would make the opening 5 ½” tall).  If you have a table saw, you can rip whatever size board to the custom height you want.  (For this build, I ripped a 2″x 6″ down to 4″ wide for my frame.)

Once you determine the width you want, cut a piece at 48″ long.  Then, cut your three pieces at 10 ½” long.

Floating TV Shelf

Glue, clamp and screw two of the short boards onto the ends of the long board.

Floating TV Shelf

Then glue and screw the third short board in the center using 2 ½” screws.  (Remember to pre-drill before screwing.) Your assembled shelf should look like this:

Floating TV Shelf

Floating TV Shelf

Step 2: Holes for Cables and Cords

Use a 1 ¼” or larger hole saw to drill a hole through the middle of the center shelf support.  This will allow cords to run between sections depending on where the power cords need to go.  (Make sure to avoid the screws holding the board in place when drilling your hole.)

Floating TV Shelf

Step 3: Add Plywood Top and Bottom to Frame

Use table saw or circular saw to cut the ¼ sheet of plywood in half to give you two 12″ x 48″ pieces. Sand the edges smooth. Apply edge banding to the plywood edges.  You can follow Brittany’s tutorial for finishing off plywood with edge-banding if you need more instructions.

Floating TV Shelf

Remove any excess banding with a sander to make your edges clean and smooth.

Floating TV Shelf

Determine where you will need holes for cords in the top and/or bottom of your floating shelf. Drill your holes in the plywood where needed.

Floating TV Shelf

Center the plywood on the shelf. Use 1 ¼” wood screws to attach the plywood to the shelf supports.  Flip the shelf over and repeat the process for the bottom.

Floating TV Shelf

Step 4:  Finish the TV Shelf

Putty all screw holes and sand the shelf well.  Paint or stain as desired.  (I stained my shelf using Minwax Early American and then dry-brushed white paint on top. Finally I used the sander to distress the shelf in random spots.

Floating TV Shelf

Step 5: Install

Grab a helper to hold the shelf during installation. Find the location you want your shelf to hang. Use a level to make sure the shelf is level. Locate at least 2 studs (3 is better) behind the shelf and use at least four (two per stud) 2 ½” screws to attach through the back of the shelf into the studs. And that’s it.  You’re done!

Floating TV Shelf

Such a simple, yet stylish and functional project!  What do you guys think?  Is this something you would try in your living room or bedroom for somewhere to set your TV without taking up a large footprint?  I love this idea!  I hope you enjoyed this project!

Pin this tutorial to share the DIY inspiration:

Floating TV Shelf

Shara's Signature~Read more of Shara’s Tutorials~

 

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Comments

  1. Betsey says

    November 14, 2019 at 7:17 pm

    Hi! How did you run power to this shelf?

    Reply
  2. Dana says

    July 17, 2019 at 10:00 pm

    How exactly dis you mount the shelf to the wall? Did you use anything soecific? Did you use a shelf bracket for support? Or just a screw right through the shelf to the stud? Just worried about weight of tv and the shelf

    Reply
    • Brittany Bailey says

      August 4, 2019 at 7:11 pm

      The screws are driven through the back of the shelf (2×4 board the supports are attached to) and into the studs. Because the depth of the shelf is only 12″, the shelf should hold the weight of a flat screen TV and components without any problem.)

      Reply
  3. Ann says

    September 29, 2017 at 11:25 pm

    How did you handle getting power and cable to the shelf? I didn’t see anything about that aspect, just the holes within the shelf.

    Reply
  4. Ivory says

    September 27, 2017 at 9:16 pm

    What a great. Idea. I love this , fabulous

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Brittany aka Pretty Handy Girl. I like the smell of coffee and sawdust in the morning. I live to break stereotypes and empower you to take on your own DIY project.

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