Wall Corner Shelf

Cut list

Board layout. Each row is one board, cut left to right, with the remainder hatched. Dark lines are saw cuts, about ⅛″ wide.

Build it

1. 
   01

   Cut the pieces

   Cut every piece on the cut list:

   • A Uprights, two at 30¾″
   • B Shelves, four at 7¼″

   The shelf pieces (B) come out square, as long as the 1x8 is wide.

2. 
   02

   Round the shelves

   On each shelf (B), set a compass or a pencil on a string to 7¼″, put the point in one corner and draw a quarter circle from edge to edge. Cut just outside the line with a jigsaw and sand to the line. The two straight edges that meet at the point are the back edges.

   TipClamp all four squares in a stack, cut the first one, then trace it onto the others so they match.
3. 
   03

   Join the uprights

   Butt the edge of one upright (A) against the face of the other, ends flush, to make an L. Glue the joint and drive three 1⅝″ wood screws through the back of the first upright into the edge of the second, 5″, 15″ and 25″ up from the bottom.

   TipPre-drill and countersink every screw in this plan that goes through the back of an upright. The heads end up against the wall, so they must sit flush or below.
4. 
   04

   Add the shelves

   Mark the shelf lines inside the L: the bottoms of the shelves at 0″, 10″, 20″ and 30″ from the bottom end, so the top shelf is flush with the top. Glue the two back edges of each shelf (B), set it in the L on its line, and drive two 1⅝″ screws through the back of each upright (A) into its edges.

   Watch outKeep these screws in the middle of the shelf's thickness, ⅜″ up from its line, so they don't split out of the top or bottom face.
5. 
   05

   Sand and finish

   Sand with 120 then 180 grit, softening the curved front edges. Paint it to match the wall, or stain and clear coat it.

6. 
   06

   Hang it in the corner

   Find the studs on both walls near the corner with a stud finder. Most corners have framing within the first few inches of at least one wall. Hold the shelf in the corner with the top shelf level and drive three 2½″ screws through the face of each upright (A) between the shelves: into a stud wherever you can.

   Where a screw misses a stud, take it out and use a drywall anchor rated 25 lb or more instead.

   TipIf the corner of the wall is rounded with drywall mud, sand a small bevel along the back corner of the L so it sits tight against both walls.

   Watch outThis is a shelf for plants, photos and small decor, not books. Use at least one screw into a stud on each wall if you can.