How to make a hanging shelf from scrap wood in 5 steps Making a hanging shelf from scrap wood and rope can be a fun, inexpensive and simple way of enhancing your home that allows you to display small potted plants or your favourite decorative items in a very special way. DIY beginners can make a simple, single shelf, while experienced handymen can have a go at creating a more complex shelving. Its look can be further upgraded with the macrame technique of knotting rope. To make a hanging shelf from scrap wood you will need: a scrap wooden board, additional wooden boards (if you are making several shelves), rope, a drill and drill bit with all the necessary attachments, sandpaper, a cloth for wiping dirt, hanging hooks, nuts (if preferred for attaching the shelves to the rope), Belinka Interier wood stain in the selected hue. The method of making a hanging shelf from scrap wood: The board for the shelf should be as level as possible, because you will be placing small potted plants and ornaments on it. Also examine the condition of the board. It should be dry and free of wood pests. Then decide where to hang the shelf and how much room is available for it. This will help you assess how big it should be. If needed, cut the board to size. Next, smooth it down with rough and then with fine sandpaper. Work along the wood grain and after sanding, thoroughly clean the board with a cloth for wiping dirt. You can now drill four equally sized holes into the board. Drill each hole 38-millimetres from the edge. If the board is rectangular, you can make this step easier by cutting out a square piece of paper with 38-millimetre sides. Place the paper square along the side of the board and mark the corner of the paper with a dot where the holes will be drilled. If the board has an irregular shape and drilling holes is not an option, you can hang it up with some ingenious rope knotting. Now the board is ready to be coated with your preferred hue of the Belinka Interier wood stain, designed to protect wood in interiors. The wood stain, which protects and enhances wood, is an excellent choice for undemanding furniture and shelves. It is available in nine standard shades, as well as 76 colour tones on the Belinka MIX colour chart. Once the wooden board is completely dry, you can move on to its assembly and mounting. The shelf can be hung on the ceiling or the wall. Measure the distance from the ceiling (or wall) to the point on the wall where you want the shelf to hang. Multiply this figure by two because you need to double each length of rope. Add 45 cm for each knot to be made on the rope. If you are good with your hands, your can apply the macrame technique to the rope to make the shelf look even more special and unique. Any type of rope is suitable, such as sisal, bamboo or hemp rope. For the best end result, match the rope colour with the wood and the style of your home. Now you can attach the hanging hooks to the ceiling or wall, taking into account the distance between the holes drilled into the shelf. Once you have measured it, mark the points on the ceiling with a pencil and screw in the hanging hooks. If required, use plugs for the screw hooks. Now it is time for the last step of mounting the shelf to the ceiling or wall. Pull the rope through the hanging hooks. Adjust the rope length so that the shelf is in horizontal position. Thread the rope through the four holes in the board and tie a knot under the board at each of the four ends. There it is! Your charming decorative shelf is finished. Its unique look will embellish your home and is certain to draw a lot of admiration. Are you a true DIY expert? Make a set of shelves with multiple shelves and rope To make a set of shelves from scrap wood and rope you will need several boards of the selected size. Just like when making a single shelf, sand down the boards, protect them with Belinka Interier wood stain and then let them dry completely. Drill four holes into each board. Use a drill bit wider than your rope so that the hole is big enough to pass the rope through. Then determine the rope length. Measure the distance from the hanging hardware to the planned height of the shelf. Double this figure. Now add 45 cm for each knot. Each rope will have a knot under each shelf (you need two ropes for each shelf). Note that the knots can be quite bulky. It is better to end up with some excess rope than too little. If the rope turns out to be too long you can always cut it off. Start threading the rope through a hole in the bottom shelf. With the rope threaded through the first hole, tie a knot right under the shelf, then repeat until the last shelf. Now pull the rope through the other holes on the same side of the shelf. Be sure to leave enough space between the shelves for all the decorative objects you want to place on them. Instead of knots, you can attach the rope to the shelves with metal nuts, which should be positioned right under the shelves. Now all you have to do is hang the shelving on the hanging hooks. Measure the width between your holes, mark and drill the holes for the hooks, and attach the hooks. Use two hooks, one for each rope. Before you start decorating your shelves, check the weight limit for the hooks used. A hanging shelf or set of shelves from scrap wood combined with rope is the perfect way to give your home a personal touch. This trendy shelf works beautifully as an addition to an empty wall or nook, it is easy to make and perfect for those who like to change their home decoration frequently. Are you excited about enhancing your home with the shelf and starting a new DIY project?
