DIY Geometric Display Shelves

Next up in Deck The Walls: simple and versatile geometric shelves. Not just one, but 5 different shapes!

Hi, it’s Amy from Hertoolbelt back with another build plan.  Geometric display shelves, especially hexagon, and gallery walls are so popular for wall decor.  Why not combine the two trends using various sizes of geometric shaped display shelves?

inspiration images via 1 – 2 – 3 – 4

This building plan includes plans for five different display box shapes:  hexagon, house, square, rectangular, and triangle. The plans are simple to make as-is, and simple to change shelf height or depth, too. Add a back, or leave it off; leave the wood natural, or stain/paint it. Use a row of the same shapes, or mix up the shapes and sizes. Hang them on the wall, or set one (or more) on a shelf or tabletop. These little shelves are easy but versatile!

How to Build Geometric Display Shelves

Materials

• 1″x 6″ boards (actual 3/4″ x 5 1/2″), the quantity depends on how many shelves you are building
• 5 mm underlayment plywood – sheet or 1/2 sheet, for optional backing
• 1 1/2″ brad nails
• 3/4″ brad nails
• wood glue
• sand paper
• wood filler
• picture hangers
• paint/stain as needed

image source 1 // 2: unknown // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 //

Hexagon Shelf – Small

Cut List

• 6 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 7″ long with 60 degree miter cuts on both ends
• 3/16″ x 14″ x 12 1/8″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the hexagon shelf by changing the 7″ length to your desired length.

An easy way to make the cuts for the hexagon is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 30 deg.  Cut 6 pieces of 1×6 that are 7″ long with miter cuts on each end, see diagram.  Add wood glue to each miter end, assemble the hexagon, nail the hexagon shape together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.  If you have a strap clamp (or ratcheting tie down strap) it may be helpful to clamp the hexagon together to assist in assembly.

 You can add a back to the hexagon shelf if you want.  You can either tack it onto the back or you can inset it, as shown in the large hexagon shelf plan.  Trace the shape of the hexagon shelf onto the plywood and cut it out (use a jig saw or a circular saw)  Use wood glue and 3/4″ brad nails to attach the back onto the shelf.  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger to the back.

Hexagon Shelf – Large

Cut List

• 6 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 9″ long with 60 degree miter cuts on both ends
• 3/16″ x 17 1/8″ x 14 7/8″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the hexagon shelf by changing the 9″ length to your desired length.

An easy way to make the cuts for the hexagon is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 30 deg.  Cut 6 pieces of 1×6 that are 9″ long with miter cuts on each end, see diagram.  The back is optional, you can either tack it onto the back (see hexagon shelf – small) or inset it.  To make the back inset, cut a groove in the back of the 6 pieces.  Make the groove about 3/8″ tall x 3/16″ deep or whatever thickness your plywood is.  Cut the back from plywood, on the sides mark the middle and cut 30 degrees from each center mark to make a hexagon.Add wood glue to each miter end, assemble the hexagon, nail the hexagon shape together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.  If you have a strap clamp (or ratcheting tie down strap) it may be helpful to clamp the hexagon together to assist in assembly.  After assembling the hexagon, glue and nail the back into the inset groove (trim as necessary).  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger to the back.

image source 1 // 2: source unknown // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

House Shelf

Cut List

• 2 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 7 1/8″, with 45 deg miter cuts on each end facing the same direction
• 2 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 10 1/2″, with a 45 deg miter cut on one end
• 1 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 10″
• 3/16″ x 10″ x 16 1/2″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the house shelf by changing the 7 1/8″ length and 10 1/2″ length to your desired lengths, then cut the bottom piece to fit.

An easy way to make the miter cuts for the house shelf is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 45 deg.  Cut 2 pieces of 1×6 that are 7 1/8″ long with miter cuts on each end facing the same direction, see diagram.  Cut 2 pieces of 1×6 that are 10 1/2″ long with a 45 deg miter cut on one end, see diagram.  Cut a piece of 1×6 that is 10″ long.

Assemble the house shelf with wood glue and nail the house shape together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.  You can add a back to the house shelf if you want.  You can either tack it onto the back or you can inset it, as shown in the large hexagon shelf plan.  To tack it to the back, trace the shape of the house shelf onto the plywood and cut it out (use a jig saw or a circular saw)  Use wood glue and 3/4″ brad nails to attach the back onto the shelf.  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger to the back.  

image source 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6

Square Shelf

Cut List

• 4 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 10″ long with 45 degree miter cuts on both ends
• 3/16″ x 10″ x 10″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the square shelf by changing the 10″ length to your desired length.

An easy way to make the cuts for the square is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 45 deg.  Cut 4 pieces of 1×6 that are 10″ long with miter cuts on each end, see diagram.  Add wood glue to each miter end, assemble the square, nail the corners together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.  If you have a strap clamp (or ratcheting tie down strap) it may be helpful to clamp the square together to assist in assembly.

 You can add a back to the square shelf if you want.  You can either tack it onto the back or you can inset it, as shown in the large hexagon shelf plan and rectangle shelf plan.  To tack it onto the back, cut a piece of plywood 10″ x 10″, glue and nail it onto the back with 3/4″ brad nails.  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger to the back.

Rectangular Shelf

Cut List

• 2 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 15″ long with 45 degree miter cuts on both ends
• 2 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 10″ long with 45 degree miter cuts on both ends
• 3/16″ x 14 1/4″ x 9 1/4″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the rectangular shelf by changing the 10″ vertical length and 15″ horizontal length to your desired length.

An easy way to make the cuts for the rectangular shelf is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 45 deg.  Cut 2 pieces of 1×6 that are 15″ long with miter cuts on each end and 2 pieces of 1×6 that are 10″ long with miter cuts on each end, see diagram.  

The back is optional, you can either tack it onto the back (see hexagon shelf – small and square shelf) or inset it.  To make the back inset, cut a groove in the back of the 4 pieces.  Make the groove about 3/8″ tall x 3/16″ deep or whatever thickness your plywood is.  
Assemble the rectangle shelf by adding wood glue to each miter end, nail the corners together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.  If you have a strap clamp (or ratcheting tie down strap) it may be helpful to clamp the shelf together to assist in assembly.  After assembling, glue and nail the back into the inset groove (trim as necessary).  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger.  

image source 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 source unknown // 5 source unknown // 6 // 7

Triangle Shelf

Cut List

• 3 – 3/4″ x 5 1/2″ x 15 3/4″ long with 30 degree miter cuts on both ends towards each other
• 3/16″ x 16 5/8″ x 14 3/8″ plywood – optional

Note:  Easily change the size of the triangle shelf by changing the length of the sides.

An easy way to make the cuts for the triangle shelf is with a compound miter saw.  Set the bevel (head tilt) to 30 deg.  Cut 3 pieces of 1×6 that are 15 3/4″ long with miter cuts on each end with the miters towards each other, see diagram.  

Assemble the triangle, use wood glue and nail the triangle shape together with 1 1/2″ min brad nails.

The back is optional, you can either tack it onto the back (see hexagon shelf – small and square shelf) or inset it.  To tack it on the back, trace the shape of the triangle shelf onto the plywood and cut it out (use a jig saw or a circular saw)  Use wood glue and 3/4″ brad nails to attach the back onto the shelf.  Let the glue dry fully.  Add a picture hanger to the back.  

Finish

Remove any excess glue, apply wood filler to holes, cracks and blemishes and allow to dry.  Sand the shelves until smooth finishing with 120-150 grit sand paper, always finish sanding in the direction of the grain.  Stain or paint the shelves and allow to dry.

For more build plans check out Hertoolbelt:

Star Wars Shelf // Geometric Wall // Mail Organizer

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Coming up in Deck The Walls:

tips for putting together a modern gallery wall

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