Wooden Wall Shelf Grain

 

When considering a wooden wall shelf, the primary consideration is the wood species.  Obviously, each type of wood offers a different appearance, degree of hardness and strength, longevity, workability, and even price. Obviously, the type of wood is one important factor for a wooden wall shelf but another dynamic is the wood’s grain.  Just as wood has a unique appearance, part of this is the grain.

 

As you look at each wood species, such as birch, pine, oak, cherry, mahogany, maple, walnut, teak, and bamboo, you will find that some have little or no visible grain while others such as pine has a lot.  Depending on the wood, the grain appearance might be strong and powerful while in other cases, grain appears more as fine veins.  In addition to the size of the grain, your wooden wall shelf would have unique variations in color and color contrast.

 

If you were to make a wooden wall shelf from birch, the coloring would be medium brown whereas a frosted maple gives the appearance of being off-gray.  Then along with the coloring, are the streaks or grain, which again can be pronounced or subtle.  Typically, the type of wooden wall shelf and the associated grain would help you decide the best look for your needs.

 

As an example, most people who prefer a more rustic or informal type of wooden wall shelf will go with pine or oak.  Pine has bold, dramatic knots and grain, which looks great for southwest décor, completing the rustic or cabin type look.  However, mahogany, which is deep and rich in color, has only slight grain, making it a much more appropriate choice for elegant and formal rooms.

 

If you plan to make the wooden wall shelf yourself, you might even consider using more than one type of wood, or using a primary wood species as the main planks and other wood species for edging, scallops, and other embellishments.  Remember, there is no wrong or right when considering the type of wood and the level and intensity of the grain you want.  Instead, the decision is simply based on the decorum and style of the room, along with personal preference.

 

To get a much better idea as to wood and grain to help you with your decision, you might conduct a search online.  With thousands of photographs on the internet, this will make the decision-making process far easier.  The bottom line is that along with the color of the wood, there are other considerations when choosing to buy or make a wooden wall shelf.

Easy Steps for Installing a Wood Wall Shelf

Often, when someone wants to purchase a new wood wall shelf, they will do research online or go shopping locally.  Once the wood wall shelf is purchased, the next step is to choose the area where it will be hung.  Then, with a few easy steps, you can have your new shelving up in no time, ready for books, collections, artwork, plants, or whatever you want to display.  All you need is a few basic tools, a little bit of time, desire, patience, and good instructions.

 

Although there are all types of instructions associated with installing a wood wall shelf, we wanted to provide you with some basic steps to show you how easy this type of project is.  When done, you can sit back and enjoy something wonderful that you did and in very little time.  The instructions below are for a simple wood wall shelf but even the more complicated wood wall shelf designs are not difficult.

 

• Start by determining the wall area where the shelving will go and then finding the studs.  Most homes are made with drywall, which makes finding the stud easy.  For this, you can use an inexpensive stud finder or a hammer.  The stud finder is slid over the wall, indicating where the studs are located.  The hammer would be gently tapped on the wall and when the sound goes from hollow to solid, you know you found a stud.  Once the stud’s edge is found, make a simple mark with a pencil.  Remember, you will need to find two studs but if not, you can always use long screw to ensure both sides of the wood wall shelf are secure.

 

• With the two stud edges marked, the next step is to take a drill and 1/8 inch drill bit to create pilot holes.  This helps when you get ready to screw the standards in place so the wall itself is not damaged

 

• Now, the first standard will be installed for the wood wall shelf, using 2 ½ inch long flathead wood screws that go directly into the pilot hole.  When the first standard is in place, the second one would be installed.  One important note – make sure a level is used to ensure the tops of the standards are even and that the standards are vertically level.  In addition, while you want to screws to be in securely, make sure they are not too tight in that they can get stripped.  Start with the top of the standards, screwing them in place and then the bottom.  Additionally, the standards need to be properly spaced according to the wood wall shelf itself.

 

• After both standards for the wood wall shelf are securely in place, the brackets need to be installed.  For this step, simply attach them onto the standards at the height needed

 

• Once the brackets are in proper place, the actual shelves are slid on top.  The final step for installing a wood wall shelf is to bore a hole that measures ½ inch in diameter, going through the front portion of the bracket at the mounting hold.  Be careful not to let the drill go all the way through but about half way through.  Then with the shelf held firmly in place, use a 1 ¼ inch long flathead wood screw to drive up and through the bracket and into the actual shelf.  Do this for all the shelves and when done, you have a functional and secure wood wall shelf unit to enjoy.

Making Wood Wall Shelves

Finding wood wall shelves online or at local stores is easy but if you want to get involved with a do-it-yourself project, why not make your own shelving unit!  Many people love being creative and making shelves is one way.  Although making wood wall shelves takes a little time and patience, the finished product is worth the investment of money, time, and effort.  The following are great instructions for building your own wood wall shelves to give you an idea of what all is involved.

 

First, you need to get the proper tools together to include a skill saw, t-square, level, wall anchors, decorative brackets, wood for the shelves, pencil, stud finder, gloves, wood stain, goggles, sandpaper, and newspaper or drop cloth.  One you have everything organized, the fun begins in building your very own wood wall shelves.

 

• Wood – For your wood wall shelves, the choice of wood is important.  Of course, you want wood that will enhance the style of the room, but also wood species that will be strong, durable, and last for years to come.  Additionally, some wood species are easier to work with than others so if making wood wall shelves is your first project, consider something that is easier.

 

• Sanding – With the wood chosen, put on the eye protection and with the sandpaper, begin gently going over the wood, making sure you move in the direction of the wood’s grain.

 

• Measurements – Next, the wall where the wood wall shelves will be installed needs to be measured.  This way, you will be able to cut the wood to size with one end going flush with the end of the wall.

 

• Drawing – With the wood placed across a sawhorse and on the workbench, you want to put the t-square on the end of the wood.  Then, a line would be drawn so one end of the wood can be angled and on the wood ends that will fit together when hung for corners.  The outcome is perfectly matching wood so your wood wall shelves look professionally made.  Additionally, with the t-square, the wood is marked.

 

• Cutting – On the angles you marked, the wood is cut with the skill saw.  When done, carefully brush off the sawdust and put the cut piece off to the side.

 

• Anchors – At this point, the anchors need to be inserted on both ends at the location where the shelf’s ends will correspond.  If your wood wall shelves will be used for displaying or holding heavier type objects, we recommend in addition to having a bracket on each end of the wood to also add one in the middle for the added support.

 

• Brackets – After getting the wall anchors in, the brackets would be attached to the wall. An easy way to ensure the brackets are perfectly level is to place the wood shelf piece on top of the bracket and with the level, check.  Additionally, be sure to check the levelness of the wood wall shelves on both ends and again, in the middle.

 

• Staining – Place the newspaper or drop cloth down so you can start the staining process of the wood.  For this, simply follow the instructions on the can and to make the job go quickest, use a roller.  Remember, apply one coat of stain to the wood wall shelves and then if you want, you can always add more to darken the color.  Along with staining the top and sides, you should also add stain to the underneath side so the shelving unit looks professional.  Once dry, the wood is ready to have a coat of polyurethane added, which gives the wood a strong, beautiful finish.

 

• Placing – After the wood is dry, set it on top of the brackets, using wood screws to attach together.  If you choose regular metal screws, you can hide them to make the wood wall shelves more attractive simply by dabbing matching color to the head of the screw.

 

• Display – After you have the new, wood wall shelves firmly in place, all you need to do is start decorating.  When done, you can stand back and be in awe of what you accomplished.