Furniture Plans: 4-Foot Mantel Wall Shelf

The decorative 4-Foot Mantel Wall Shelf Plans makes a beautiful place to display photos and other decorations. It takes provides the look of the fireplace mantel without a fireplace. It looks beautiful with a glaze or distressed finish.

Estimated Cost: $35

Dimensions:

The overall size of the project is 4 feet wide by 8 inches tall.

Mantel Wall Shelf Overall Dimensions

Tools:

• Table saw
• Miter saw
• Pneumatic 16 gauge nail gun (2 inch to 2 ½ inch finish nails), 18 gauge brad nail gun (with 5/8 inch brad nails) and air compressor
• Router with a keyhole bit*

*Recommended, but you could buy mounting hardware in lieu of the keyhole bit.

Lumber:

• ¾ inch x 2 foot x 4 foot Medium Density Fiberboard Handy Panel (HD Model # 1508112 Store SKU # 219743) One MDF piece @ $11.55
• Crown molding (we used crown that was 2-1/4-in x 8-ft) One 8-foot piece @ $10.24
• Trim piece (we used House of Fara 21/64 in. x 5/8 in. x 4 ft. Basswood Panel Moulding Model # TT14 Internet # 202087498 Store SKU # 333696) (3) pieces @1.98/each

Materials:

• Paint
• Wood glue
• Woodfiller
• Sandpaper
• Finish nails

Cut List:

• Cut the top piece from the ¾-inch MDF at 48 inches long by 6 inches wide.
• Cut the front piece from the ¾-inch MDF at 43 1/2 inches long (measured from long point of the bevel to long point of the bevel) by 7 ¼ inches wide with a 90 degree bevel on both ends.
• Cut the side pieces from the ¾-inch MDF at 3 ¾ inches long (measured from long point of the bevel to square end) by 7 1/4 inches wide with a bevel on the front side.
• Cut the bottom piece at 42 inches long by 2 ¼ inches wide.
• Cut the back at 42 inches long by 7 ¼ inches wide.
• Cut the crown to fit (it will be 42 inches along the front and 3 ¾ inches along the side)

Mantel Shelf Front Dimensions

Mantel Shelf Back Dimensions

Instructions

Step 1:  The first step is to cut out all the pieces. Glue the mitered joints together and use crown clamps as they dry (if you have them).

Step 2:  If you have a keyhole router bit, place keyholes in the side piece about 2/3 to ¾ of the way up. Click here for tips on how to use a keyhole router bit.

Step 3:  Join the sides, front, bottom and back together with 2-inch to 2 ½ inch 16 gauge finish nails. Center the box with the top piece and nail it together with 16 gauge finish nails as well.

Step 4:  Mark out the front trim pieces by marking the outside lines with an adjustable combination square or a tape measure and straight edge.

Step 5:  Cut the front trim pieces with the miter saw at 90 degrees. There are (4) 16 inch pieces (measured from long point to the long point), (6) 3 ¼ inch pieces (measured from long point to the long point), and (2) 7 ½ inch pieces (measured from long point to the long point). Place the pieces on the traced lines and nail them in with your 18 gauge brad nail gun (with 5/8 inch brad nails).

Mantel Shelf Front Trim Pieces Layout

Step 6:  Cut the crown molding to fit along the top of the shelf and nail it together with your 18 gauge brad nail gun (with 5/8 inch brad nails). Click for tips on cutting crown molding and creating a perfect crown molding joint using these crown clamps.

Step 7:  Fill in the holes with wood filler, sand and paint.

Step 8:  Mount your shelf and display your favorite family photos or house decorations!