Alcove Shelving Ideas | DIY Alcove Shelves

Useful links

An alcove has loads of potential, and we see it as a window of opportunity that's both aesthetically on-trend and practical. Doing something with it makes use of a space that's often otherwise sitting empty, and one very effective solution is an alcove shelving unit. You can lean more into the design side or focus on the space-saving storage element. Either way, it adds an extra dimension to your home. They're built right into the wall and are ideal for storing your essentials and making good use of a hard-to-use space. And what's more, DIY alcove shelves are relatively easy-to-build, and don't require a lot of materials or technical tools. The result is a beautiful, contemporary addition to any room. You can easily customise your project with different colours, finishes, and decorations, so whether you want traditional storage or modern floating alcove shelves, we'll help you get the job done right.

Alcove shelving transforms unused spaces into practical storage, requiring just a tape measure, wood, screws, a drill, and a spirit level.
For a sturdy floating frame, use timber for the supports and MDF for the top, cutting four long pieces for the front and back, and four short pieces for the sides.
Secure the back frame to the wall first, attach the side and front pieces, screw the top shelf into place, and finish by filling holes and painting.

Alcove shelving step-by-step guide

To install your own alcove shelving, follow these steps:

Measuring tape
Spirit level
Pencil
Shelf
Screws
Wall plugs
Drill
Drill bit (for your wall’s material e.g. masonry or plasterboard)
Timber
Saw
Goggles
Dust mask
Paintbrush
Paint or varnish

Start by getting out your tape measure and taking a good look at your space. Think about the size of the alcove in relation to what you're going to put on the shelves and consider how many shelves you actually want to fit in. If they're primarily going to be used for books, it's worth leaving a larger gap between them. This gives you plenty of room for taller hardbacks.
Taking accurate measurements early on makes figuring out how to build shelves into an alcove much simpler. It saves you time and reduces waste later.

Once you've decided on where your shelves are going, use a spirit level before marking out your pencil lines.
Draw straight lines along the wall with a pencil for each shelf.
Then measure the depth of your alcove or decide exactly how deep you want the shelves to be.

When choosing your wood, it's always worth considering any other timber you already have in the room. You ideally want to keep the finish consistent if possible. But that only really applies if you're not going to be painting them.
One simple and practical way to do it is to use MDF for your shelves. Then prepare timber to make a supportive frame for the shelf to sit on. This is the secret to creating secure alcove floating shelves.
You might also want to include a fascia on the front to hide the joins, but that's up to you. When making your choice, think about how sturdy you need the shelves to be. And ultimately, consider how you want them to look.

Now you've got your wood, you can cut it to length.

For each shelf, you'll need two long pieces of timber cut to the width of your alcove. These will run along the entire back wall and at the front of the frame.
Next, you'll also need two short pieces cut to the depth of the alcove. Remember to subtract the depth of the front and back pieces of wood so they fit flush. These are for the sides of your frame.
Finally, you'll need one solid piece that forms your actual shelf top.
- Top tip: If you're cutting MDF, make sure to do it outside. The last thing you want is fine MDF dust getting everywhere inside your home.

When working out how to build alcove shelves, build your timber frame first.

Start by attaching the two small pieces to either side of the back piece. You can use nails or screws for this.
Then attach the front piece to the front of the two side pieces. You now have your frame.

Take the frame you’ve just built and attach it to the wall, screwing the back piece of wood into the back of your alcove first. Make sure to follow the marks you made earlier so it’s in the right position. Use a cordless drill and appropriate fixings for your wall type.
Next, screw the side pieces into the side of your alcove.

Now you can screw your shelves onto your frame. If you find it tricky to screw straight down vertically, screwing in slightly diagonally works just fine. Once you're done, repeat the process for your other shelves.

To get everything finished up beautifully, cover your screw holes with a good quality filler.
If you want to hide the frame, install a fascia panel to the front of the shelf to cover it up.
After that, you can add any finishing touches to bring your shelves in line with the rest of your décor, such as adding a coat of durable paint or some varnish to give it a natural sheen.

Building your own DIY alcove shelves is a straightforward way to transform an empty space into something both beautiful and practical. By taking accurate measurements, choosing the right timber or MDF, and securely constructing a hidden frame, you can easily create a stylish storage solution.

We know that taking on a new home improvement project can sometimes feel a bit daunting, but if you take your time and follow our steps, and you'll soon have a stunning alcove shelving unit that perfectly fits your home's unique style. Now your shelves are installed, you’re ready to fill them with books, flowers, and trinkets. Take a look at our guide on how to style a shelf for some more inspiration.

FAQs

The most secure way to support shelves in an alcove is by building a hidden timber frame. Secure a batten to the back wall, attach side supports into the alcove walls, and add a front piece. Your shelf then sits securely and neatly on top of this frame.

MDF is an excellent and cost-effective choice for the shelf top, especially if you plan to paint it. For the supporting frame, standard timber is sturdy and reliable. If you want a natural wood finish, ensure you match any existing timber in the room.

Older houses often have uneven walls. Use a spirit level to ensure your frame is perfectly horizontal, rather than simply following the line of the wall. You can use filler to hide any small gaps between your straight shelf and the uneven wall before painting.