DIY Arch Shelf

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How to make a gorgeous custom arch shelf with minimal tools. It’s perfect for an entry way drop zone, a bathroom towel holder, a hat shelf, or even a plant shelf. I have mine in the kitchen to hold charcuterie boards and some knick knacks. Follow me on Instagram for the full videos.

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Step 1. Gather materials and tools.

Let’s make this shelf!

Tools needed:

Materials:

• 3/4 inch maple plywood

• 1x3 common board

• 1” dowel

• 1.5” screws

• edge banding

• D rings

• wood glue

• nails

Tools needed:

• jigsaw or router

• sand paper

• iron

• Drill

• pencil

• string

• push pin

• nail gun or hammer and nails

Step 2. Draw your arch

Measurements for this shelf are

34” tall

22 inches wide

Draw 2 straight likes spaced 22” apart and 23” long.

Find the center of your shelf. It will be 11” in. Place your push pin in the top center between your 2 straight lines.

measure a piece of string to 11” and attach to pencil and push pin. Pull string taut and connect your lines making an arch.

 Step 3. Cut

Using a jigsaw or router, cut your shelf.

Step 4. Sand

Lightly sand to remove any jagged edges.

Step 5. Holes for pegs

Using a 1” spade bit, drill holes about 1/2 in into the plywood.

Step 6. Cut and attach pegs.

Cut your dowel rod into six 4” pegs. Sand the ends smooth. Attach pegs using wood glue and 1.5” screws 4 of the pegs will be along the bottom and 2 will go up top as pictured.

Step 7. Cut and attach shelves

Cut your 1x3 into 2 shelves and sand. The longest will be 22” and your small one will be 11”.

Attach using wood glue and a nail gun or hammer and nails. (My phone died and I wasn’t able to film this part, sorry!)

Step 8. Finish edges Use iron on edge banding to finish the edges. Once in place, trim excess with a blade.

Step 9. Finish

I left mine natural but you could finish with stain, paint or polyurethane.

Step 10. Hang

I used 4 d rings and hung on screws. This will be a relatively heavy piece so make sure to find a stud or use anchors. That’s it! Enjoy your new modern arch shelf.