Trinkets, showpieces, plants, and frames may be sitting in a trunk without much of a display method. DIY hanging shelves create display space from unfinished wood, adding an earthy effect that lifts the room’s appearance.
DIY hanging shelves are a low-cost, low-time way to add wall decor. They can work as design elements or transitional pieces, and they can accent hallways too.
Ideas for Making Hanging Shelves
DIY hanging shelves are easy to make and keep the design minimal.
Hanging Shelves in a Classic DIY Style
Hunkerhome shares this classic DIY hanging shelf idea.
The wooden plank can be square, triangular, or rectangular, and rope supports it from above. Choose a rope color that matches the plank or contrasts with it, then customize the colors of both pieces as needed.
Double-Storey Hanging Shelves
Keairras.kreations shares this double-storey hanging shelf design.
Two wooden planks create both display space and storage space, while the rope can complement their color. The planks can use one shade or two, and adding a lower shelf gives you room to display favorite pieces. A tutorial video shows how to make it.
Hanging Shelves with a U-Shaped Form
From farmhouseinspirediyer, this U-shaped hanging shelf uses its open form to hold items on the wall.
A beaded rope connects three same-size planks into an open square with one open side, and a hook hangs from the shelf. It can hold a souvenir, photo frame, books, vase, and plant. Replacing the base plank with a longer rectangle increases the storage space.
Hanging Shelves for Window Plants
Thebryanshome shows hanging shelves placed against a window for plants.
Real indoor plants can receive sufficient sunlight when these shelves are set against a window, and they help keep the room fresh. A full video covers the tutorial.
Multilevel Hanging Shelves
Stephchapperss shares this multilevel hanging shelf arrangement made from wooden planks.
With three wooden planks arranged at different levels, the first can serve as a bookshelf, the second can hold plants, and the third can be used for frames. This setup displays more items, increases storage space, and supports different uses.
Shelves set the scene for 50 shelf decor ideas in a stylish home.
Dark Walnut Twin Hanging Shelves
These twin hanging shelves are made from dark walnut and share the same hanging design, as shown by workhardplanthard.
The two dark walnut shelves can be made in varying sizes, with one size for each shelf, and they hang together in the same arrangement. Their dark finish contrasts with light-colored walls.
White Two-Tier Hanging Shelves
This white two-tier hanging shelf design is from springmeadow.co.
Hang the shelves with as many layers as you need, using a painted wood shelf plank in any color, including white or a neutral shade. The setup is similar to a double-storey idea, and the shelves can hold decorative items.
Macrame Hanging Shelves
This macrame hanging shelf example is from knots.and.hilo.
Macrame is a textile technique based on knotting, rather than knitting or weaving. A textile macrame wall hanging is layered behind the shelves and hung on the wall, while the shelf rope connects to the wall hanging. The shelves have a bohemian, crafty style.
Hanging Shelf Decoration
Hanging shelf contents can be arranged as decoration ideas for the shelves. The focus is on the items placed on the hanging shelves.
Natural Hanging Shelf Decoration
This natural hanging shelf decoration is from downlenoxroad.
Fake plants are available online as an alternative to real plants. Meanwhile, a few tiny indoor plants, including bamboo, air plants, and foliage plants, are easy to maintain; set on hanging shelves, they can give any space a naturally brighter feel.
Glass Bottles as Vases
This glass bottle vase decoration is from knottinganddrifting.
Clean old milk bottles, or use juice bottles instead, and place greenery or flowers inside them. The filled bottles can then be placed in DIY hanging shelves.
Bathroom Hanging Shelves
This bathroom hanging shelf example is from downlenoxroad.
Install the shelves in a bathroom to create display space and extra storage. A plant, soap container, fragrance diffuser, and dry towel can all be placed on them, so the shelves help with storage as well.
DIY Hanging Kitchen Wall Shelves
This example is from idoitmyself.be.
Hanging shelves work as wall decoration while keeping daily ingredients accessible. Place plastic and glass jars in shelf-mounted ingredient containers, then customize the shelves to suit your preferences. Plants and frames can also be placed on the shelves if you want.
Multipurpose Hanging Shelves for the Kitchen
The example is credited to middleandmain.
The shelves hang from the ceiling, and you can decide how many levels to use. They support both decor and accessibility in the kitchen, with space for packages, cups and mugs, plants, and ingredients. Plants also add freshness to the kitchen.
DIY Hanging Bookshelves
This example is from lballardlifeandstyle.
Use the hanging shelves as a bookshelf and place some or all of your favorite novels on them. Mixing in a plant, soft toy, vases, or trinkets keeps the shelves from looking like a library and reduces the monotony of a bookshelf.
Three-Level Sectioned Hanging Bookshelves
This example comes from coloringthemap.
Section the three-level shelves to reduce congestion and monotony while leaving room to display other items. Place favorite novels on the book shelves, use the top two shelves for frames and showpieces, and keep books on a dedicated shelf.
Hanging Reading Corner Bookshelves
This example is from hesti.novitadewi.
Books and ferns can fill the hanging shelves, with either real or artificial ferns helping shape an earthy, natural reading corner in the staircase space. Optional scented candles in the reading area can provide a soothing fragrance.
Color-Themed Hanging Shelves
This example is from sophiewarran.
The shelf color can match the room theme or contrast with it, depending on the look you choose. Paint the shelves your chosen color, then place decorative pieces in the same shade on the shelves.
Motivational Hanging Shelf Decor
This hanging shelf decoration comes from make_home_yours.
A showpiece can take a place on the hanging shelf, with a framed message such as “Life is Good” or “Positive vibes only.” Add a plant beside the frame for a touch of freshness. Together, the shelf and its optimistic message provide a morning reminder.
Window Shelves for Plants
This window shelf decoration from tdotjungle is made for displaying plants.
Different-sized plant pots can sit on DIY hanging shelves near the window. Paint or otherwise design the pots to customize them, then use the shelves for indoor plants.
Earthy Farmhouse Hanging Shelves
Jute brings an earthy material detail to this farmhouse arrangement, which uses hanging shelves for decoration.
Use the shelves to display books, a vase, and a jute bucket. DIY hanging shelves can hold stacked plants for a simple, practical arrangement.
White Hanging Shelf Decor
This white hanging shelf decoration is from iza.perez_coloresdemialma.
Small storage boxes in varied colors can be placed on the white shelves for storage, alongside white decor pieces. Add mud pots in random positions, and use the white shelves and decor against light-colored walls for a matching look or against dark walls for contrast.
Symmetrical Minimal Hanging Shelves
In this symmetrical, minimal arrangement from rajaladecor, the hanging shelves use an orderly layout with paired items.
Each shelf holds one plant and one complementary item, such as a frame, watch, or lamp, with the paired arrangement repeated across the shelves. Plants are paired with an equal number of complementary items, creating an organized symmetrical setup.
With just a few materials, DIY hanging shelves offer plenty of room for customization. They can support both storage and display, depending on what you place on them.
