Making Space

I don't know about you, but this time of year just doesn't make me want to head outdoors for my projects. I tend to be looking a bit more inside for something to keep me busy. For most of us it seems that anything we can do to make things more organized is a good idea. At least in my home, this means finding a place for my stuff.

One project that I have found is to install a free standing shelf. You can consider buying a complete bookshelf, but you may not have the space for that. Instead, a free-standing, free-hanging shelf may be just the ticket.

I have found some excellent pre-made shelves at Wal-Mart and Home Depot. What I am talking about is a flat board that has probably been stained, finished, and molded along the edge. In addition to this board there will normally be some support pieces that hold the board up and are attached to the wall.

The project itself is pretty easy. If you buy the pre-formed kits, they come with the hardware, the wood, and the supports already drilled. In addition to this, you are going to need a drill, screwdriver, level, tape measure, and stud-finder.

Before you buy your kit, or make your shelf, you are going to need to know what size you need. Put a lot of fore thought into this part of the project. One consideration would be that instead of one long shelf, you could get two smaller shelves and then stagger them in height.

Once you know what size shelf or shelves that you need, go pick them up. They usually come in white and some variations of brown wood stain. Bring them home and lay them out on the floor in front of the wall on which you are going to install them. Make sure you have everything that you need.

Use your stud finder to find and mark the studs for each shelf. Find out what size screws they included in the kit, and find a drill bit somewhat smaller than the size of the screw. This is so you don't split any wood inside your wall. Using the board itself, place it up at the spot in which you want the shelf. Mark a spot for the first support and mark the top of that support. You can set a nail at that spot to support one end of the board, and then using your level on top of the board, mark the spot for the next support.

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