Floating Shelf for Spices Plant Pots : 9 Steps

When we bought our first apartment, my wife wanted to have a place for spices plant pots at the balcony.

Usually everybody buy plastic plant pots which hangs on the balcony railing...

I decided to have something different, and build a shelf.

I didn't want to use shelf supports, but to have a floating shelf.

Due to the weight of the plant pots, I decided to make a graded design and not straight, that will help the shelf to be able to carry the plant pots. The shelf "leans on itself" due to its graded shape.

In addtion, it gives the shelf a special look.

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Step 1: Tools & Materials

Materials:

Wood boards, 28 mm width, 20cm deep.
Wood filler.
Paint.
Clear protective topcoat.
Wood glue.
Screws.
1 meter 10mm thick steel bar / pole (or special backets for floating shelf.)

General List of tools I'm using - https://www.itzikdiy.com/tools-list?m=1

Tools in this Instructable:

Miter saw.
Sanding paper.
Drill / Screwdriver.
Measuring tape.
Angle grinder for steel bar cuts.

Step 2: Design & Build

I could make 90 angle cuts, which would be easier, but then the shelf would look like stairs.

I decided to cut the wood in angles that will give 45 angles graded connections, that will look nicer.

Unfortunatelly I dont have photos of the cutting and building process.

I used the miter saw for these cuts. I cut each board in 22.5 angles in the side that will bring the 45 angles with the next connected board. You can see the measurements of each board in the photo. (in centimeters).

I connected each board to the other, with wood glue and screws. Then covered with wood filler.

Step 3: Sanding & Painting

After finishing the build, I sanded the surface and specially the angular connections.

I painter the shelf with semi transpatent white color, in order to see the wood texture.

Finally, I painted with a clear protective topcoat.

Step 4: Adding the Support Poles (Steel Bars)

In order to connect the shelf to the wall, I could use special brackets for these connections.

But I had 1 meter 10 mm thick steel bar in hand, and I decided to use it.

I cut about 20 cm pieces from the bar, using the angle grinder.

I drilled 10mm, 10cm deep holes, in the back of the shelf, in 4 places and inserted the bar pieces.

Due to the 28mm thickness of the wood, it was possible to drill such thick holes, but these should be done carefully in order to make it straight.

Finally, I bent eack bar a bit up, so it would 'sit' better in the wall holes later.

Step 5: Making Holes for the Poles

I drilled 10mm holes in the bricks at the balcony.

I mached the holes position to be in the bricks connections as much as possible, and less in the bricks themselves.

Step 6: Placing the Shelf

I pushed the shelf bars into the wall holes.

The shelf was very strong, and unless you actually pul it back, it wouldn't move.

Step 7: A Later Addition - for Safety

But, later, my kids grew up...

I was afraid that they will climb on the garden furnitures on the balcony, and pull the shelf, so I added one angle connection on the top, from the wood to the wall.

This connection is hidden by the middle plant pot.