{TUTORIAL) Wood Picket Shelf

Remember those picket scraps that were leftover from making the wood shutters?  If you missed that post, it's HERE. I used them to make a little shelf.  

Supplies used to build the shelf (click on supply item for sources and/or additional info):

~~5 dog-eared ends of picket boards
~~10" 2x4
~~Drawer knob
~~Cordless brad nailer

Additional supplies used after assembling the shelf (click on supply item for sources and/or additional info):

~~Fine sanding sponge
~~1" disposable paint brush
~~Behr Espresso Beans paint
~~Two D-ring hangers

To begin, I lightly sanded any super rough areas and attached two of the picket ends to the short ends of the 2x4 with the brad nailer.  If you don't have a brad nailer, small nails or screws will work just as well.

Then, attached the three front pickets.

Next, was to drill a hole in the center picket for the decorative drawer pull (didn't get a pic of that step).  Attached the drawer pull temporarily to be sure it was where I hoped it would be.  LOL   

If you've not yet checked out the selection of knobs and pulls at Hobby Lobby, you'll be pleasantly surprised - and, when they run their half off sales, the deals are even better.

Searched my paint/stain stash and tested the underside with Dark Walnut stain, but didn't like the look, so used Behr Espresso Beans paint instead.  After letting it dry - which didn't take long thanks to our 100+ temp days here in Texas - I installed two D-ring hangers centered on the back of the 2x4.  Reattached the drawer pull.

Just a small wall shelf that made good use of leftover pieces of picket boards.

 

An advantage to using picket fencing boards is that they're inexpensive - if you don't like your final product, you haven't made a major investment.  And if you've recently completed a fencing project, you likely have leftover pieces to reuse.

Have you used cedar picket boards for anything other than fencing?  Did you find them easy to work with?

Shared with:
 Between Naps on the Porch
Cozy Little House 
The Crafted Sparrow 
Thoughts from Alice 
The Interior Frugalista 
Dwelling in Happiness 
Oh My Heartsie Girl 
The Shabby Nest