How to Make Fixer Upper Style Farmhouse Shelves

Learn how to make easy DIY shelves with brackets for a Fixer Upper farmhouse style look. You’ll love how it looks ~ and it’s easy on the budget!

Inspirational DIY Wall Shelf Ideas from Joanna Gaines

I was hooked on the Fixer Upper tv show and Joanna Gaines’s style from the first episode.

It was awe-inspiring to watch the transformation of homes in just an hour (ha ha!). Each show had great scenes of home choices and demolition, but my favorite part was the last 15 minutes.

I watched with intensity as Joanna styled the homes with beautiful touches. I noticed she liked to mix warm wood tones with blacks, metals, greenery, and vintage touches. She also often used her signature Fixer Upper style farmhouse shelves.

(Styling done by Joanna Gaines -Photo Source)

When we moved into our townhouse 2 years ago, I wanted to figure out how to add some of Joanna’s modern farmhouse style into our builder basic space.

It’s been a challenge to figure out how to do that, but little by little it’s coming together. The shiplap wall and custom Billy bookcases set the tone for our main living space

Then, a gallery wall above our new couch added to it.

And, now, I’m happy to report, the connecting Dining Room has just had a feature installed that makes my Joanna Gaines’ loving heart so happy ~ Fixer Upper style farmhouse shelves filled with farmhouse goodies!!

How to Make Fixer Upper Style Farmhouse Shelves

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Harbour Breeze Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Supplies Needed for wood shelves with brackets:

• Black metal L-brackets to accomodate a 7 inch board (I found mine half price at Hobby Lobby, but a similar bracket is here)
• 1 x 4 boards cut to length (Your local building supply may be able to cut them for you.)
• level
• 1 1/2 inch wood screws
• 3/4 inch wood screws
• screwdriver or drill with screwdriver bits
• measuring tape
• pencil
• wood stain
• stud finder

Prep the shelf boards

Rather than use one wide board for our shelves, we chose to use 2 boards per shelf with a small “crack” between the two.

We purchased 4 – 1×4 boards at our local building supply store and cut them to the same length as the Dining Room buffet.

Then, I wiped on Minwax stain in Early American color with a rag and let them dry completely.

Find wall studs using a stud finder

Since shelves will be holding items with weight, they need to be hung securely to the wall. One way to do that is to attach the screws to the wood studs in the wall. If studs can’t be located where you would like your shelf brackets to hang, you will need to use drywall plugs like these to hold the weight of the shelves.

Measure the height you’d like your shelf to sit and hang the first bracket.

Once the top screw is attached to the first bracket, use a level to make sure the bracket is hanging straight up and down.

Mark the placement of the corresponding bracket.

In order to ensure the shelf is completely straight, lay a board on the top of the brackets and place a level on the top. Adjust the 2nd bracket (before you screw it to the wall) until the level bubble is directly in the middle. Then attach the second bracket.

Lay boards on the brackets, and attach from the underside with 3/4 inch wood screws.

Install the second set of brackets repeating the same process as the first.

Style the shelves with your favorite farmhouse finds!

Once the shelves are all secured well, it’s time for the fun part ~ styling them!

On our recent holiday trip down to Washington, I happened upon a (miraculous?) half price sale at Hobby Lobby.

I was overwhelmed with options of items that I loved ~ metal, wood and greenery ~ all for half price!

After plotting and planning and thinking over every purchase (and 2 trips to the Hobby Lobby later…), I finally ended up with items that I love all tucked together on their new farmhouse shelves.

I’ve been dreaming of shelves over the buffet for SO long, and it’s fun to finally have them finished.

And, thanks to Hobby Lobby’s half price sale, the shelves & brackets only cost $28!

The pretty things sitting on them cost more…;)

So, here’s my question: For those of you who also love the Fixer Upper style of Joanna Gaines, and live near a Hobby Lobby ~ how do YOU choose between so many beautiful options of home decor?

This budget-loving thrifty gal would love to know your tips!;)

Watch More DIY Shelves

Click play blow to see how we’ve used DIY wall shelves throughout our home!

Click here for all the DIY Wall Shelves in our house!