Narrow Wall Shelf | DIY Corbels

I have a really great project today. Can you believe I got three projects out of one vintage desk? Today’s project is a narrow wall shelf made from part of a desk top.

Repurposed Desk Top into Narrow Wall Shelf

Here is the original desk I picked up at Vendors’ Village.

This is the first project I made out of the desk using the two drawer sections side by side to make a highboy chest or dressing table.

Cut Desk Top on Table Saw

I got two projects out of the desk top by ripping it on my table saw.

Using the desk top “as is” was way too deep for this singer sewing machine table top that I sold at Glendale 2016. But ripping off the curvy part made a perfect “not so deep” top. It’s  perfect for a hallway, entryway or as a sofa table.

So, now I’m going to tell you how I made this narrow wall shelf by making my own brackets!

Can I make my own shelf brackets?

*this post contains affiliate links for your convenience*

I still have quite a few of the leftover pieces (laying on the driveway) from when Rodney cut the pergola for my fabulous diy picket fence. I’ve already used 2 of the scrap pieces as brackets on this easy gray window shelf.  But for this project, I wanted to take it up a notch. 

Router Shelf Boards

Scrap 1×4’s were routed on the router table to give them some character.

In this picture, I was trying to figure out how I wanted the back boards to fit the scrap bracket before I worked too hard on sanding them

Attach DIY shelf brackets to one another for sanding

I used my Ryobi Airstrike to fasten the two pieces together so I could sand them “as one”.

Position DIY bracket on narrow shelf

You can see they are sanded and trimmed up in this picture as I figure out where the brackets would actually fit on the narrow wall shelf that use to be a desk top.

Using a brad nailer to CLAMP wood

I used the brad nailer for a temporary hold to attach the top of the bracket board to the shelf, and the back bracket board to the top one.

Don’t forget the Gorilla Wood Glue

Not shown, but I used my favorite Gorilla Wood Glue on all of these pieces for extra security.

 Secure narrow shelf with wood screw

A wood screw was used to attach the narrow wall shelf from the top into the top of the diy shelf bracket.

Drive Screw through back of bracket

One last screw through the back board into the bracket. You can see where I did the brad nails to give that temporary hold until I got it all together. I love using my Ryobi Airstrike this way. Of course if I had an extra pair of hands, this wouldn’t be necessary.

I took it for a test drive on the fence. (just resting on nails at this point)

Prep for paint

While I was doing a second coat on another project with my Homeright Finish Max, I did a couple of light coats of Polished Pearl DIY chalky paint primer.

Time for some black wax from Heirloom Traditions.  I like to use a chunk of a carwash sponge for quick and easy application.

Narrow Wall Shelf with DIY Shelf Brackets

I love how “chippy” it looks, the black wax really ages it perfectly!

If you like the idea of making your own corbels, won’t you PIN IT?  Thanks!

If you prefer to buy corbels, check out my Farmhouse Shelves

gail