DIY Wall Shelves for Small Props: Build Your Perfect Display in Under 2 Hours

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DIY Wall Shelves for Small Props: Build Your Perfect Display in Under 2 Hours

DIY wall shelves for small props saved my sanity when my collection of tiny treasures started taking over every flat surface in my apartment.

I had Funko Pops on the windowsill, LEGO builds on the kitchen counter, and succulents crowding my desk.

My partner kept knocking things over, and I was one broken collectible away from a meltdown.

So I grabbed some wood, a drill, and spent one Saturday afternoon solving the problem for good.

Quick Project Overview

Aspect	Details
Time Required	1-2 hours total (including setup)
Cost Per Shelf	$20-50 depending on materials
DIY Skill Level	Beginner to intermediate
Best For	Small props, Lego sets, plants, picture frames, ornaments

What You Actually Need (No Hardware Store Treasure Hunt Required)

Look, I’ve walked into hardware stores before and immediately felt like I needed a translator.

Not this time.

For DIY wall shelves for small props, here’s exactly what you need:

The Basic Shopping List

1″ x 6″ x 20″ wood board (or whatever length fits your wall—I grabbed reclaimed wood from my neighbor’s garage for free)
2 corner brackets (3″ size works perfectly—go bigger if you’re paranoid like me)
4 wood screws (1″ length does the job)
4 drywall anchors and screws (these little guys are lifesavers if you’re not hitting studs)
A stud finder (magnetic ones are cheap and actually work)

Make It Pretty (Optional But Worth It)

Wood stain or paint in your favorite color
Spray paint for hardware (nothing says “I tried” like coordinated brackets)
Sandpaper (120-grit is your friend)

I learned the hard way that skipping the finish makes your shelf look like you pulled it from a construction dumpster.

Don’t be past-me.

How I Built My First Shelf (And How You Can Too)

Step 1: Make That Wood Not Feel Like Splinters Waiting to Happen

Sand your board smooth.

I spent 10 minutes on this step while watching Netflix, running sandpaper along the edges and surface until it felt like butter.

Then apply your stain or paint.

I went with a dark walnut stain because it hides my mistakes beautifully.

Let it dry completely—I know you’re impatient, but trust me on this.

Step 2: Make Your Hardware Not Look Cheap

Here’s where you separate the amateurs from the pros.

Grab that spray paint and coat your brackets and screw heads.

I used matte black, and suddenly my $3 brackets looked like they cost $30.

Two light coats beat one heavy coat every single time.

Step 3: Attach the Brackets (This Is Where Math Happens)

Flip your shelf over.

Measure where your brackets should go—I placed mine about 2 inches from each end.

Mark the spots with a pencil.

Pre-drill tiny holes (this prevents splitting—learned that lesson the hard way).

Screw the brackets onto the underside of your shelf using those 1″ wood screws.

Pro tip: Make sure both brackets are the same distance from the edges unless you enjoy crooked shelves that haunt your dreams.

Step 4: The Wall Part (Don’t Panic)

This is where people get nervous.

I get it.

You’re about to put holes in your wall.

Here’s how to do it without calling your landlord in tears:

Find your studs first (if possible):

Run your stud finder along the wall
Mark where the studs are with painter’s tape
If your shelf location lines up with a stud, you just won the lottery—drill straight into that bad boy

No studs? No problem:

Hold your shelf assembly against the wall where you want it
Use a level (this matters more than you think)
Mark where the bracket holes hit the wall
Install your drywall anchors at those marks (twist them in like screws)
Screw the shelf assembly into the anchors

I mounted four shelves last month using only drywall anchors, and they’re holding strong with LEGO sets, plants, and my embarrassing collection of anime figures.