Let me tell you a secret these DIY plant shelves don’t have to be used to display plants. They are a handy set of mini tiered wood slice shelves that can be used to display all sorts of things like trophies or fun ornaments.
However, these natural wood shelves with bark just look fabulous with plants on them. It’s a great match the live edge of the bark with a live plant.
Whatever you decide to put on these DIY plant shelves they are handy storage/display solutions for small spaces.
DIY Three tier natural wood shelves
The wood slice shelves are tall and skinny. They are great for small alcoves or narrow wall spaces.
I live in an old Victorian house, I have lots of narrow strips of the wall where these vertical tiered shelves will fit perfectly. These dead skinny wall spaces can now become a feature, with the DIY plant shelves.
I actually got the idea for these shelves after I scored a big stash of large wood slices.
A few months ago I was invited to the Ryobi Tools UK conference as a member of the press. It was a great event where I got to try out of loads of Ryobi tools. At the end of the day, there was a huge pile of wood slices from everyone having ago with the chainsaw.
Not wanting to see anything go to waste I managed to walk away with a bag full of these wood slices.
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What You Need To Make DIY Plant Shelves
- An old strip of wood (approx 12 cm x 90 cm) – I used a piece of old pine floorboard. I piece of pallet wood would work just as well.
- Three large wood slices (approx 13 – 15 cm in diameter) – If you have a chainsaw you can cut your own, otherwise they tend to be available to buy online or in craft stores.
- Small angle brackets (corner braces)
- Copper spray paint
- Saw and an electrical sander
- Clear wood wax.
How To Make DIY Plant Shelves
1. The first thing I did was saw about a third off each wood slice. I wanted a flat edge one side and round bark edge the other, for these natural wood shelves.
2. Next, sand the flat surfaces of the wood slices. Make sure to protect the bark. That will ensure that you’ll get a live wood edge shelf.
Also, sand the floorboard and smooth off the edges with an electrical sander.
3. Next, to give the sanded wood a lovely finish rub on some clear wood wax. This will also protect the wood a bit from water spills on your DIY plant shelves.
4. Next, this step is optional. I could only find silver angle brackets. I spray painted mine copper for a better look with the natural wood shelves.
5. Then, use the painted brackets to attach the shelves to the wooden floorboard. Space them out evenly. Leave a bit of exposed wood at both the bottom and the top of the DIY plant shelves.
I used 2 angle brackets to hold up each wood slice shelf.
6. Finally, all that is left to do is to hang these DIY plant shelves and add plants. To hang the shelf unit simply drill a hole into the top and bottom of the floorboard base. Then screw the board into the wall.
I know I’ve said these are DIY plant shelves as I feel that the plants match the natural wood edge of the shelf. However, you can use the shelves for whatever you want. I think they would make a great trophy stand too in an office or den.
They are great for tall thin spaces where you wouldn’t normally have room for any shelving.
DIY Planter Shelves From Wood Slices
This is a handy shelf unit for tall narrow spaces. The natural wood edges of the shelves look cool with plants on them.
Materials
- Large wood slices
- Plank of wood such as a piece of old floorboard
- Angle brackets
- Screws
- Wood wax
Tools
- Electrical sander
- saw
- screw driver
Instructions
- Saw the wood slices about 1/3 across
- Sand and wax all the wood
- Use angle brackets to attach the wood slices to the plank
- Hang using screws, add plants
I still have a ton of wood slices left so there will be some more wood slice upcycles to come. I’m open to any suggestions. In the meantime, you might want to check out some of my other wood slice crafts.
These plant shelves featured in the A to Z of clever upcycling ideas and resources.
- DIY Picture frame stand
- Marimekko Christmas Wall Art With Wood Slices
- Frida Kahlo Christmas Ornament
- Christmas Pudding Wood Slice Ornament
If you are looking for some fun and unique DIY planter ideas for your natural wood shelves, check out these posts.
- Velvet Upcycled Planters
- 10 Minute Moroccan Planters
- The Best Tin Can Planters Ideas
- Recycled Jean Planter
For more DIY shelf ideas visit DIYideacenter.com
Linda
I really liked this for my house plants but I’m curious if you had a suggestion since I’m unable/not allowed to screw into the wall for drilling supports but I want a plant stand like this. TIA for sharing your thoughts.?
Claire Armstrong
Hi Linda, the only thing I can suggest is that you perhaps turn it into a free-standing plantstand by attaching it to a wooden base.
Jennifer
Why does your page keeps flipping to a blank page that has “googleleads.g.doubleclick”? It is terribly annoying, and I end up just leaving the project unread. I am planning on deleting this app, page and links because of this. Even while writing this comment, the page flipped 9X!
Claire Armstrong
I’m really sorry I don’t know why it is doing that. Everything works well on my end. Perhaps deleting the app you are using and reinstalling it may fix the problem.
Dee | Grammy's Grid
Thanks for linking up at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 41! Shared ♥
Claire Armstrong
Thank you.
Kim @Serving Up Southern
Hi Claire!
I’m dropping back by to let you know that you are one of this week’s features at Homestyle Gathering. Thanks so very much for sharing at HG! I love seeing you at the party!
>>> Kim
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, that’s awesome I look forward to seeing it.
Erlene
Loving this idea! I always need ideas to use spare wood 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, I have a big bag of wood slices to get through.
Julie Briones
So smart and sharp looking, Claire! Great tutorial, too!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they were pretty straightforward to make.
Cecilia
I really love the wood slices as shelves. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Cecilia
Anita Holland
I love this project, I got a chainsaw for Christmas and I was given a felled tree. So thanks for the inspiration. Pinned
Claire Armstrong
Lucky you getting a chainsaw. Have fun with it.
Kim @Serving Up Southern
Hi Claire!
This is such a great project! I love the live edge that you get from using the wood slices. So creative! Thanks for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
>>> Kim
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. Yes I love the live edge look, great for plants.
Kippi
I love this project. I am going to make one of these too. Pinning!
Have a great week,
Kippi
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, it is very simple to make.
Katy
Such a great project! Thanks for sharing at Handmade & Otherwise! Pinned!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much ?
Michelle Leslie
Soooooooo cool Claire. We have a tiny holiday home with round walls and it’s not easy finding shelves that fit snuggly against that roundness. This is a perfect solution.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Michelle. My mum also has a rondavel in her garden in Portugal. We use it as a summer house.
Julie
Very cool shelves. You are right the wood looks perfect with plants.
What a great score to get a big bag full of wood slices too 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes I was very happy with the wood slices.
Mother of 3
Those look so nice and so easy to make too. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the Summer Fun party. Pinned.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are easy.
Marie
Claire, you always come up with the most clever ideas. I love this rustic wood slice shelving idea! It works with boho, farmhouse, rustic, and industrial style rooms. Pinned 🙂
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Marie. I agree it works well with lots of interior decor styles.