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You are here: Home / Crafts / How To Make Diy Plant Shelves Using Wood Slices

How To Make Diy Plant Shelves Using Wood Slices

3rd July 2019 by Claire Armstrong 30 Comments

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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.

Pile of large 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.
The wood that you need for DIY plant shelves

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.
cut wood slices

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.

Sanding wood

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.

waxing wood
sanded and waxed wood slice shelves for live edge 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.

spray painting brackets

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.

measuring for natural wood shelf placement

I used 2 angle brackets to hold up each wood slice shelf.

screwing in live edge shelves
Screwing in second shelf for DIY planter shelves

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.

DIY plant shelves with a natural wood edge
Close up pot natural wood shelf DIY planter shelves

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.

Finished 3 tier DIY planter shelves

They are great for tall thin spaces where you wouldn’t normally have room for any shelving.

DIY planter shelves from natural wood slices
Yield: 3 tier planter shelf unit

DIY Planter Shelves From Wood Slices

Finished 3 tier DIY planter shelves

This is a handy shelf unit for tall narrow spaces. The natural wood edges of the shelves look cool with plants on them.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Estimated Cost $5

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

  1. Saw the wood slices about 1/3 across
  2. Sand and wax all the wood
  3. Use angle brackets to attach the wood slices to the plank
  4. Hang using screws, add plants
© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: Upcycle / Category: DIY Upcycling

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

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY Upcycling Tagged With: display, planters, shelf, shelves, wood slice, wood slices

Previous Post: « How To Make Repurposed Planters For Succulents
Next Post: How To Make A Denim Photo Frame Out Of Old Jeans »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda

    8th May 2020 at 3:13 pm

    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.?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th May 2020 at 4:49 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Jennifer

    8th May 2020 at 12:27 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th May 2020 at 4:48 pm

      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.

      Reply
  3. Dee | Grammy's Grid

    18th July 2019 at 3:34 pm

    Thanks for linking up at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 41! Shared ♥

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th July 2019 at 4:31 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply
  4. Kim @Serving Up Southern

    16th July 2019 at 1:37 pm

    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

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th July 2019 at 5:18 pm

      Thank you, that’s awesome I look forward to seeing it.

      Reply
  5. Erlene

    15th July 2019 at 8:58 am

    Loving this idea! I always need ideas to use spare wood 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th July 2019 at 6:43 pm

      Thank you, I have a big bag of wood slices to get through.

      Reply
  6. Julie Briones

    12th July 2019 at 9:20 pm

    So smart and sharp looking, Claire! Great tutorial, too!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th July 2019 at 6:14 am

      Thank you, they were pretty straightforward to make.

      Reply
  7. Cecilia

    12th July 2019 at 8:29 pm

    I really love the wood slices as shelves. Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th July 2019 at 9:02 pm

      Thank you so much Cecilia

      Reply
  8. Anita Holland

    12th July 2019 at 7:37 am

    I love this project, I got a chainsaw for Christmas and I was given a felled tree. So thanks for the inspiration. Pinned

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th July 2019 at 9:03 pm

      Lucky you getting a chainsaw. Have fun with it.

      Reply
  9. Kim @Serving Up Southern

    12th July 2019 at 2:34 am

    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

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th July 2019 at 6:40 am

      Thank you. Yes I love the live edge look, great for plants.

      Reply
  10. Kippi

    11th July 2019 at 1:19 pm

    I love this project. I am going to make one of these too. Pinning!
    Have a great week,
    Kippi

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th July 2019 at 6:39 am

      Thank you, it is very simple to make.

      Reply
  11. Katy

    10th July 2019 at 7:46 pm

    Such a great project! Thanks for sharing at Handmade & Otherwise! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      11th July 2019 at 5:53 am

      Thank you so much ?

      Reply
  12. Michelle Leslie

    8th July 2019 at 12:47 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th July 2019 at 10:08 am

      Thank you, Michelle. My mum also has a rondavel in her garden in Portugal. We use it as a summer house.

      Reply
  13. Julie

    7th July 2019 at 6:25 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th July 2019 at 10:09 am

      Thank you, yes I was very happy with the wood slices.

      Reply
  14. Mother of 3

    6th July 2019 at 12:13 am

    Those look so nice and so easy to make too. Thanks so much for sharing with us at the Summer Fun party. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      6th July 2019 at 6:00 am

      Thank you, they are easy.

      Reply
  15. Marie

    4th July 2019 at 5:33 pm

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      5th July 2019 at 6:27 am

      Thank you, Marie. I agree it works well with lots of interior decor styles.

      Reply

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