How to Build a Floating TV Shelf

Hello all! I have a fantastic DIY project today that will help you with storage, organization, and will free up floor space.

Recently my son moved into his first college apartment and as you would expect in a first apartment, space is at a premium. My son wanted to mount his TV on the wall and also have storage for games and his components. To solve both issues I came up with a floating TV shelf stand that would maximize his storage but also be perfect in small rooms (depending if he wanted it in the bedroom, living room, family room, or other spot.)

There are many tv stand designs we could have bought, but he wanted a floating look and something that went with his modern apartment vibe. Together we talked about several design options, but ultimately decided to build this simple DIY project together.

After building and finishing the floating shelf in my workshop, we transported it to his college town for installation. It was pretty straightforward, but we had to finish the build by drilling holes for cable management once we got to his apartment (and could see the size of the plugs.) Once it was hung, he fished the wires for the TV and components through the holes we made and plugged it into the wall. Then we filled the shelf with games and gaming components.

I’m so excited to share these simple DIY plans to build a floating TV Shelf stand. The plans I have will instruct you to build a floating shelf 48 inches wide, 5 inches tall, by 12 inches deep.  

Measure your TV base before beginning. Feel free to enlarge the width of your floating tv stand. It’s not recommended to increase the depth of your shelf by more than an inch or two. Making your shelf deeper than 12 inches can cause your shelf to sag or not be as sturdy on the front edge.

This shelf is very easy to build and doesn’t require any special tools.  You can have it completed in a couple hours and hung on the wall in about five minutes.

So are you ready to learn How to Build Your Own Floating TV Shelf? Start by downloading the plans here.

First you’ll need a few building materials and the right tools. I’ve listed them below for your convenience.

Floating TV Shelf Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Floating TV Shelf Cut List:

  • (1) 1 ½” x 3 ½” x 48″ (back of TV shelf frame)
  • (3) 1 ½” x 3 ½” x 10½” (TV shelf supports)
  • (2) ¾” x 12″ x 48″ (top and bottom of shelf)

Floating TV Shelf Instructions:

You’ll find the simple detailed plans for this structurally sound tv display shelf here.

DIY floating TV Shelf Stand Drawing

A Note about Measurements:

Depending on how tall you want your shelf, you can either use a 2″x 4″ (which would make the opening in your shelf 3 ½” tall).  Or you can use a 2″x 6″ (which would make the opening 5 ½” tall).  If you have a table saw, you can rip whatever size board to the custom height you want.  (For this build, I ripped a 2″x 6″ down to 4″ wide for my frame.)

Once you determine the width you want, cut a piece at 48″ long.  Then, cut your three pieces at 10 ½” long.

Installation Instructions:

It’s crucial that you install your shelf to wall studs for a secure installation. For this tutorial I am assuming you are mounting your floating shelf on a wood construction wall with drywall. If you have another wall type, you may need other use strong anchors (masonry anchors or other) to secure your shelf.

Find the location you want your shelf to hang using my easy solutions to finding a wall stud without a stud finder.

Use a level to make sure the shelf is level. Locate at least 2 studs (3 is better) behind the shelf and use structural screws at least 4″ long to attach through the back of the shelf into the studs. And that’s it. You’re done!

This shelf frees up space below for more storage or to keep a minimal and modern look in your home.

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Welcome to the next level in low maintenance gardening! If you came here from my raised garden bed tutorial, let’s make your new home garden even more amazing by installing a sub-irrigated planter system. Don’t let the name fool you, sub-irrigation is a fancy term, but it’s easy to create.

What are Sub-Irrigation Planters?

Sub-irrigation (sometimes called SIP system) garden beds are a type of raised bed that waters plants from the bottom up, rather than the top down. This method helps maintain consistent soil moisture and can be more water-efficient than traditional watering techniques. In short, SIP planters are a self-watering container.

Key Features:

  • Water Reservoir: At the bottom of the bed, there’s a built-in reservoir that holds it’s own water source (I used a pond liner and perforated drainage pipes)
  • Wicking System: Above the reservoir, garden soil specifically for sub-irrigation (more on this mixture later) draws water up via capillary action to the plant roots. This results in a healthier vegetable garden.
  • Overflow Drain: Ensures excess water drains out, preventing over-saturation, too much water, and root rot.
  • Fill Tube or Pipe: Used to add water directly into the reservoir without disturbing the soil when it hasn’t rained for a while.

Benefits:

  • Water Conservation: Less water is lost to evaporation.
  • Even Moisture Levels: Plants receive a steady supply of water, reducing stress.
  • Low Maintenance: Less frequent watering is needed (going on vacation? No problem, it waters itself.)
  • Improved Root Health: Encourages deeper root growth, improved plant health, and prevents surface drying.
  • Conserves Water: Great for areas with restrictions on water usage or for severe drought conditions
  • Save Money: No need to incur the extra cost of buying soaker hoses, drip irrigation, or timers.

Ready to learn how to make your own sub-irrigation planter bed like the one above? (Note: your garden bed doesn’t have to be as elaborate, you can add it to a standard raised garden bed. I’ll show you how.)

How to Install a Sub-Irrigation System in Your Raised Garden Bed

To learn how to build a sub-irrigation garden bed, you’ll want to watch my video before proceeding. You can fast forward to minute 8:00 if you wish to see the sub-irrigation portion of the video.

To create a water-tight planter, use a fish-safe pond liner to line inside of each bed. Then measure and cut lengths of perforated drain pipes to fit in the bottom of the garden bed.

To cap off the drainage pipes, I used some weed barrier (landscape fabric) and taped it to the ends using flashing tape. This will hopefully keep the dirt from getting into the pipes. (For additional protection, you might want to lay weed cloth on top of the pipes before filling with garden soil.)

Now you’ll want to add a fill tube to fill the reservoir of the garden with water (during dry spells or to simply top off the garden). A 2 inch PVC pipe is installed vertically into one of the drainage pipes. Then use a funnel or cut off plastic bottle with the neck pointing into the pipe for a fill spout. To secure the funnel, tape or silicone seal around the neck of the funnel and the pipe.

Once your garden bed is filled with soil, only the funnel should be visible above the garden surface.

In addition to a fill tube, a drainage hole (overflow hole), drain tube, or overflow pipe is also needed.

This will prevent your garden bed from flooding (in the case of too much rain). The overflow tube is installed in the top of the drainage pipe and sends excess water out of the planter on each end. You can view how this works in my YouTube video. Seal around the overflow tube where it goes through the pond liner with silicone sealant. Wait for it to cure before exposing to water.

Now it’s time to add the garden soil mixture specifically for a sub-irrigation bed.

Raised Bed Garden Mix for Sub-Irrigation Gardens

To grow plants and vegetables in a sub-irrigation garden bed, you need a specific mixture of growing medium. It’s important to have a mixture of soil that is light and airy (nothing too heavy or dense). The mixture I used keeps the soil from getting too compact but also feeds the vegetables and fruits with nutrients. Perlite or vermiculite is a common ingredient in potting mix soil that facilitates drainage and aeration. Here’s the garden soil mixture I use for my sub-irrigation beds:

You can mix the soil ahead of time in a wheelbarrow, on a tarp, or mix it in the bed with a hoe and rake (take care not to puncture the pond liner). After adding the soil, mix in any fertilizer you want depending on what will be grown in your garden.

Now that your garden bed is filled with soil, it’s time to plant you vegetables or flowers! Get ready for those baby plants to take off and grow in your new sub-irrigation garden bed.

Visually you’d never know my garden is a sub-irrigation garden! It will be our little secret, okay? Then again, you may want to brag to all the neighbors about how you rarely have to water your garden.

Now all you have to do is decide what type of plants you’re going to grow in your new raised garden bed!

Happy gardening.

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The build plans to create your own raised garden bed with arched trellis can be found here or head to Etsy to purchase the plans.

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If you liked this article, you can see how I made a never rot square foot garden grid here.

How to Build a Square Foot Gardening Grid that Won't Rot | Pretty Handy Girl

Gardening is a passion of mine and I’ve built several garden beds in my life. But, I’ve always dreamed of building a vegetable garden that could keep the deer, rabbits, and other critters out. I also wanted garden trellises that my climbing plants wouldn’t outgrow. Finally, I wished for a garden that could survive without being watered for a week or more while we were on vacation. If you follow me on Instagram, you saw the process of building this bed unfold two years ago, it’s taken me a while, but I finally have a new DIY for you!

Introducing the Ultimate Raised Garden Bed with Arched Trellis and Sub-Irrigation!

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed with Arched Trellis

After sharing the garden bed build on my social media channels, I got many requests for the plans. I put it off for a while because I knew creating them would take a big chunk of time to create, but I think you all are worth the effort. By popular request, I drew up the plans in SketchUp and wrote a complete step-by-step tutorial to build this beautiful garden structure filled with diagrams to help you build one for yourself.

Raised Garden Bed Size:

The build plans I created call for a footprint of 11’6″ x 12’3″, but you can customize the gardens to fit your space requirements. If you do make changes, don’t forget to leave room to walk around the full exterior of the gardens. Also allow room for the gates to be opened and closed. The trellis frame height when built according to the plans is 7′ tall. You can customize any part of this build to fit your needs, though I would not recommend making the beds any wider as it will be hard to reach more than three feet across to harvest your veggies or flowers. But, if you have extremely long arms, you do what you want.

Full Plans for a Raised Garden Bed with Arch Trellis:

My full plans to build the raised garden beds with arched trellis are available to purchase here. I also made a video showing how I built the garden bed and installed a sub-irrigation system in them. The link to this video can be found here or you’ll find it embedded below.

I recommend downloading the plans and then watch the video completely before ordering materials since I offer some alternative materials and building construction (especially for the side panels).

Now, let’s talk over some details about building this raised garden bed before you get started.

Measurements:

A few notes about measurements. If you’re building your raised garden beds on flat ground, great! This will be a lot easier. If your raised bed is on a sloped section of land, you may want to make one of your beds taller to accommodate the slope. I wouldn’t recommend making one bed shorter, unless you are going to skip the sub-irrigation feature. On the flip side, more height means more dirt and materials are needed to fill the bed. Plus, more lumber and panels will be needed to clad the sides. Just be aware of this when budgeting.

I highly recommend watching the video before beginning this tutorial. It will illustrate how I prepped and built my garden beds on a gently sloped site.

Additionally, you may want to measure first and cut based on your measurements versus the measurements in my plans. Especially when you are cutting the lumber for the cross pieces on the arched trellis, the cap of the posts, and the gates. Wood can shrink, swell, twist, and bow, which can lead to changes in dimension.

You may also want to modify the heights of the shorter 4×4 posts. I find I can access my garden fairly well, but I do have to duck under the 2×4 cap on these posts. Just be aware if you make these posts taller, you will need to buy additional lumber to accommodate for the excess.

Tools:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

*These tools aren’t necessary, but will make your build easier.

Please note, you should have a basic knowledge for using a circular saw, drill, and impact driver before beginning this build. If you want to learn how to use these tools, I have a complete guide to using power tools here. Always use safety equipment when working with power tools. I’m not responsible for any injuries incurred during this build.

Supply List:

A full supply list is available with the downloadable build plans, but basically you’ll need to compile these materials for the build:

Prepping the Area:

Again, watch my video to see how to prep your planter bed areas. This will help you prep your garden site to allow for proper drainage, building, and planting.

Step 1: Select your location for your raised planter beds. Try to choose a garden space that is already leveled.

Step 2: Clear any vegetation and level the area for each bed (3′ x 12′  each with a 5′ section in between the beds.) If you have a severe slope, you may need to use retaining wall blocks or pavers to build up a low spot.

Step 3: To extend the life of the garden beds and prevent rotting, scrape away 1-2 inches of dirt. Backfill the area with drainage rock and tamp to level the rock.

Step 4: Lay landscape fabric (weed barrier) on top of the rocks to prevent weeds from growing and to protect the pond liner if you are creating a sub-irrigation bed.

Step 5: If you have a slope, you may want to consider building the lower planter bed taller so the tops of the beds are level. The best way to figure out the height differential is to lay a straight 2×4 on the ground from one bed to the other. Set a level on top of the 2×4 and use blocks or bricks to raise the lower end until the bubble shows a perfect level. Measure the lift under the raised end. This is the amount you will add to the upright pieces of the garden bed sides. For example, if you have to raise one end of the 2×4 with the level on it 5 inches, your new upright 2×4’s will now need to be 5 inches taller to be level with the bed on the higher ground.

Side Panel Materials for Garden Beds:

Let’s discuss some other options for cladding and closing in the garden bed sides. Feel free to customize the panels for your style (and visual interest) using some of the materials mentioned below. You’ll want to choose the best materials for longevity (non-rusting, non-deteriorating, and sturdy).

Side Panel Materials: You can use metal roofing material as I did. You can also use decking material (composite or pressure treated lumber*) on the inside or outside of the garden bed frame. There are also a variety of PVC materials you could use. Just be sure to select a material that is weather resistant and will not rot or disintegrate over time. I put together a Photoshop rendering of some different side panel materials for your convenience.

*There is some controversy about using pressure-treated lumber for vegetable gardens because of the potential for the chemicals to leach into the food. Do your own research. To protect chemicals from leaching, you can seal the interior of the bed with exterior paint, stain, or sealant. You can also line your bed with a liner.

alternate raised garden bed materials. - PVC panel, siding, and corrugated metal roofing material

Step-by-Step Instructions:

If you’re ready to build this raised garden bed with arched trellis, you can purchase and download the step-by-step tutorial here. I’ve spent a lot of time designing and building the beds and worked out all the kinks so you don’t have to. I know you’ll find the tutorial extremely helpful for building your raised garden beds. You can also break the plans down into smaller sections if you only want to build one of the beds.

Watering Your Garden with Sub-Irrigation Garden Beds

You can water your garden, use drip irrigation, or to learn how to make your garden bed self-watering with sub-irrigation, you’ll want to refer to this tutorial on How to Make a Sub-Irrigation Garden.

To learn what type of garden soil mixture you’ll need for your sub-irrigation vegetable garden, reference this information in the article with all the details about a sub-irrigation garden.

Good luck to you as you proceed with your raised planter beds, once you’re done you’ll have a thriving garden bed. All you have to do is decide what types of plants you want to grow in it. I’d love to see your finished garden beds, please email me some photos (or tag me on Instagram) so I can gush over your garden.

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If you liked this tutorial, I think you’ll love this one too:

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Learn how to build charming lattice window boxes to boost your curb appeal. This easy DIY guide uses simple materials with beautiful results!

How to Build Window Boxes | Pretty Handy Girl

Window boxes have always been on my “want to do” list for my house. But, I put it off because I didn’t want to build seven for our house.

When I built the shed, I knew I could dress it up with two flower window boxes.

Today I’ll show you how to Build Lattice Window Boxes to give your shed or house that beautiful cottage touch and improve the curb appeal.

How to Build Lattice Window Boxes

If you have a house that needs a little charm and character, adding window boxes is an easy way to add architectural style and curb appeal to your outdoor spaces.

But why settle for standard sizes of off-the-shelf window boxes when you can make your own window boxes that have beautiful lattice details in the size that you need!

Plus, you dictate the size of your rectangular planter, which gives them that custom look.

DIY Lattice Window Boxes with flowers

Stick around and learn how to build custom window boxes today and dress up your windows tomorrow.

Materials:

materials to build window boxes

The variety of materials listed below are for one window box. (I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Cut List:

(*A note about window box sizing: The measurements below are the ones I used for my shed window boxes. I’d suggest measuring your own windows first and add at least 2″ beyond each side of your window frame to get custom sizes. I added 3″ to each side of my window boxes.)

  • 2 – 1 x 7 ½” x 26″
  • 2 – 1 x 7 ½” x 6″
  • 1 – 1 x 6″ x 24″ (you’ll need to rip one of the 7 ½ boards to 6″ wide)

Instructions:

Lay out your wood pieces on a flat surface.

pieces of cedar board cut for window box construction

Apply wood glue to the perimeter of the bottom piece (shown in center above.)

apply wood glue to edges of window box wood

Set the front, back and side pieces in place.

window box construction diagram

Clamp the pieces around the base to form your box shape. Use 1½” finish nails to secure the front and back pieces to the sides and the base.

For more strength, wood screws will be added next.

clamp window box pieces and nail the front and back to the sides

Pre-drill three holes into the bottom and two holes into the sides using 1/8″ drill bit.

Then drive screws into the pre-drilled holes to add additional support to the window box construction.

Repeat for the opposite side.

pre-drill and drive screws into front and back of window box

Flip the window box over and drill 7/8″ holes into the bottom of the window box for drainage.

Flip the window box over and drill drainage holes

Time to dress up your plain Jane box. Measure and cut the vinyl pieces to fit around the perimeter of each panel.

I suggest making the horizontal pieces full length. Then cut the vertical pieces to fit.

mark lattice piece lengths on window box

Nail lattice pieces in place with 3/4″ finish nails.

Measure and cut vertical lattice pieces for the box. Space the pieces evenly and secure to the front and two sides of your window box with finish nails.

add vertical lattice pieces

For more detail cut and secure horizontal pieces to the centers of each framed square.

add horizontal lattice pieces

Fill the nail holes with caulk.

fill nail holes with exterior siding and trim caulk

To keep potting soil from pouring out of the holes, staple weed fabric inside the window boxes.

staple weed block fabric inside window box to retain soil

Easy installation

Your window box is complete and can now be hung. Drill and secure your window box into studs or wood supports with exterior wood screws.

completed window box diagram

Fill with potting soil and flowers and enjoy your gorgeous garden decor.

cottage style window box diy

Water your plants regularly as they will dry out faster in window boxes.

Enjoy the instant charm and character you just added to your windows with an elegant window box that you built yourself!

These wood window boxes provide an elegant touch, with a beautiful design aesthetic, similar to iron window boxes without the expense.

two window boxes on shed windows - easy diy

I hope you liked this easy DIY project! If you like this project, you’ll love this easy scalloped centerpiece tutorial:

How to Build Lattice Window Boxes

Scalloped Box Centerpiece

Have a Happy Spring Y’all!

PHGFancySign

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lattice window box with pansies

 

4 image collage diy dorm room decor

Ready to upgrade your college student’s space? These 45 DIY dorm room decor ideas are fun, affordable, and full of personality!
4 image collage diy dorm room decor

DIY Dorm Room Decor Projects

Heading off to college is a big transition, and creating a cozy, comfortable space can make all the difference for your student’s well-being and success.

With a few clever DIY projects, you can help transform a basic room into a functional and personalized retreat.

To make it easier, we’ve gathered 45 of the best DIY projects perfect for your college student’s dorm room or apartment.

Storage is key, so we’ve included lots of DIY storage ideas including underbed storage, wall storage and plenty of storage ideas for all the necessities.

Try adding a comfy chair for lounging, a small side table just the right size for a laptop and be sure to include personalized wall art with family photos.

These are just a few of the ideas we have in store for you. Take a look around to find just the right projects for your student’s space.

 

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Space Saving Sofa End Table from By Brittany Goldwyn

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Here is a really unique painted chair makeover with a chalkboard feature! This is just perfect for a college apartment or dorm room. Think how cute it would be for each roommate to have one of their own.

 

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DIY Cute Bathroom Linen Cabinet

Tall Skinny Storage Cabinet from Woodshop Diaries

Create a narrow, tall shelf for bathroom supplies. It’s a great space-saver with room for storing towels, rolls of toilet paper, baskets, and cleaning products.

 

These DIY Stacking Cubbies are a great storage solution for stuffed animals, shoes, and more! The plans and tutorial make it easy to build as many as you like!

DIY Stacking Storage Cubbies from Addicted 2 DIY

These tiered storage bins are ideal for storing footwear, books, and more. They can be customized to fit into any small nook.

 

diy under bed storage

DIY Underbed Storage from Jaime Costiglio

Here’s a straightforward storage solution utilizing cedar wood for your dorm room. Build these cedar bins to fit under your bed and take advantage of that otherwise unused area.

 

Love this DIY Jewelry Holder! Perfect use for those old corks!

DIY Jewelry Holder with Wine Corks from Love Create Celebrate

Repurpose wine corks to hang necklaces and other jewelry. This is a whimsical and affordable storage option!

 

Plenty 'o Storage from One Board | Pretty Handy Girl

One Board Storage Idea from Pretty Handy Girl

Using a single 1″ x 8″ x 8′ board, I made a decorative cubby box that offers ample storage space, making it suitable for any size room.

 

How to build an easy scrap wood multiuse caddy

Scrap Wood Caddy from Woodshop Diaries

This scrap wood caddy is extremely versatile to hold whatever you want inside. A custom shower caddy, cleaning supplies, tools, snacks, etc.

 

Wall-Mounted Desk Tutorial | Pretty Handy Girl

Wall Mounted Desk Tutorial from Pretty Handy Girl

Looking for a desk but short on floor space or budget? This guide for creating a wall-mounted desk is perfect for you! You can also adjust its length to fit your specific requirements.

 

Folding Laptop Writing Desk | Pretty Handy Girl

Folding Laptop Tutorial from Pretty Handy Girl

This folding laptop and writing table is just the thing you need to make any room a work space!

 

diy wood wall organizer with cards clipped

DIY Wood Wall Organizer from Decor Hint

Make a simple DIY wood wall organizer to organize your things, while still making the space look polished and well decorated.

 

diy sliding mirror door

DIY Sliding Mirror Door from Jaime Costiglio

 Learn how to build a sliding mirror door for a dorm room or student apartment using wood, wheels and pipe fittings.

 

diy platform bed

DIY Platform Bed In Her Garage

Don’t break the bank buying your college kid’s furniture. Create a DIY platform bed for them! This bed embodies minimalism and seamlessly compliments the contemporary Bohemian decor trend.

 

7 image collage with diy dorm room projects

 

There you have it! 45 DIY college dorm room decor ideas that you can easily create for your student’s space. I hope you found a project or two to try.

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If you are looking for more easy DIY ideas, check out my build-it project gallery.