Brick & Board Variations

• An old shelving idea was to use boards separated by bricks. This technique of shelf making is still functional and attractive. Variations on this theme can use concrete blocks, glass blocks or even other pieces of wood. The key is to not build the shelving units so high that they become unstable. If you have pets or children, placing at least one end of the shelves against a wall will help keep them from tipping over if bumped. If you have an alcove, ensure stability by cutting the boards to the width of the alcove. Brick and board shelves and variants are held together by the pull of gravity on the shelves and their contents.
  
  

Simple Fastened Shelves

• Simple fastened shelves are a variant of brick and board shelves. If you glue or bolt the shelves to their supports, whether they be brick or glass blocks, the shelves begin to have more structural integrity. One interesting variant is to use glass bottles or jars, using a stout glue to keep the shelves and bottles attached. Simple fastened shelves can often be taller than brick and board shelves that rely on gravity for stability.
  
  

Single Wall Hung Shelves

• If you need just a single shelf in an ideal location, screw and glue two boards together to form a long L-shaped shelf. The shelf will look like half of a box. Paint the wood and attach it to the wall in the desired spot. There are several ways to attach this type of shelf to the wall. The first is simply to screw cup hooks or eyes into the top of the shelf near the wall and hang the shelf from screws. Another way is to drill through the portion of the "L" that will be flush with the wall. Use mollies if necessary and screw the shelf directly to the wall.