How to box out shelves

Fattening up a standard skinny shelf into a chunkier, funkier model is as cheap as chips – but the result will look far more expensive.

shopping list

• shelf and bracket kit
• MDF
• wood adhesive
• adhesive gun (optional)
• sandpaper
• caulk
• paint
• paint brush

TOP TIP: using an adhesive gun makes the flow of adhesive far easier to control.

1 Put up the standard shelf in the method described earlier (How to put up a shelf on BB, or page 44 of A Girl's Guide to Decorating).

To make boxy shelves you need to create three new fascias: for the top, front and underside. The front fascia will be the same width and height as the original shelf. To calculate the size of the top and underside, measure the depth of the shelf and add the thickness of the MDF to your measurement (the width will be the same as for the original shelf). Have your lengths cut to size at a DIY store.

2 Apply the adhesive to the back of the boards in a zig-zag fashion and press each piece firmly to the existing shelf. Leave to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer.

3 When the new fascias are fully bonded, caulk the gaps and sand off any excess for a smooth finish.

4 Paint as desired for a truly sensational look, remembering to clean the brush thoroughly afterwards.

TOP TIP: Walls, floor and shelves painted in complementary tones work well in smaller rooms.

Extracted from A Girl's Guide to Decorating by Abigail Ahern, published by Quadrille, £16.99, photography by Grahams Atkins-Hughes.

Read our review of A Girl's Guide to Decorating on our blog.