If you are like me and don’t like visual clutter and you are looking for a way to elevate your living space, reduce clutter, and add functionality. This DIY project might be just what you need! In this post, I’ll show you step-by-step how I transformed the cluttered corner with open shelves next to my fireplace into a stunning built-in cabinet with floating shelves and a modern slat wall design. The built-in cabinet hides the clutter, while the floating shelves provide the perfect space to display my favorite decor pieces, creating a stylish and functional look for any living room.
This project not only optimized storage but also became a beautiful focal point in my family room, that I just love looking at. Let’s dive into the process, step-by-step tips, and the tools I used to achieve this look!
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If you’re a visual learner, I’ve also put together a detailed video that you can check out below.
Materials and Tools Needed
Here’s a list with links of the materials and tools I used for this project. Make sure you have these on hand before you start:
Materials
- Built-In Cabinet:
- See this blog post “How to Build a Cabinet Without a Table Saw” for built-in cabinet details
- Floating Shelves:
- 1/2-inch plywood for shelves
- 2×2 pine wood for shelf supports
- Black cabinet-grade paint in Onyx (Benjamin Moore)
- Slat Wall Design:
- Painting and Prep:
- White paint in Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore) for wall
- Black paint in Onyx (Benjamin Moore) for wall
- Black paint in Onyx (Benjamin Moore) for shelves and cabinet
- Decor and Accessories:
Tools
Before: The Cluttered Open Shelf Situation
The corner had open shelves that I installed over six years ago when I was just starting out with DIY projects, when you took a close look at them you could definitely tell that they were a beginner DIY project. While functional at the time, they no longer matched the style or needs of my space.
Step 1: Clearing Out and Demolition
After removing all the items, I tackled taking down the shelves. Be prepared for a struggle if the brackets were installed with long screws.
After removing the shelves I removed the wood panels using a puller. It took me about 40 minute to remove them, luckily I didn’t glue the panels and had just nailed them on.
Step 2: Wall Prep and Painting
Before painting, I patched up all holes, especially the big ones I made when I removed the drywall anchors.
After patching up the wall I primed the wall first before painting.
After priming I painted the sides white and the back wall black
- Paint Colors Used:
- White Walls: Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore
- Back Wall: Onyx by Benjamin Moore
Step 3: Building & Installing the Floating Shelves
I built floating shelves using ½-inch plywood for the shelves and 2×2 pine wood for supports. I cut the plywood using my circular saw and a rip cut guide. Below is a picture of me using the rip cut guide and and circular saw to build the cabinet
Before putting the shelves together I painted them in the color Onyx by Benjamin Moore using cabinet paint.
To assemble the shelves, I secured the top, bottom, and front pieces with a brad nailer to the 2×2 supports, ensuring everything was level and sturdy. The shelves were then installed by anchoring the supports using 2×2 to wall studs for maximum stability.
Step 4: Adding the Cabinet
The cabinet was custom-built, details available in the blog post “How to Build a Cabinet Without a Table saw” I used plywood for the cabinet box, and red oak to cabinet front frame and ounctertop.
I also used plywood for the doors.
Step 5: Adding the Slat Wall
For the slat wall I used a prefinished red oak kit. I cut the slats to size with my miter saw and secured them to the wall with brad nails.
The picture below shows how I decided on the spacing, I used scrap pieces of 3/4 wood.
Step 6: Final Touches and Decor
Once the construction was complete, it was time to decorate! I mixed pieces I already owned with a few new finds to complement the modern look. I’ve linked similar decor items below to help you recreate this style.
This project was an awesome way to upgrade my family room and make better use of an underutilized space, and I was actually able to finish the entire space in 4 weeks! With some basic tools, a bit of patience, and creativity, you can transform any corner of your home into a functional and stylish focal point.
