DIY Custom Floating Shelves & Storage Cabinet

This post will walk you through the process of building and installing DIY custom floating shelves in my basement home gym. They were simple to build and made a huge impact!

As a former NFL cheerleader, fitness used to be a major part of my life. I spent years eating right, staying active, and prioritizing my physical health. But life took a turn—one I wholeheartedly embrace—when I got married and had kids. Two c-sections later, I found myself in a cycle familiar to many moms: prioritizing everyone but myself. Over time, the gym fell to the bottom of my priorities, buried beneath laundry, work, and the constant demands of life.

Now that I’m on the other side of my 30s, I’ve decided it’s time to get back to routines that prioritize my health and longevity—not just for me, but for my family too. I want to be here, strong and healthy, for my husband and children in the long run. To make that a reality, I needed to address a major obstacle: the gym itself.

Why a Home Gym?

Commercial gyms are great, but it has been hard to fit them into my current lifestyle. The process of getting dressed, driving there, finding parking, sharing equipment, and dealing with the anxiety of a crowded gym made it way too easy for me to skip.

I realized that if I wanted to eliminate excuses, I needed to make it easy. That’s how the idea of a home gym came about. Yes, the initial cost of equipment and setup is significant, but it’s a one-time investment that pays off in convenience and consistency. No memberships, no commutes, no excuses.

Here are some inspo pics I saved on my Pinterest board:

The Gym Nook: From Closet to Functional Storage

Closet space before the build; nothing here!

Once we decided to use one of the newly finished bedrooms in our basement as a gym, I asked the contractor to leave what would have been the closet open and avoid adding a door or closing the space off. My goal was to transform it into functional (and decorative) storage. I envisioned a sleek storage cabinet at the bottom with DIY custom floating shelves above to organize gym equipment, accessories, and cleaning supplies.

This keeps the space neat, prevents clutter from overwhelming the gym, and provides a home for all those gym items that don’t need to be out in the open. The project turned out to be the perfect blend of style and functionality.

Step-by-Step Guide: Building DIY Floating Shelves

Now, let me walk you through the process of building and installing the custom floating shelves. They are sturdy, custom-made shelves to hold my gym accessories and decor items.

Materials I Used:

Note: the nook is 52″ wide, and I built 2 shelves

Wood:

1x12x6 Boards (for the shelf tops and bottoms)
1x3x6 Boards (for the face frame)
1×2 Boards (8-ft) (for the support frame)

Tools:

Cut List:

1×12 Boards: 4 pieces @ 52″.
1×3 Boards: 2 pieces @ 52″.
1×2 Boards:
- Back supports: 2 pieces @ 52″.
- Side supports: 4 pieces @ 9.75″.
- Middle supports: 2 pieces @ 9.75″.

Measuring and finding studs
Cutting the wood to size
Drilling pilot holes
Installing support frames
Installing support frames
Adding top and bottom boards
Adding shelf top and bottom
Add middle support
Sanding
Sanding
Staining
Caulking

Installation Steps:

Find and mark studs:
First, I used the stud finder to locate studs along the back and sides of my gym nook. I marked the center of each stud with a pencil at my desired shelf heights. The stud finder I used also highlighted any live wires or metal piping, so that was really helpful for my piece of mind.
Install back supports:
Then, I took a 1×2 board (52″) and laid it flat along the marked height. I drilled pilot holes and secured it to the studs with 3-inch wood screws. I laid the board flat so the .75″ side was facing out to reduce the thickness of the shelf.
Install side supports:
I attached the 1×2 side supports (9.75″) laid flat at the same height, flush with the back support piece. These side supports didn’t actually fall on a stud, so I used wall anchors with 75 lb. capacity to secure them to the wall, still using 3-inch screws.
Attach shelf tops:
Next, I added wood glue around the 3 sides of a 1×12 board (52″), and placed it on top of the frame. I nailed it into place with the brad nailer and 18-gauge brad nails.
Attach shelf bottoms:
I repeated the same step with another 1×12 board (52″) and placed it on the bottom, sandwiching the frame. Then secured it to the back, side, and middle supports using the brad nailer and nails.
Added middle supports:
Then I slid the 1×2 middle supports (9.75″) into the structure at the midpoint. I didn’t secure these to the back support nor the shelf tops or bottoms to reduce the amount of nail holes. Also, I just wanted some extra mass within the shelf to ensure it doesn’t bow or sag in the middle. So it’s not actually supporting any weight from the strength of the stud.
Attach face frames:
The last step of assembly was for me to align a 1×3 board (52″) flush with the front of the shelf. I secured it with 6 brad nails for a seamless, polished finish – 2 on each end, and 2 in the center
Fill nail holes:
I used wood filler on all the areas I nailed with the gun.
Sand and finish:
Next, I sanded all visible edges for smoothness, then applied a dark walnut wood stain for a finished look that is similar to the basement flooring.
Caulk
To finish it all up with a polished and professional look, I caulked the edges, applying a thin bead and wiping with a damp cloth. I skipped adding caulk to the the side that touched the black wall because I felt that the white caulk outline would be too prominent against the black.

Adding the Storage Cabinet

Before building the floating shelves, I ordered a black storage cabinet from Home Depot to serve as the base of the nook. It offers additional concealed storage for items like towels, smaller weights, gym accessories, and cleaning supplies. You can find the exact cabinet here. Assembly was straightforward, and it fits perfectly into the space.

Why This Project Matters

For me, this project is more than just building shelves or assembling furniture. It’s about creating a space where I can prioritize myself—without excuses. As a busy mom and wife, I’ve spent years putting my needs on the back burner, but I’m learning that self-care isn’t selfish. This gym isn’t just a room in my basement; it’s an investment in my health, my family, and my future.

Your Turn

To see these steps in action, check out my YouTube video where I walk through all the steps!

If you’re considering a home gym, I encourage you to take the leap. Tailor the space to fit your needs, and don’t shy away from a little DIY—it’s always so rewarding and I find it to also be cost-effective when you plan correctly. You’ll find links to all the tools and materials I used throughout this post to make your own custom floating shelves and transform your space into something functional and inspiring.

If you want to see a full tour of my basement, check out my Finished Basement Tour blog post. Let me know in the comments what you think or if you have questions! Let’s prioritize ourselves together.