In this article, you’ll learn how to build a custom behind the door skinny shelf! I’ll guide you through the steps to create a practical and stylish storage solution.
Whether you need a spot for books, bathroom products, or even small decor items, this behind-the-door shelf is perfect for maximizing space. Its slim design makes it easy to fit in tight areas, and you can customize it to fit your needs, making it both functional and stylish.
I built this particular shelf for my daughter’s room since she’s an avid reader and was running out of space for her chapter books. To match her room’s decor, I painted the shelf a soft pink from Magnolia Home Paint, which adds a fun pop of color.
Now, not only does she have a dedicated spot for her books, but we also added a few hooks for her to hang her necklaces, creating a cute and practical solution for both storage and display!
[AFFILIATE LINKS ARE PROVIDED BELOW FOR CONVENIENCE. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE MY DISCLOSURE HERE.]
Tools & Supply List for Behind The Door Storage
Supply List
- (3) 1x4x8 Primed Pine
- (2) 1x2x8 Select Pine
- (1) 1x6x8 Select Pine
- (1) Oriental Chair Rail Moulding
- (3) Hooks
- L Brackets
- Drywall Anchors
- Paint- I used Magnolia Paint in the color Ella Rose
- Topcoat (optional)
- Wood Glue
- Wood Filler
- Caulk
- 220 Sandpaper
Recommended Tools List
- Miter Saw
- Clamps
- Corner Clamps (optional)
- Measuring Tape (best one there is)
- Jigsaw
- Brad Nailer & Nails
- Pin Nailer & Nails (optional)
- Level
- Palm Sander
- Paint Brush
- Caulk Gun
Dimensions
The overall dimensions of this behind the door skinny shelf is 6′ H x 3.5″ D x 23″ W.
Feel free to customize the height and width of your skinny shelf to fit your space. Just remember to account for the door knob when deciding on the width. I made mine a bit narrower since we have long-handled door knobs, and I didn’t want them bumping into the shelf every time the door opened.
Total Cost Of Behind The Door Bookshelf
At the time of this article (Oct 2024) it cost me about $70 to build this shelf. To keep in mind I already had things like paint, drywall anchors, wood glue & filler. But, for all the wood, hooks and the L brackets it was a little under $70.
Another factor to be aware of is that lumber prices change all the time so be sure to check different types of wood when picking your lumber. For example I normally don’t buy primed pine but for some reason at the time of building this skinny shelf it was cheaper in certain sizes!
$70 is still a fantastic deal, especially when you consider that a similar shelf on Amazon costs around $90. The best part about building one yourself is that the wood you’ll use is far superior to the cheap materials found in the Amazon version. Plus, you have the freedom to customize the dimensions, ensuring it fits your space perfectly!
How To Build A Behind The Door Skinny Shelf
Make Your Frame Cuts
The first step in constructing this skinny shelf was to measure and cut the frame. Since I wanted the shelf to stand 6 feet tall, I cut two 1x4x8 boards down to 72 inches. With the leftover 1x4s, I cut two pieces to 21.5 inches to form the top and bottom of the shelf.
To complete the frame, I then took a 1x6x8 board and cut 2 additional pieces to 21.5 inches.
Notch Out For Baseboards
Before assembling the frame pieces, it’s important to notch out space for the baseboards so the shelf can sit flush against the wall. Since this behind-the-door shelf will be snug against the wall, you’ll need to cut notches at the bottom of the 72-inch boards, allowing the frame to sit just above the baseboards.
To do this, measure the height of your baseboards and round up to the nearest inch—in my case, I allowed 4 inches for clearance. As shown in the photos, I marked 4 inches up and about 1 inch in on the side.
Once your notches are marked, use a jigsaw to carefully cut them out.
Assemble Shelf Frame
When assembling the frame, I started with the top section. To keep everything aligned and stable, I used a corner clamp to hold the pieces in place, but if you don’t have one, no problem—you can still assemble the frame without it!
Begin by positioning your first 21.5 inch 1×4 between the side pieces at the top. Apply wood glue to the ends, then secure the board with a brad nailer. Next, take your 1×6 piece and install it at the bottom front of the shelf, as shown in the picture below.
This board should be positioned at the front of the shelf, not flat on the ground, as it serves as a toe kick.
Now, take the remaining 1×4 and place it directly above the toe kick (1×6) to create your first shelf! Be sure to apply wood glue to the ends before securing it, as wood glue is actually stronger than most screws for holding these pieces together.
Cut And Install Shelves
Before installing the shelves, you’ll want to attach the board that will hold the hooks. This is the last 1×6 piece you cut earlier. Position this piece at the top of your skinny shelf, but this time, recess it toward the back of the frame, opposite to how you installed the previous 1×6. This way, it will sit slightly back, creating space for hanging items on the hooks we’ll add later.
The next step offers plenty of customization! You can use my shelf spacing measurements or adjust the number of shelves to suit your needs.
Starting from the bottom shelf we’ve already installed, cut a 1×2 to 21.5 inches to serve as a book stop. This will keep books from sliding off when stored. Apply wood glue to the ends, then position and attach it 1.5 inches above the top of the shelf.
Now, you will do the same with all the other shelves once you have installed them. As for the other shelves, I spaced the shelves so that my daughter could put all sizes of books on them. So going from the bottom and working our way up, the next shelf will be 12.5 inches from the top of your bottom shelf.
From the top of the second shelf you will go up another 12.5 inches to install your third shelf. From the top of the third shelf you will go up 15 inches this time. That leaves you with 22 7/8 inches from the top of your last shelf to the top of the skinny shelf itself!
To add a little detail to the 1×2’s I ended up buying a small piece of trim and installing it with my pin nailer on the top of each 1×2. I tried finding the exact one I bought on Lowes website but I didn’t have any luck.
You don’t necessarily have to do this part but it adds a little detail to all the straight lines.
Finishing Touches
Before you paint your behind-the-door skinny shelf you will want to take time to fill all your nail holes and caulk along your shelves.
Last step is to paint your shelf! I took 220 grit sandpaper and gave everything a light sand after I filled all the holes. Then I took leftover paint from my daughters room and painted two coats of Magnolia Home Paint on the shelf.
For added durability you can add a layer or two of any topcoat to protect the shelves. In this case I skipped this step mainly because, I was so excited to get it installed that I completely forgot until it was already installed and had books on it!
After everything is dry and ready to go you can install your hooks before or after the shelf is on the wall.
How To Install Behind-The-Door Skinny Shelf
To install the behind-the-door skinny shelf you will need some L brackets and wall anchors. The pack of L brackets I got at Lowes had 4 brackets in a pack. I took 2 of them and installed them at the top of the shelf.
If you’re not drilling into a wall stud, be sure to use drywall anchors for a secure hold. These are our go-to drywall anchors for everything—they’re incredibly reliable!
The last two brackets I installed on the bottom shelf, which will be covered up by books so you won’t see the brackets anyway.
I hope this DIY behind-the-door skinny shelf project inspires you to make the most of every bit of space in your home! With just a few materials and a little customization, you can create a functional and stylish storage solution that’s perfect for books, accessories, or whatever you need to organize.
Happy building!
[Safety is of great importance when working on DIY projects. Always follow proper safety guidelines, wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and adhere to local building codes and regulations. READ MY FULL DISCLAIMER HERE.]
