Live-Edge Floating Shelf – Rustic Meets Modern

Article 70: Live-Edge Floating Shelf – Rustic Meets Modern

By: A Woodworker Who Believes Wood’s Natural Edge Tells a Story

Live-edge wood brings natural beauty indoors. This project shows how to turn a slab into a modern floating shelf using a concealed French cleat system.

Materials

• Live-edge slab (walnut, cherry, or maple) – 36" × 8" × 1.5"

• 3/4" plywood (cleat support)

• Wall anchors and screws

• Epoxy (optional for cracks)

• Finish: Danish oil or hardwax oil

Tools Needed

• Circular saw or table saw

• Sander (random orbit)

• Drill and driver

• Stud finder

• Chisel (if trimming cleat recesses)

Steps

1. Prepare the Slab

   • Clean the bark edge; sand smooth up to 220 grit. Fill cracks with epoxy if needed.

2. Create Recess for Cleat

   • Cut a shallow channel into the back of the shelf for a 3/4" cleat to fit flush.

3. Make French Cleat

   • Rip a 3/4" plywood strip at 45° to create the wall cleat and shelf mate.

4. Attach Cleat to Shelf

   • Glue/screw matching angled cleat into the recess on the back of the shelf.

5. Mount to Wall

   • Level and screw wall cleat to studs. Drop the shelf cleat onto it.

Sketch – Back View

| Live-Edge Shelf         |
|_________________________|
|     /\   ← Cleat Angle  |
|____/__\_________________|