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Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Step 1: Make Upper and Lower Panels

This document provides instructions to build a floating shelf with hidden LED lights. The shelf is constructed from plywood and wood boards. LED lights are installed in a channel behind the bottom panel and wired to pass through the wall. A frame is installed on the wall to support the shelf. Holes are drilled and wires run to connect the LED lights to a controller. The shelf is then secured to the frame, hiding the lights and wiring. The finished shelf provides lighting and hidden storage.

Uploaded by

Victor Hugo Martinez
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185 views10 pages

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Step 1: Make Upper and Lower Panels

This document provides instructions to build a floating shelf with hidden LED lights. The shelf is constructed from plywood and wood boards. LED lights are installed in a channel behind the bottom panel and wired to pass through the wall. A frame is installed on the wall to support the shelf. Holes are drilled and wires run to connect the LED lights to a controller. The shelf is then secured to the frame, hiding the lights and wiring. The finished shelf provides lighting and hidden storage.

Uploaded by

Victor Hugo Martinez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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instructables

Hidden LED Floating Shelf

by travis.muszynski

you how to build the shelf and integrate in an LED light


strip. I’ll also show you how to run the wire down the
wall to make it completely discrete. I use both Samsung
//www.youtube.com/embed/XshCG-orGv4
Smartthings and Google home to control my lights.

This shelf helped me organize my o ce desk and


eliminate the need for a desk lamp. It’s classy and
In this video I’m going to show you how to make a
functional.
strong oating shelf with a hidden LED light! I’ll show

Step 1: Make Upper and Lower Panels

First, I determine how big you want your shelf to be, Use a scrap piece of LED light channel to determine the
then cut your upper and lower panels out of ½” size of the rabbet in the edge of the bottom panel. I cut
plywood. The panels should be the size of the shelf the rabbet on a table saw with multiple passes and then
minus the width of your perimeter panels. In my case I cleaned it up with a chisel.
subtracted ¾” for the front panel and 1 ½” for the two
side panels.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 1


Step 2: Make Front and Side Panels

Measured and cut the side and front panels. I used 1x3 boards with basic miter joints in the corners.

Step 3: Assemble Shelf

Now assemble the front and side panels to the top and bottom panels using glue and brad nails.

Because I could not nail into the front edge with the rabbet, I added a support to help align the bottom panel in the
middle and just glued it in place.

I had one gap I wanted to close, so instead of using a brad nail in that corner, I pre drilled a hole and used a nishing
screw.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 2


Step 4: Fill Holes

Now ll the holes with wood ller.

Step 5: Rough Sand

Rough sand the shelf with 120 grit sandpaper.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 3


Step 6: Build Frame

Cut a test piece to make sure the frame ts right inside Then cut them all to the right length.
the shelf. It should be snug, but not tight.
Lay out the frame and then clamp all the pieces into
Once you like the t, determine how much wood you place.
will need for the frame. I like to make the frame about 2”
smaller than the opening on all sides. This allows a bit of Pre drill all the holes with a countersinking bit and then
adjustment later and ensures you won't hit any nails that screw the frame together.
may have poked through during assembly.
Finally, test t the frame inside of the shelf.
Then rip all the frame pieces to the right width.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 4


Step 7: Caulk All Seams

Caulk all the seams and gaps with paintable caulk.

Step 8: Final Sand

Sand again with 220 grit sandpaper.

Step 9: Prime

Now prime the shelf.

Once the primer is dry, drill some holes with a countersink bit to screw the shelf to the frame and then, lightly sand again
with 220 grit sandpaper.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 5


Step 10: Paint

Now paint the shelf.

Step 11: Install LED Lights

Lay down a bead of CA glue and then install the LED light strip channel. Before doing this I spray painted it white to
match the shelf.

Next, drill a hole for the wire, feed the wire into the hole and solder the wires to the LED light strip.

Now cut the di user to length and snap into place.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 6


Step 12: Prep for Install

Mark out a level line where you want to put the shelf and mark out all the stud locations

Drill a hole for the wire to pass through the wall.

Now mark out the location for the wall plate. Be sure it's in the same wall cavity as the hole you drilled above.

Carefully cut out the drywall for the plate.

Fish the re through the wall using a sh tape.

Now install the wall plate.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 7


Step 13: Install Frame

Install the frame. Start by drilling a hole where the wire will pass through. Then mark the location of the studs on the
frame and start the screws. I used 3” wood screws with washers.

Run the wire through the hole and screw in one of the screws. Now, make sure the frame is perfectly level, and then
screw in the rest of the screws.

Step 14: Install LED Controller

Install the LED light controller of your choice using the manufacturers instructions.

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 8


Step 15: Install Shelf

Slide the shelf part way over the frame.

Run the wires through the frame and connect the wires, tuck them back into the shelf cavity and push the shelf against
the wall.

Step 16: Test

Before screwing the shelf to the frame, test the LED lights to make sure they function how you want them to. I use
Smartthings and Google Home to control these lights.

Step 17: Secure Shelf With Screws

Finally, screw the shelf to the frame.

Enjoy your elegant storage solution!

Hidden LED Floating Shelf: Page 9


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