These industrial shelves—what I lovingly call my Restoration Hardware Inspired Shelves—have been one of the most requested tutorials I’ve ever shared! They’re incredibly versatile and have been a part of every home we’ve lived in, from our living room to the kitchen and even my office. Honestly, they’ve been a workhorse when it comes to storage and style.
When we first made these shelves, we used reclaimed pallet wood and metal because, well, it was free! Later, we switched to thinner new pine boards for more stability, especially when we used them in the kitchen. Trust me, the switch made them even better! If you’re diving into this project, you might also enjoy my post on How to Stain Wood for tips on achieving a beautiful, rich finish, or my How to Make New Wood Look Old if you want a really rustic finish.
Industrial Metal and Wood Shelves DIY Tutorial
What you’ll need for one shelf (double everything if you’re making two, like we did):
Materials
- Angle iron 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 1/8″ thick
- 4 pieces, 68″ long (uprights)
- 2 pieces, 29.5″ long (top front and back)
- 4 pieces, 13.25″ long (top and bottom sides)
- Flat bar 4″ x 1/8″ thick
- 2 pieces, 30″ long (bottom front and back)
- All thread rod 3/8″-16
- 10 pieces, 14.5″ long (shelf supports)
- Hex bolts 3/8″-16 x 3/4″ long – 24 pieces
- Stainless steel acorn nuts 3/8″-16 – 44 pieces
- Plated hex nuts 3/8″-16 – 20 pieces
- Cold rolled steel gussets 1/8″ x 6″ x 6″ – 4 pieces (sheared/mitered to fit)
- Pine board 1″ x 13″ x 29.5″ (topmost shelf)
- Reclaimed pallet wood (shelves) – Total: 13″ x 29.5″ each (3 pieces per shelf to total 13″ depth)
- WD-40 or similar degreaser
- 2-3 cans of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint
- Minwax dark walnut stain
- Lint-free rags
Tools
- Drill with 3/8″ bit
- Sandpaper
- Lint-free rag
TIP: For clarification on some steps, please refer to detail photos and drawing. If you click on the drawing (isn’t Dean AWESOME?!), it will open larger in a new window. Right-click to save so you can refer back to it later.
1. Measure and drill holes in the metal
Precise measurements here are key, so take your time.
2. Sand burrs and sharp edges
This will ensure no one gets injured and give your metal a professional finish.
3. Clean all parts
Use WD-40 or a similar degreaser, and wipe everything down thoroughly.
4. Paint metal parts
Spray all metal pieces, including the all-thread rods, using light, even coats. Leave the nuts and bolts unpainted.
5. Prepare wood shelves
Cut, sand, and stain the wood pieces with Minwax dark walnut stain for a beautiful, rich tone.
6. Assemble shelves
Begin by building the front and back portions separately. Then join them together with the side pieces, ensuring the top angle iron pieces are placed correctly.
7. Thread hex nuts
Add a hex nut to each end of every all-thread rod, 2 inches from the ends.
8. Secure all-thread rods
Attach these between the uprights using acorn nuts. Tighten the acorn nuts until they meet the angle iron, then secure with hex nuts on the inside.
9. Install wood shelves
Set the wood pieces onto the all-thread rods.
10. Style and enjoy
Step back, admire your work, and style them to your heart’s content!
FAQs
Absolutely! You can use any wood you like, but I recommend pine or another lightweight option to avoid putting too much weight on the frame.
I’ve found Metal Supermarkets or similar stores to be a great resource. They can even cut the metal for you, which saves a ton of time.
Not at all! Choose a color that complements your decor. Black, matte finishes, or even metallics can look stunning.
Yes, but it does require some basic power tool skills and a little patience with measuring and assembly.
These shelves are sturdy and can handle a fair amount of weight, but I recommend sticking to decor and moderately heavy items to be safe.
More DIY Furniture
- DIY Industrial Wood and Metal Shelves
- DIY Brickmaker’s Coffee Table
- DIY Balustrade Coffee Table + Where to Get Balustrades!
- Ikea Hack: DIY Rustic Cube Shelves
- How to Make a Reclaimed Wood Headboard With New Wood For Less Than $50
- DIY Blanket Ladder Made with 2 x 4s
- DIY Faux Fireplace Mantel
- How to Build a Faux Mantel Shelf (DIY Mantel Shelf Tutorial)
DIY Industrial Wood and Metal Shelves
Build these industrial wood and metal shelves - they're so versatile and can be used in almost any room.
Materials
- Angle iron 1.5″ x 1.5″ x 1/8″ thick
- 4 pieces, 68″ long (uprights)
- 2 pieces, 29.5″ long (top front and back)
- 4 pieces, 13.25″ long (top and bottom sides)
- Flat bar 4″ x 1/8″ thick
- 2 pieces, 30″ long (bottom front and back)
- All thread rod 3/8″-16
- 10 pieces, 14.5″ long (shelf supports)
- Hex bolts 3/8″-16 x 3/4″ long – 24 pieces
- Stainless steel acorn nuts 3/8″-16 – 44 pieces
- Plated hex nuts 3/8″-16 – 20 pieces
- Cold rolled steel gussets 1/8″ x 6″ x 6″ – 4 pieces (sheared/mitered to fit)
- Pine board 1″ x 13″ x 29.5″ (topmost shelf)
- Reclaimed pallet wood (shelves) – Total: 13″ x 29.5″ each (3 pieces per shelf to total 13″ depth)
- WD-40 or similar degreaser
- 2-3 cans of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint
- Minwax dark walnut stain
- Lint-free rags
Tools
- Drill with 3/8″ bit
- Sandpaper
- Lint-free rag
Instructions
- Measure and drill holes in metal.
- Sand all burrs and sharp edges.
- Clean parts. Spray with WD-40 or similar degreaser and wipe clean.
- Paint all metal parts, including all thread rod. Do NOT paint nuts and bolts. As with all spray painting, paint a thin coat using a back and forth sweeping motion of your hand. Repeat until desired coverage is achieved. Let dry.
- Meanwhile cut and sand wood shelving pieces. And stain with dark walnut stain and a lint free rag.
- Assemble front and back portion of shelves separately first. Then join together with top and bottom side pieces. Note placement of top angle iron pieces – it is different than the bottom pieces.
- Thread hex nuts onto each end of each piece of all thread rod, 2 inches from the ends.
- Attach all thread rod between front and back uprights using acorn nuts. Tighten acorn nuts until they touch the angle iron. Then tighten the hex nuts to the angle on the inside.
- Put wood shelves in place by setting on all thread rods.
- Style and give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!
Notes
For clarification on some steps, please refer to detail photos and drawing. If you click on the drawing (isn’t Dean AWESOME?!), it will open larger in a new window. Right-click to save so you can refer back to it later.
The metal can be sourced and likely cut for you at Metal Supermarkets or similar stores.
Every time I look at these industrial shelves, I’m reminded of why I love DIY so much. They’re functional, stylish, and truly one-of-a-kind. Whether you’re creating these for your kitchen, living room, or office, they’ll make a statement and serve you well for years to come. If you’ve been thinking about trying a project like this, go for it—you’ve got this!
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