Kitchen Remodel: Part 13 - Floating Shelves

Instead of upper cabinets, I built two open shelves along the north wall of the kitchen. I used 1.5 inch thick bamboo plywood for the shelves. I wanted the shelves to float like two objects on the wall. I used hidden steel pins set into the studs of the wall to support the shelves.

[@GlassImpressions]

Frank, I love the floating shelves. At first I was not sure about the bamboo plywood edges but now I am in love!!!

[@williamhayden7711]

Glass Impressions Yeah that bamboo ply is a seriously beautiful slice of wood. Can't imagine it was inexpensive. Bamboo being a weed and one of the fastest growing things on the planet is treated like rare exotic wood in formats like this. A trend I hope will change since bamboo is so available and renewable. I think the issue is turning bamboo stocks into something usable.

[@RobinLewisMakes]

Never thought I'd be a fan of bamboo but it looks great in that kitchen

[@MikeWaldt]

Frank, you bring a whole new meaning to the saying " I'm just going to put up a couple of shelves dear ".....lol. Great video, and of course....great shelves :) Take care Mike

[@frankmakes]

Mike Waldt Thanks Mike

[@madmo453]

You have to be the most meticulous woodworker I have ever seen. I envy born your skill and your patience.

[@MarkleZephire]

Love watching your kitchen renovation Frank. Thanks for sharing.

[@foreverfree8856]

Every time I open KZbin I'm anticipating a new video from you. Best entertainment around!

[@w0mblemania]

Frank, a suggestion: perhaps go back in with the router and recess those lights some more. Then cover the strips with frosted plastic. That would make the appearance much more subtle, and well, stylish. Cheers.

[@tkotanko]

I get so embarrassingly excited when I get notice of a new offering from you... Love your edits on your work

[@cedarridgen2791]

Very enjoyable to view. Your videos have just the right amount of verbal description to visual instruction. I love that you turn the saw noise down and narrate over it. The drawings that are superimposed over the video makes for a multi-media montage that floods my senses with informative. Nicely done. I write instructive procedures for high tech weapons for our nation's defense for a living and have an appreciation for the thought that you put into your work.

[@Campitor]

I love watching your videos - very informative and inspirational. And your commentary throughout is great.

[@arboristBlairGlenn]

Another superb presentation with some quality editing. Really liked your overlays.

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

I love this design - The kitchen is coming along beautifully.

[@williamhayden7711]

The ShavingWood Workshop it's finished. :( Time for Frank to find a new project. Unless I've missed something.

[@mervhoward5821]

I don't even watch the video before I give a thumbs up. It's always great. Cheers Frank

[@adamwoodcreations]

We will be remodeling our kitchen soon. Marking a 2x4 is a great idea since our studs are no where near 16 oc. Always learn something from you video!. Thanks Frank

[@Lee-qp6gf]

Frank, thanks for sharing this set of videos. I have run into some of the same things you did. The build was awesome and entertaining also.

[@robshamel3210]

looks great! I always enjoy the thought processes you share throughout your videos, ie. the shelf holes being bigger, it makes me feel good about the "on-the-fly" changes I happen to make on projects. Thanks for all your work on the videos too. Also, so glad the plastic wrap on the bamboo didn't trip you up with that heavy ply in your arms, I was thinking "Whoa, that would have been nasty".

[@BenBrandt22]

Elegant and sturdy shelves Frank. Looks great no matter what gets crammed onto it :-)

[@Zerostar369]

Always a pleasure to watch your approach to solving various challenges.

[@nevillestyles]

As always, fantastic work and production, thank you for your efforts and for sharing. I especially like 2:09 - "I made a stick", finally part of a Frank Howarth project I feel I have the skills to emulate :)

[@phil.pinsky]

Hi Frank, I absolutely love your videos. The quality and work that you put into them is extraordinary. One tip that i have for finding studs is to use a rare earth magnet to locate the drywall screws. Has never failed me.

[@hudsonriverlee]

Very kitchen elegant. Shelves that are functional and look very very good. A win win.

[@scyther1141]

That plywood looks beautiful nice job Frank.

[@JamesTorrey]

Great job Frank. Just a though, perhaps add a rabbet to the light slot, then add a long strip of frosted plexi glass, or acrylic to hide the strip, and better diffuse the light. Could just glue in there. Love your videos as always! Cheers!

***** Or he could cast the strips in some frosted epoxy.

[@eirvine]

Sounds like a mess, but a great challenge!

[@4570Govt]

Manfred Höffken That could work, but what happens if(and they certainly DO) the LED light strip burns out?

[@JamesTorrey]

LED's burn out? If you use them 10 hours a day, they last roughly 13 years.... www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=LED+life+span

[@4570Govt]

***** These "strip/roll" LED's are notorious(at least in my multiple experiences using them for various projects) for shorting/burning out/just simply dying. Having an elegant, but simple method of diffusing the light, but allowing for repair/replacement is what I was suggesting

[@HeavyboxesDIYMaster]

Very ambitious. Awe-inspiring. Now that is a very sturdy floating shelf!

[@noiserock]

Your videos are so entertaining that I've found myself excited to watch you remodel a kitchen. Seriously, I get happy over every update. Keep up the good work.

[@kristasmith7841]

That's the most thorough stud-finding I've ever seen.

[@mikehill3426]

High quality video production, conversational commentary, creative design, cool projects and relatability. You tubers should study this channel as it shows how great a channel can be. It's just fun. Frank is the man. That is all.

[@marceaton3128]

Frank you do some amazing work, thanks for sharing this project with us.

[@basilroland]

Watching your videos make me feel like everything in the world goes in order and fits. it's an amazing feeling

[@DesignBuildExecute]

This just keeps getting better and better, Frank!

[@AMPstudents]

frank howarth My wife and I just binge-watched your entire kitchen remodel. We desperately need the next episode. Please hurry. Yours truly, Dustin & Cara.

[@ozzynonoise]

Hi Frank, absolutely love the way you did those shelves, the bamboo looks great, here in The Netherlands most buildings have stone or concrete walls and a slight slip of the dril is always possible. What we use are steel rods (just like yours), but there's a woodscrew offcenter mounted at one end. Not a hole in the shelve but a slot, so you can fidle around a bit, by turning the steel rods. .... Patrick a WoodWorking Rookie from the Netherlands

[@jonathan__g]

Are you planning to cover the LED strips in some way? Maybe with some frosted plexiglass to diffuse the brightness a bit and/or to hide the strip? I am asking since it might not be very appealing to the eye to see that strip every time you reach for something on the shelf and you dont have any trim around the edge to hide it with. I like the open look of it though!

[@endorphinaddict777]

^^^ this guys has the right idea, the plastic will also diffuse the light and reduce that shadow effect

[@Its_mr_kai]

Was going to suggest the exact same thing

[@eirvine]

jonathan_g Yeah was thinking the same thing. Only issue is that he mentioned the kitchen being pretty bright already, so diffusing the LED strips might make them basically invisible. Would be a very cool effect at night, probably. Like a night light for when you get up at night for a glass of water.

[@mikebMN]

jonathan_g I was about to comment the same thing and thought I should check to see if anybody else had the same idea. It would help it look a little more finished too. But they sure do look nice and are very simple.

[@GollyGDean]

+1 on the plexiglass, you also won't have to worry about another method of gluing, as the glass will hold it well. although almost anything is better than hot glue.

[@AnsellSteven]

A most beautiful kitchen! Really an amazing job. The method of hanging shelves seems really sturdy and practical.

[@jussttg]

Best way for led strip is to use aluminium track with frosted plastic, it disperse the light and also cools led strip so it works longer, but mostly the design is neater. But man that cinematography.. You spend so much time into video editing that out could be a separate channel! Well done Frank, well done..

[@henrysworkshop7477]

Super video Frank! I'm having the same dilemma about how to fix the shelves to the wall in my kitchen project and I think your way turned out great

[@michaelromanenko]

I'm a big fan of your work! Thank you for sharing!

[@jmacksouthernstyle2739]

I enjoyed watching the entire segment on this build very interesting, like the fact you used the bamboo.

[@francksauvage6444]

Well done Frank. Genius as usual.

[@italiandiesel]

Great video! Always a pleasure to watch.

[@LovelessAndroid]

I like the suggestions here to add plexiglass, but I am thinking you should add frosted plexiglass as a full bottom layer on the shelves. Then you'll have an edge of light on the perimeter of the shelves making for a cool floating effect.

[@frankmakes]

LovelessAndroid I like that.

[@fromstraya]

frank howarth We used white plexi, like a lightbox and it softens the shadows a lot.

[@uhavemooface]

frank howarth Man I wish I were like you dude. I really hate the fact I don't know anything about mounting shelves making cabinets or doing any of the electrical. I do know how to change an outlet but that is easy.

[@patrickmurphy3]

+uhavemooface That's not true. You just watched this KZbin video. Now, you know.

[@patrickmurphy3]

+frank howarth If you get clear plexi, you can use a fine grit sandpaper, or steel wool, to scuff the surface and make it look more frosted for a diffused light. We used to do it all the time for model making at school and it came out really nice.

[@BeeRich33]

Nicely done. I like the end-grain on the bamboo inner layers. And the low sodium SPAM.

[@peterbrownwastaken]

I really like the Bamboo! CA does a good job of holding the LED strips too...

[@phillippettit2138]

Agreed CA excellent stuff

[@jmacksouthernstyle2739]

I enjoyed watching the entire segment on this build very interesting, like the fact you used the bamboo. Hopefully when I redo my kitchen it will be as nice as yours. Great job!

[@RobBurnsDrums]

Wow! Total AHA! moment when I watched you route the groove! I recently made a shelf with decorative grooves along the top that I used a straight edge as a guide for but if I turned the router in the slightest I would gouge the line. If I used a flush trim bit it wouldn't matter, Man! that will be SO much easier in the future, thanks for that! Love your videos for the entertainment value but I always end up learning something as well!

[@GregsGarage]

Never noticed the handles on your drill press before. I like them.

[@tobias4820]

I love your videos! Its relaxing to watch :)

[@albertkelly7129]

Tobias Bojer so true, Franks presentation style is superb

[@frankmakes]

Tobias Bojer Thanks

[@micke1906]

Yeah, his videos are like therapy for me. So relaxing to watch.

[@bearwoodcarpentry]

Thanks Frank, good bedtime story, night,night.

[@SuperJamster1]

As always, I totally enjoyed your video. My hint for finding studs on drywall is to use a rare earth magnet. It will actually attach to the screws. Works better than any stud finder, tapping method I've used.

[@utkanf]

Hey Frank. Thanks for the videos. I suggest using clear silicon over the LED's to hold them better. Not all the way but every 4 inches going cross with silicon. That's what we did when I used to build commercial signs with LED lighting .

[@rickdearmont9950]

Looks great Frank! Thank for the video.

[@RobotRogue]

I love the open shelves! (Way better than cabinets) -- as for the LED strip -- you can either just fill it in with a clear epoxy, or Lee Valley sells rigid LED strip diffusers that can go on top of your LED strip to sort of hold them in. (Search Lee Valley for "LED Channels and Diffusers" and check out their Flush-Mount diffusers...)

[@frankmakes]

Nelson Gill that's what i need, thanks

[@jonathanclark3814]

Another method for finding studs is to use a magnet. It will "stick" to nails/screws holding the drywall in place.(or lathe and plaster depending on the age of your home)

[@delectablemountainshomeste8629]

You are an amazing teacher and video maker!

[@RobBurnsDrums]

Wow! Total AHA! moment with the flush trim bit....I recently made a custom shelf to match our bathroom fixtures and used the router against a straight edge but it was difficult because if I turned the router at all it would gouge the side and I would have to fix it but if I used a flush trim bit it wouldn't matter if i turn the router as long as I keep it against the edge, thank you SO much for this! Sometimes it's the simple things ;-). BTW, love all of your videos, you do amazing work and I learn something every time I watch so thank you!

[@jasonargentieri8954]

love your videos they are incredible. your animation is genius. I really admire your patience.

[@MrTumorHumor]

Best woodworking videos on the web

[@eln74]

Mr. Howarth I was waiting for you to get the lights ON at the end of the video for a compltee view of the project, but everything was awesome, thanks for sharing!!!

[@hackneysaregreat]

As long as Spam fits, its ok... Great job again.

[@MattLaneWoodshop]

Looks great Frank, nice ear protection btw haha!

nice ! It's very cool to follow the build of your kitchen ! thanks !

[@aintgonnahappen]

Beautiful. Part function part art... Love it.

[@kerithforeman6301]

I love your kitchen design!!

[@martinberry574]

They look great Frank.

[@Danman1972]

Great work on the kitchen. Recently found your channel for something else and have enjoyed a lot of your videos. If you have not figured it out yet, you can get a diffuse for the lights that makes them more of a glow as a single strip rather than look like a bunch of bright spots. I'm going to install some of that for my cabinets in the the kitchen for under lighting.

[@94hockeykid]

As much as I love these remodel videos, I'm looking forward to the next bowl video!

[@frankmakes]

94hockeykid so am I, no guarantees - hopefully next week.

[@charleyandsarah]

They look beautiful and you did a wonderful job with the build and video. Apparently your house has a lot less dust than ours lol. Plus our cats would assume all those items as new toys.

[@frankmakes]

Slowvannah Farms I clean up the parts on video, and we have a very lazy cat.

[@charleyandsarah]

Lol thanks for the laugh, Frank.

[@brendenmorley2643]

Awesome production once again.

[@atheistponcho]

A tip for finding studs, use a magnet to find the drywall screws.

[@DanielCooper1]

My wife does this, I think it's genius.

[@Mctrippa83]

I think recessing in a narrow strip of opaque plexiglass the full length of the shelf over the led's would look nice, diffuse the light and hide the cables... just a thought. Another great video.

[@mfennema]

I was going to suggest maybe adding some frosted glass, but I see someone beat me to it already. They look great. I like that bamboo plywood!

[@angelamaro1693]

l think when this project is said and done the wife needs to take you out for a big steak dinner , vacation or fishing trip or something special for all your hard work .looking great. upsman retired California .

[@juergenmweiss]

congratulations to the whole project - you like details - quite impressive....

[@garmir]

Frank, As always nicely done! For the LED part: If you want to mount the LED strip in the underside of the shelve (visible to the eye, I advice you to use some aluminium profile suited for LED strips with a diffused plexi cover. You can route some slots in the shelves to seat the profiles for a flush crisp finish. If you don't see the LED at al (Indirect setup you can mount the LED strip on aluminium flat stock. Why you want to do this? 1st the aluminium will provide the "needed" cooling to the LED, this will reduce the risk of burned out parts in the strip and color fastness. 2nd, The aluminium will provide you a perfect base to stick the LED to. Normally the sticky back should suffice to mount the strip.

[@RobBurnsDrums]

Wow! Total AHA! moment with the flush trim bit....I recently made a custom shelf to match our bathroom fixtures and used the router against a straight edge but it was difficult because if I turned the router at all it would gouge the side and I would have to fix it but if I used a flush trim bit it wouldn't matter if i turn the router as long as I keep it against the edge, thank you SO much for this! Sometimes it's the simple things ;-)

[@Retroweld]

Well done Frank. I love your drill press. Douglas

[@patrickmurphy3]

+RetroWeld I think we sub to a lot of the same people. Great minds, amiright?

[@Retroweld]

Yeah, Great minds think alike! ;)

[@xunilpenguin]

1.5" Bamboo Ply .. wowsa! I need to look for some of that. BTW, you should certainly keep the Spam and the tea kettle on the shelf. I feel that just 'adds' to the look. OH! and a strip of aluminum for the lights to adhere to helps a bunch.

[@douglasbaker9663]

I'm actually planning on doing something similar in my bedroom, on a recessed wall. Nice to watch this to remind me what needs to be done!

[@sidwiavh7472]

Nice shelves. What you could do with the lights is put them a bit deeper and cut the sides with a 45 degree router bit, so the groove looks like an upside down helvetica V. Then make the groove wider on the V-tips so you have space for "foggy glass". That way you can defuse the light and hide the cables.

[@almcdougall1826]

Beautiful as always. As I'm sure someone else has commented some type of diffusion over the LED will make a huge difference to the quality of the light.

[@kplante7881]

Nice touch of class... Thanks for sharing.

[@rottenluck]

Great job. I use 3M VHB tape on my LED strips and they never fall down. Just clean the cheap tape off really good first.

[@Estebancillo44]

I work with that kind of led strips all the time and have discovered that the OEM glue sucks. When possible I attach the strips with wide staples(enough to clear the strip) or contact cement. Hot glue sometimes fail, not right the way, but with time. Nice work

[@frankmakes]

Esteban I. Gutiérrez Cruz i wondered about using staples

[@MartinHjers]

Greetings from Sweden! I just love your attention to detail! My OCD is satisfied every time watching your videos. Haha. Keep up the good work! :)

[@keldsor]

Hi Frank ! Really nice and nifty idea ... how about finishing it with some white acrylic/plastic to cover the LED-strips and soften the light ... and - I believe - the shadows ? BTW ... it always a hard one to get so many studs to fit - I do most in metal and here it's very hard - with wood you are a little better off. I love that bamboo plywood you use for the project ... wonder if I can get it here in Denmark.

[@cristofacar]

... pins are a good way to float a shelf. Where I have used them (going way back) the walls were generally granite. For the 'wiggle room' you mention I sank the pins tight into the shelf, drilled the wall holes about 2mm oversize and set the pins in car body filler - that worked just fine.

[@kourtmooney5387]

Amazing job, I always love your videos

[@rudolfzaris675]

This type of shelves are great. I already made several of them in our house. the bad part of it is cleaning the dust out of them every week :-( As you routed the slot for the led lights you can buy an aluminium thin strip with plexiglass cover which is made for this purpose and the led light strip glue in to it and all the assembly put in to the routed slot in the shelf so it will be in a one height with the bottom of the shelf. Hope you got the point .:-)

[@InLakechAlaKin23]

Just a thought; when I look for a stud, I use a needle held by pliers to hammer through the drywall, pull the needle back out when you feel the wood or empty space. It makes little to no damage and you can always find the size of the stud to an almost exact measure.

[@_RadioMadeEasy]

Been following your remodel and was glad to see this portion. We're gonna try ripping out upper cabinets and doing open shelving in our kitchen soon. Really like the idea of not having visible brackets. Would you do the steel pins again if you could do it over again, or some other method for attaching the shelves?

[@DannyRaymond667]

i find a really easy way to find a stud, with drywall is to use a magnet to find the screws. garenteed stud every time

[@bertv1205]

Nice design! A tip: a polycarbonate diffuser would probably improve the lighting and also hide the strips and wiring from view.

[@onionmonster8795]

You are the man Frank!!

[@walterrider1612]

looking good Frank thank you

[@yoelbrull]

hi frank very nice job on those just a few tips from my experience i normally use epoxy for those tape lights im very happy with that also make sure you spend the extra buck and buy the brand or the tape light because the cheep stuff tend to short out after a few months and because they are a continuation they will shut off every light after that and you will be busy changing them out

[@Bonaventure_Amplo]

your shop is amazing.

[@CodeMasterRapture]

Hey Frank. if you take a plexiglass rod and cut it down the middle lengthwise, you will have 2 pieces of LED diffuser which will eliminate shadows. It will spread the light more evenly. The trick is to sand and polish the flat-side (where the LEDs touch) and then sand the curved side so it looks "milky" or non-clear. Give it a shot. it'll also hide the LED strips/wiring better.

[@jm_mort]

I think I would've opted for the LEDs to be an uplight rather than a downlight but I love the kitchen, it looks amazing. You'vedonea fantastic job :)

[@BobBlarneystone]

A few years back when I added on to my house, after all the wiring, plumbing, & heat ducts were in place but before the drywall was hung, I determined a reference point for each wall. Then I stretched a tape measure along the wall and videoed along the length of the tape measure so that I know where every thing is inside the wall. It's been very useful several times, such as when the drywallers forgot to cut out for a couple of receptacle boxes - it would not have been fun to tear into the freshly hung wall.

[@HovingtonInstruments]

They look great, Would it be at all possible to add a grove at one end to slide in a piece of frosted glass to diffuse the light and hide the wires at the same time? Just curious for personal future project...

[@TomAllenBird]

Genius! Cutting the metal tubing in a miter box. Where was this video last week when I needed it?