The way the morning light hits my new shelves is by far my favorite view today. We built a sculptural wall feature as a moment for my home gallery and also as a display for the objects I collect and make.

If you’re craving a design that feels custom, with soft sculptural elements, then this is your guide. This DIY project is approachable, beginner-friendly, and easy to customize. I made the mistakes so you wouldn’t have to. You’re absolutely welcome! 😊

What We Used

Tip: If you’re not planning to plaster the shelves with joint compound, opt for a solid wood board instead of MDF for easier drilling.

The Build

We sketched out 10 shelves in varying lengths and curves, inspired by some of my favorite sculptural shelving moments. To make clean, repeatable shapes, we created a cardboard template — traced, then cut everything using a jigsaw.

We drilled into each shelf to install floating brackets. This was by far the hardest part — MDF splinters easily when too thin. I highly recommend at least a 1-inch-thick real wood board.

Once mounted, we layered joint compound over the MDF to give it that seamless, plaster-like feel. Each layer was applied thinly, with a 24-hour dry time in between.

Once the compound dried fully, we sanded everything smooth (start with 120 grit, finish with 220). Then we painted the shelves in Alabaster White by Sherwin Williams to match the wall. A final coat of clear matte sealant (Varathane).

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Tips You Must Read Before Building Your Own

• Use 1-inch thick wood if skipping compound. MDF isn’t worth the pain.
• Looking for a cheaper option than real wood? Try plywood panels that are at least 3/4″ thick — more durable than MDF but still budget-friendly.
• If you’re using MDF:
  • Predrill very slowly
  • Use a 1-inch panel minimum
  • Apply painter’s tape before drilling to reduce splintering
• Don’t skip the dry time — 24 hrs between compound layers is key.
• Only sand if you want a smooth finish. For textured walls, consider adding more texture using:
  • A baking soda + paint mix
  • Textured wall spray (available at Home Depot)
• Match your wall paint or go bold with contrast — either works beautiful

Looking for More Shelf Inspo?

If you’re planning your own version, we’ve saved a few shelf styles on Pinterest — Linked. Different finishes, depths, and styles.

If you try this build, share it on our community forum or tag us [@casadee.co] — we’d love to see your take!