DIY: How to Make Backyard Hanging Shelves

If you are anything like me, you don’t bat an eye at adorning your inner walls with brilliant accessories. Why does your weapon stay a blank slate? Take advantage of the vertical distance your fence supplies by enhancing it with potted plants. This very simple DIY hanging shelf adds visual interest and color to your outdoor area without taking up prime real estate.

Meg Padgett

These dangling shelves can easily be dressed up with colorful pots or even a bright coat of paint. For the finishing touch, add lawn chairs and a side table to make a festive sitting space.

Meg Padgett

Materials:
1-inch x 6-inch whiteboard (sufficient to cut 2 24-inch-long boards)measuring tapecircular saw or hand sawjigsaw and electric drill7/16-inch drill bit(4) #8 zinc-plated screw eyes3/8-inch manila ropeweatherproofing wood stain and brush(6) 4 1/2-inch pots with lip6 flowering plants

Meg Padgett

Start by measuring the distance between each vertical post in one part of your fencing. The total length can allow you to decide the dimensions for the size and placement of the two hanging shelves.

Our distance from post to post was 78 1/2 inches, therefore I opted to make two 2-foot-long dangling shelves and mount them onto the horizontal brace. Hanging in the brace provides appropriate support and sufficient clearance for the dangling shelves to lie flush against the weapon, also helps to ensure that the screw eyes won’t poke to a neighbor’s side of the fence line.

For placement of the shelves, measure and mark on the horizontal brace 12 inches from every post, then 24 inches out of that mark. Repeat the process from the next post. In my case, this left 6 1/2 inches between each shelf.

Meg Padgett

For placement of the four screw eyes, measure and mark 1 inch from each of the preceding four dimensions and one inch from the top of this horizontal brace.

TIP: Standard measuring tapes are 1 inch broad, making this measurement simple.

Meg Padgett

Twist the zinc-plated screw eyes to the horizontal brace by hand or using pliers. If needed, predrill holes.

Meg Padgett

Next, I rummaged through my scrap timber pile and found a wonderful piece of whiteboard. I cut the whiteboard to two 24-inch-long boards using a circular saw. Cedar, that will last longer, are a fantastic substitute for the whiteboard. Lacking a circular saw? A hand saw requires a bit more effort, but works just as well.

Once the boards are cut to length, draw a centre line down the length of the board. I put each pot along the center line and made marks at 4 inches, 12 inches and 20 inches. I chose this placement to permit sufficient space for each plant to grow and sufficient distance on each end for the rope to be attached.

Meg Padgett

Assess the circumference of each pot beneath the lip. This measurement will aid you in calculating the diameter, that’s the circumference divided by 3.14. My pots were 4 inches in diameter.

Meg Padgett

Having a diameter of 4 inches, then measure and mark 2 inches to the left, right, top and bottom of your centre points (4 inches, 12 inches and 20 inches.) This will provide you with mark to make a round template.

Meg Padgett

Use a circular object to assist you join your mark. I didn’t possess a 4-inch-diameter object, but employing a round coffee mug to join two things at a time got the work done.

Meg Padgett

To determine rope placement, use your drill plus a 7/16 inch drill bit. Drill a hole on the center line 1 inch in the right and left sides of the board.

Then drill a hole onto the interior of the ring as close to your outline as you possibly can. This will give an entry point for the decoration.

Meg Padgett

Starting from the predrilled hole, cut each circle using a jigsaw.

Meg Padgett

It’s not necessary to measure everything another time. Use the first board for a template for your next shelf.

Meg Padgett

To protect your shelf out of the components and to bring a rich color to the whiteboard, use two coats of weatherproofing blot.

Meg Padgett

While the blot is drying, finish preparing the dangling portion of this undertaking. Hold the rope through the screw eye and knot it at the top. I utilized manila rope, but you could use sisal or any other type of organic rope.

Next, assess the length in the screw eye on the other end of this rope. I hung the first shelf at 12 inches and the second at 18 inches to keep them close to eye level.

Insert about 5 inches to the length for tying the knot and cut off from the coil of rope; replicate for each of the screw eyes.

Meg Padgett

Following the stain is dry, then slip the base end of the rope through the shelf.

Tip: Wrap duct tape around the end to make it easy to pull through. It’s not necessary to remove it — every end is going to probably be trimmed off.

Meg Padgett

Together with the measuring tape as a guide, transfer the plate into your desired height.

Meg Padgett

Tie a knot on the bottom of the shelf and cut off some excess rope, leaving 1 inch so you can remove it easily if needed.

Meg Padgett

Transfer the plants out of their temporary plastic pots to the ceramic pots and set the pots into every shelf.

Meg Padgett

Choose flowering plants in precisely the exact same hue to offset the multicolored pots. Here, I’ve selected sunny yellow Tickseed Sunflower and Goldilocks Rocks.

Take into account the quantity of sun or shade your selected area gets and choose plants suitable for each.

Meg Padgett

Having difficulty finding colorful pots? Purchase inexpensive clay or ceramic pots and spray paint them like I did. Or stick with neutrals if this works better for your yard.

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Spruce Up Your House With 50 DIY Projects

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