How to Build a Wooden DIY Tiered Organizer Shelf

Learn how to build a versatile wooden DIY tiered organizer shelf with this step-by-step tutorial and build plans. It is perfect for the kitchen, bathroom, or office.

DIY Wooden Tiered Organizer

It is verstaile and has a simple modern design that adds a nice touch to any space.

It is also very easy to build and uses mostly 1×2 boards and a couple of common woodworking tools – a saw to make the cuts and a nail gun or power drill to join. You could possibly make this out of existing scrap wood, too!

I highly recommend a miter saw because it easily cuts accurately. The project also has an angled cut, which is a lot easier to make with a miter saw.

I have you covered with the build plans, video, and a step-by-step tutorial.

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How to Build

Step 1: Prepare the Boards

• Using a miter saw, make the cuts as listed in the plans. See how to make accurate cuts with a miter saw.
• Using a random orbital sander, sand the boards to remove any roughness using a progression of various grits. The final grit will depend on whether you are staining or painting the project. See how to sand wood and all about sandpaper grits here.

I am using pine for this project. You can use any wood. Pine is relatively inexpensive and is great for starter projects. However, it is soft and can be dented easily.

If you are looking for a durable project, I recommend using a hardwood like walnut, oak, or maple – depending on the final look you are going for.

Step 2: Build the Shelves

• Attach the short 1×2 boards to the ends of the respective boards using wood glue and finish nails.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a nail gun, you can also use a power drill and countersunk trim-head screws.

• Attach the longer 1×2 boards to the front and back to complete the shelves.

If you need help keeping the boards aligned, I recommend using a few clamps to help.

Repeat the above for all three boards. This makes three shelves.

Step 3: Create a Template

The trays are evenly spaced, and the best way to make sure they are attached at the right spacing is to create a template using masking tape on the floor or table.

• Measure and mark 6″ spacing and apply the masking tape.
• Align the shelves to the masking tape.

Step 4: Attach the Legs

• Align the 1×2 leg with the shelves and attach using wood glue and finish nails to form the back leg. 

• Attach the front leg (with the ends cut at an angle) to the front of the shelves.

That is it! The shelf is ready!

Step 5 – Final Finish

• Fill all visible nail holes with wood filler. I like this wood filler, which is stainable and works well.
• Paint or stain in the color of your choice. I used American Walnut stain for my shelf.
• Apply a good quality top coat. This one is my favorite. I apply three coats of top coat with light sanding using ultra-fine grit and wiping off the dust between each coat.

Related: How to stain wood for the best results.

And done!

It is a simple and quick project. It took me about 3 hours to build this, but I was taking pictures and filming the whole way, which usually makes projects a lot longer. I bet you can quickly build this in under an hour.

It has many uses. It can be used in the kitchen as a coffee station.

Or to organize office supplies.

I am actually currently using it in my bathroom.

Where will you use it?

If you build it, I would love to see it! Feel free to email photos to me at anika@anikasdiylife.com or tag me on Instagram @anikasdiylife for a chance to be featured on social media! I can’t wait to see what you build!

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