Is it Cheaper to Buy Shelves or Make Them? A Practical Guide
Shelves aren’t just planks stuck on a wall—they’re the backbone of every organized room. But is it easier on your wallet to head straight to IKEA, or get out the drill and build your own? The truth is, it depends on what you want, what you already have at home, and how much of a perfectionist you are about the way things look.
If you’ve ever compared prices, you know basic store-bought shelves can be cheap, especially if you catch a sale. But, if you’re dreaming of custom-sized shelves or want something sturdy enough to hold your DIY speaker collection (not judging), building your own starts to sound tempting. Before you grab the power tools, though, think about the hidden costs—like the kind of wood, screws, finishing supplies, and those trips you’ll inevitably make back to the hardware store for that one thing you forgot.
I’ve done both: bought pre-made shelves and made a few from scratch. Sometimes, making your own is the best call if you’re picky or your space is oddly shaped. Other times, buying saves loads of hassle, especially if you don’t own many tools already. Let’s break down the true costs and see which route really gives you more bang for your buck.
- Comparing Shelf Prices: Store-Bought vs. DIY
- Hidden Costs Most People Miss
- Time, Tools, and Skill Level—What to Expect
- When DIY Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)
- Easy Ways to Save on Any Shelving Project
Comparing Shelf Prices: Store-Bought vs. DIY
If you've ever stood in a big box store, scratching your head at shelf prices, you know there's a crazy range. You can grab a simple floating shelf for about $20, but the fancy ones easily hit $100 or more. It mostly comes down to the size, material, and brand hype. But hey, what if you try making the same thing at home?
Let's stack up the numbers side by side. The real costs aren't just about the shelves—tools, materials, and maybe even a few mistakes all play a part. Check out this breakdown for a standard 36-inch wall shelf, nothing too fancy, just practical:
| Item | Store-Bought Shelf | DIY Shelf |
|---|---|---|
| Cost (basic wood & MDF) | $20 - $40 | $15 - $25 (materials) |
| Cost (solid wood) | $50 - $120 | $30 - $50 (materials) |
| Extra Hardware (brackets, screws) | Included | $8 - $15 |
| Paint/Stain | Included/Finished | $7 - $15 |
| Tools (if you rent or buy) | Not needed | $0 - $40+ |
With store shelves, what you see is what you get—a set cost, usually with basic hardware and instructions. You just pay, install, and move on. For DIY shelves, it can be cheaper if you already have tools and use basic pine or MDF (that’s the stuff you see in most budget shelves). But if you want real hardwood or need a special finish, the bill can add up fast.
One thing no one tells you: pre-made shelves sometimes come with junky brackets. If you want reliability, you might end up buying better hardware anyway. On the flip side, making your own lets you pick everything—wood, finish, brackets—but that stuff is never truly "cheap," especially if you go for quality.
Bottom line? For a single, basic shelving project, DIY wins if you've already got paint and tools lying around. But if you're starting from scratch, or need more than one shelf, store-bought can be just as affordable with way less hassle.
Hidden Costs Most People Miss
It’s easy to look up prices for a stack of lumber or a boxy shelving unit online, but there’s way more to the story. When you start a shelf project from scratch, the expenses add up fast—and not just the price of wood. Even with shelving kits, you'll hit costs that don’t show up on the tag.
- Finishing Materials: Paint, stain, primer, and varnish aren’t included with plain boards. A can of decent paint or stain can run from $15 to $30. Brushes, rollers, or rags? Another $5 to $15.
- Fasteners and Hardware: Screws, anchors, brackets, or shelf pins don't always come with a shelf kit. Quality brackets can easily cost $4 to $12 each. Multiply that by how many shelves you want to hang.
- Tool Rentals or Purchases: If you don’t already have a drill, saw, level, or stud finder, renting or buying adds up quick. Renting a power saw is often $25 a day. Buying a basic power drill? Think $40 and up.
- Delivery or Transport: Big boards don’t fit in your hatchback. Delivery from a hardware store can add $50 or more, even for short distances. Or, you might need to rent a truck.
- Mistakes and Redos: Maybe you measured wrong, cut something too short, or just didn’t like the final result. Plan to spend extra on “do-over” materials—there’s rarely zero waste.
And if you’re going the store-bought route, there are usually hidden assembly costs, too. Think extra bolts, wall anchors, or safety straps, especially for heavy shelves or if you have rowdy pets (mine, Jasper, is always getting into things he shouldn’t!).
| Item | DIY Shelves | Store-Bought |
|---|---|---|
| Paint/Stain | $20 | $10 |
| Hardware | $25 | $15 |
| Tool Rental | $30 | $0 |
| Delivery / Transport | $35 | $30 |
| Mistake/Redo Materials | $15 | $5 |
The stuff above is easy to overlook, but it’s usually what flips a “cheap” project into a pricy surprise. Double-check your own list before you start, so you’re not caught pulling out your wallet a dozen times.
Time, Tools, and Skill Level—What to Expect
Building shelves isn’t just hammering some wood together. Before you commit, look at what it really takes in time, tools, and skill. If you’re a weekend DIY warrior or just starting out, there’s a big difference between putting together a store-bought kit and actually building a shelf from scratch.
Let’s talk time first. Simple wall shelves can take an afternoon or less if you already have everything handy. But for bigger setups—think floating shelves or built-ins—you could spend a whole weekend or two. And that’s only if you get things right on the first try (spoiler alert: hardly anyone does).
Now for tools. At a minimum, you’ll need:
- Tape measure
- Power drill
- Level
- Saw (circular or hand saw works)
- Sandpaper or a sander
- Screws, brackets, anchors
If you want shelves that actually look nice, paint or wood stain is a good idea, which means extra brushes, rags, and patience. Not all of this comes cheap, especially if you’re starting from zero.
You don’t have to be a pro carpenter, but some skills matter. You should measure straight, use basic power tools, and know how to find studs in the wall. Youtube is packed with shelf-building demos, so a quick tutorial can help, but your first shelf probably won’t look like something out of a design magazine. Still, if you’re detail-oriented and willing to work through mistakes, it’s doable.
Here’s a look at typical time and skill differences for store-bought vs DIY shelf projects:
| Type | Average Time | Main Skills Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Store-Bought Kit | 30-60 mins | Basic assembly |
| Simple DIY Shelf | 2-4 hours | Measuring, cutting, drilling |
| Floating or Custom Built-in | 6-12 hours (sometimes more) | Advanced measuring, cutting, wall mounting |
For folks working full-time, the real question is: is your weekend worth saving some cash? Or would you rather pay a little extra for the shelving kit and have time for something else—like tossing a tennis ball for Jasper, my golden retriever, who thinks every DIY project is secretly for him.
When DIY Makes Sense (And When It Doesn't)
Building your own shelves sounds like a Pinterest dream, but it’s not always the smartest way to go. So, when should you actually grab your tools and when is it better to just buy?
Shelving makes the most sense as a DIY project when you have a weird space (think sloped ceilings or that odd corner in the garage) where store-bought stuff just won’t fit. Custom lengths or depths almost always mean DIY because you can make exactly what you need, right down to the last inch. If you need heavy-duty shelves—maybe you’re storing books, paint cans, or even aquarium tanks—commercial budget options sometimes don’t cut it. Making your own lets you choose stronger materials like thick plywood, pine, or even metal brackets rated for real weight.
- You already have basic tools (drill, level, saw), saving rental or buying costs.
- You want to control the look, finishes, and quality—store shelves are often MDF or particleboard, which can sag over time, while solid wood lasts longer.
- You’re willing to put in the hours—simple wall shelves can be done in an afternoon, but something fancy or big can take a weekend (or more).
On the flip side, DIY is not always the money-saver it seems. If you just need basic storage or you’re not picky on style, store-bought shelves win for speed and sometimes even price—especially with fast assembly and when you factor in your time. Plus, if you don’t have tools or much experience working with wood, you might end up frustrated or with a wobbly result (yes, it happens—even to folks with the best YouTube tutorials).
Here’s a quick comparison to give you a feel for when DIY or buying works out better:
| Scenario | DIY Advantages | Buying Advantages |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Fit or Odd Spaces | Perfect sizing, matches needs exactly | Rarely available or expensive |
| Heavy-Duty Needs | Pick strong wood, reinforce brackets | Limited weight rating in budget versions |
| Basic Storage (Quick Fix) | Often overkill, more work | Cheap and easy—ready in hours |
| Budget Crunch | Can use scrap or reclaimed wood | Flat-pack shelves sometimes less than wood price |
| No Tools or Experience | Steep learning curve, possible mistakes | Predictable results, quick setup |
If money is tight and you want true custom size or sturdiness, DIY can beat store prices—especially if you can get materials cheap or free (old pallets, anyone?). But if you care about speed, reliability, or don’t have the right gear, grabbing a ready-made shelf just makes life easier. Sometimes, it’s all about choosing your battles (plus your golden retriever probably won’t judge your shelves either way).
Easy Ways to Save on Any Shelving Project
Don’t let sticker shock scare you off—there are plenty of smart tricks to cut costs whether you’re buying shelves or building your own. The first step is to get realistic about your must-haves versus your nice-to-haves. Custom wood? Looks amazing, but plywood or MDF will hold your stuff just fine and is way cheaper per foot. Second-hand stores are full of deals—old bookshelves, cast-off planks, even whole wall units are up for grabs, and a quick paint job can make them look brand new.
Here’s where bulk buying comes in handy. If you’re building your own, grab a sheet of plywood instead of small boards. A single four-by-eight sheet (which runs from $30 to $50 at most big hardware stores) can make a whole wall of shelves if you plan your cuts smartly. For brackets or hardware, multi-packs beat buying singles every time. Retailers mark up little pieces a lot higher than you’d think.
- Look for shelf kits on sale—January and August usually have the lowest prices because stores reset after holiday and back-to-school rushes.
- For free lumber, check Facebook Marketplace or curbside piles right after big move-out days—college towns especially are goldmines.
- Reuse what you already have. A coat of paint or peel-and-stick wallpaper (around $10 per roll) can make tired shelves look fresh in a few minutes.
- If you don’t own tools, borrow them instead of buying—many hardware stores offer free or cheap rentals, and some public libraries even have tool-lending programs now.
- Get basic—skip fancy shelf brackets and use simple metal L-brackets. You’ll spend a third of the cost, and they’re just as sturdy if you anchor them well.
Here’s a quick price comparison table, just to give you a sense of what you might actually spend on a shelving project if you use these tricks:
| Option | Estimated Cost (per shelf, 3ft) | Savings Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Store-bought basic shelf | $20–$40 | Buy out of season, check local classifieds |
| DIY from new lumber | $12–$25 | Use plywood, buy hardware in bulk |
| Refurbished or secondhand shelf | $0–$15 | Paint or cover to freshen up |
Keep an eye out for little extras that rack up fast—wood finish, wall anchors, or delivery fees add up. If you’re not careful, your “cheap” shelf could cost more than a ready-made one. The best advice? Start simple, see what works, and upgrade when you need to. Your wallet (and probably your stress level) will thank you.