How I Gave My Wire Shelves a Custom Look with DIY Shelf Covers

Paint the wood first

Cut your plywood (A and B) and trim (C and D) to rough size, paint everything, and allow it to dry completely before moving on. It is much easier to paint before assembly than after. I recommend using 1/2-in. plywood for all shelves on wire shelving units because it’s lightweight, plenty solid, and gives you plenty of edge thickness to nail into.

Cut the plywood shelves

Cut the plywood for the top shelf (A) to the outside dimensions of the wire shelf, both length and width. Then, cut the plywood for any lower shelves (B) underneath to the inside dimensions of the thicker gauge wire that protrudes slightly above the rest of the wire around the edges of the shelves.

Notch the corners

On the lower shelves (B), use a Forstner bit to notch the corners where the upright pipes will be. Lay the lower shelves (B) on top of the top wire shelf and use a pencil to mark exactly where the shelf meets the upright pipes. Use a Forstner bit with a slightly larger diameter than the pipe to drill these. We used a 7/8-in. Forstner bit for the 3/4-in. upright pipes of our shelf.

For accurate placement, find the center of your pipe pencil marks and lightly tap the Forstner bit with a rubber mallet to create a dimple in the wood, then use a nail set to further punch the center point. This prevents the bit from skipping across the wood when you start drilling. Then square up the notches’ corners with a jigsaw or pull saw, and sand to clean up.

Add trim to the top shelf

Use a miter saw to cut 1×2 mitered trim (C and D) to wrap all the way around the top shelf. Attach the trim with wood glue, flushing the top edge of the trim to the top of the plywood, and nail through it with 1-1/2-in. 18-gauge brad nails. Don’t be afraid to hide a couple of brad nails in the corners to help keep the miters tight if needed.

Test fit and touch up

Test-fit each shelf to ensure they fit properly and make any necessary adjustments. When satisfied, pull them off, fill the nail holes, sand back the wood filler, and touch up the paint on the edges and notched corners. Give everything ample time to dry before moving on.

Secure the shelves

When the touch-up paint is dry, secure the wood shelves to the wire shelves using small wire shelf clips and 1/2-in. screws screwed from the underside of each shelf (A and B). Place them at the first cross wire near each side and approximately every 12-in. down the length of the shelf for longer shelves. This prevents the shelves from moving or rattling when placing heavier items on them.

Adapting for wall-mounted wire shelves

The process for wall-mounted wire shelves is nearly the same, with a few differences:

• Cut the 1/2-in. plywood to the actual depth of the shelf from the wall. Ours was 11-1/2-in. deep. There are no corner notches needed since wall-\mounted shelves don’t have upright poles.
• Instead of mitered trim all the way around, cut only a single piece of 1×2 face trim to the same length as the shelf and attach it to the front edge with wood glue and 1-1/2-in. 18-gauge brad nails, making the top edge flush with the top of the plywood.
• When securing with wire shelf clips, attach them to both the underside of the plywood shelf and the back of the 1×2 face trim to keep it from sliding forward over time.

FAQ

What kind of paint or sealer should I use for wood wire rack shelf covers?

You want a durable and easy-to-clean finish for your wood shelf covers.  Your best options are a cabinet-grade enamel – easy to wipe down and live up to high traffic areas.  If you want a clear finish over a stain or natural wood, use an oil-based polyurethane finish. Both options will look good and last long.

Where can I purchase wooden shelf covers for wire shelving?

Wood shelf covers for wire shelving can be purchased already made online (Amazon) or big box retailers.

What materials make good shelf covers?

To cover wire shelves, you want a rigid and water-resistant material.  Wood that has been properly painted or sealed will work well. Acrylic glass is another good option when covering wire shelves.

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