23 November 2023

How To Make Hanging Rope Shelves

Making a hanging rope shelf can be a fun, inexpensive and unique way to display your green life. Whether you opt for a simple single shelf or a stacked arrangement, you can hang it from the ceiling or wall, we have the steps for you.

DIY Project Steps

1. Mark and cut the boards

Mark and cut your boards to the desired shelf size. Keep it neat and tidy.

We’ve gone with 190 x 19 pine at 600mm long, but you can go with any timber and size that suits your fancy! You can use different lengths and timber sizes to create the shelves that you want for any desired space.

2. Mark position for holes

Take your time and measure and mark where you'll drill the holes for the rope. Don't forget to repeat the process on each board, ensuring each corner gets the perfect placement. Keeping it consistent for even and level shelves.

3. Drill holes

Now to create some holes. Grab your drill and the right-sized drill bit, one just a tad bigger than your rope. Position the drill bit on the marked dots on the board and drill through each one, gently drill all the way through the board.

4. Thread the rope

Rope time! Grab two pieces of rope, both the same length and use whatever type of rope you like. How high you want your shelves will determine the length. For example, we've gone with two 3-metre pieces. Take the first piece of rope and pass it through one corner of each board, making sure it's the corresponding corner to align the shelves. With the same piece of rope, thread it through the other corner on the same end of the shelves, forming a "U" shaped loop through the boards. Repeat this process on the other end.

5. Tie four knots

At each end of the rope, tie a knot at the bottom. Aim for symmetry to keep the bottom shelf as level and even as possible. Don't worry if it's not perfect on the first try, you can always undo and retie until it's just right.

6. Insert dowel pieces

Decide on the height you want for your shelves. Carefully measure and insert a piece of dowel at that height in each corner of the shelves. This will secure the top shelves in place. Like with the knots, if the shelves aren't perfectly level on the first try, no worries! You can easily take out the dowel and adjust its position in the rope until it's just right.