DIY LEGO Display Shelves

Need a way to display LEGO creations? These DIY LEGO display shelves are easy to make, cost effective and can be customized with different colored bases and shelf size.

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As part of my son’s recent science and engineering room makeover, he asked for a way to display his LEGO creations. I started researching what was available and found that there wasn’t much that was on the smaller side. And those that I did find were more expensive than I was comfortable paying. I was inspired to create these DIY LEGO display shelves using acrylic shelves and adhesive backed base plates.

My son has absolutely loved having them up in his room. Before putting these shelves up, my son’s builds were on a shelf and within easy reach of little hands (aka his 4 year old brother). Not only that, but he wasn’t really able to see them because of how crowded together they all were. These DIY LEGO display shelves have been the perfect solution! It was so cost effective and easy to customize to my son’s color and size requests. Now my other kids are asking for some for their own rooms!

Read through the tutorial below for tips to help you successfully make your own DIY LEGO display shelves!

Supplies Needed

• L-shaped acrylic shelves (we used clear but I have also seen black and white)
  • 9-inch shelves (pack of 4)
  • 4-inch shelves (pack of 8)
• Adhesive backed base plates, compatible with LEGO brand pieces and similar
• Utility knife
• Ruler
• Fine tip marker
• Cardboard or cutting mat

How to Make DIY LEGO Display Shelves

Step 1

Get out a piece of thicker cardboard (a packing box not a cereal box) and lay it down where you will be working. This is to protect your surface in case your utility knife goes off the end of the base plate.

Step 2

Decide which direction you are going to hang your shelf.

*NOTE* We decided to have the shorter part of the shelf where the screws go in be on the bottom, so the rest of the instructions will show that. If you decide to do it the other direction, you can still follow the steps.

Step 3

Lay the acrylic shelf down and hold the base plate next to it on the top side so they are flat against the cardboard. (see the picture below)

Step 4

Make a mark with your fine tip marker on the edge where it will need to be cut. You will need to use one of the existing corners and make a mark on the front and side. I wanted a little bit of overhang which worked out well because it was in between the raised part of the base plate. You aren’t going to be able to get a smooth line if you try to cut through any part of the base plate besides the flat part, which is also the thinnest.

Step 5

Get your ruler and use it to find where the lines will intersect, then make a dot. Once you are done with this step, you should have three marks on your base plate: one on the front, one of the side and a dot where they will intersect.

*NOTE* I don’t recommend using your marker to draw a line on top of the base plate unless you aren’t concerned about it being seen. I wanted the shelves to look at nice as possible so I avoided any extra marks.

Step 6

Line up your ruler and press it down firmly to hold it in place. Use your utility knife to make a light score in the plastic of the base plate. Repeat this step, pressing a little harder with the knife to make the cut deeper.

Step 7

You will know the cut is deep enough when you are able to bend the base plate along the crease without it cracking. I found that it helps to make a cut on the edge all the way through the base plate.

Step 8

Once you bend the base plate along the cut line you made, turn it over and fold it completely. Because of the adhesive on the back, it won’t separate. This step it just to make sure that you are all the way through the plastic.

Step 9

Keeping your base plate on top of your cardboard or cutting mat, use your utility knife to slice through the foam adhesive. If it snags, it could be that 1) your plastic isn’t cut all the way through, 2) your utility knife is dull and needs a new blade, or 3) the backing on the adhesive separated a little and got stuck.

Step 10

Repeat steps 6-9 for additional cuts that need to be made so your base plate will fit your acrylic shelf.

Step 11

To adhere the base plate to the acrylic shelf, place your shelf on your cardboard or cutting mat like you did in step 3. Check that your base plate is going to fit correctly (keep the backing on for this part).

Step 12

Remove the backing from the adhesive and line up the base plate at the bottom of the shelf. (see the picture below)

Step 13

Slowly bring the adhesive up towards the shelf, working from the bottom up.

Step 14

Flip the shelf upside down and press firmly to make sure the adhesive is in contact with the shelf.

Step 15

Hang your new LEGO display shelf up according the instructions that came with your acrylic shelves. Be sure to note how much weight each shelf can hold and take that into consideration when deciding what to put on it.

Step 16

Place your LEGO creations up on your new LEGO display shelves!

[Benny the Astronaut LEGO Spaceship SVG]

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