If you don’t have the space to add an ornate coffee table to your living room, a shelving unit to your home office or a console table to your hallway, this might be your smartest alternative. It’s a “phantom table,” which essentially consists of a floating shelf that rests above “table legs” that have been drawn and painted onto the wall. The project comes from “Home Made Simple” designer Didiayer Snyder and really only takes about an hour to complete. 

Materials:

Floating shelf

Electric screw gun or hand screwdriver

Level

Semi-gloss paint

Paint brush

Pencil

Masking Tape

Steps:

1. Position the floating shelf on the wall where you would like it to be. Use a level to keep it horizontal, and trace the bottom edge of the shelf on the wall with a pencil.  Set the floating shelf aside.

2. Begin drawing the table design on the wall with a pencil, using the shelf line as reference to the top of the table. If you have a steady hand, you can try free handing a table design. If not, use the below template to get you started. TIP: If you have access to an overhead projector (borrow one from your local library or school), make a transparency copy of the template below and transfer the image onto the wall. This will allow you to comfortably trace a perfect design.

3. Once you have the entire table design drawn out on the wall in pencil, begin painting inside the lines with your chosen color of semi-gloss.  Use a small paint brush for the outlines and fill in with a larger brush. TIP: Have a clean damp cloth handy in case you mess up. Just carefully wipe away your mistake as soon as possible while the paint is still wet.

4. Repaint over your design if you feel you need additional coats.

5. Once your paint is dry, install the floating shelf along the predetermined line according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use a level once more to ensure a horizontal plane.

Template: