Transform your home office with a stylish DIY slat wall and moveable shelves! Learn how to create functional, customizable vertical storage with a touch of humour and plenty of personality.
I was in charge of giving my boss’s office an update. We’re talking a fresh coat of paint, a bit of organization and a feature wall to give prospective clients something to look at besides a giant expanse of blue.
So what did I do? I made a DIY slat wall with moveable shelves. Because when chaos calls, I answer with power tools and questionable confidence.
What’s a Slat Wall?
Let’s get one thing straight: a slat wall isn’t just something you see in overpriced minimalist coffee shops. It’s the superhero of vertical space. Picture a series of horizontal wood slats attached to a wall, ready to support shelves, hooks, baskets, or your deepest hopes and dreams (if they weigh under 15 lbs).
Why a slat wall?
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It’s customizable.
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It turns a boring wall into a functional masterpiece.
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Did I mention moveable shelves? It’s like LEGO for grown-ups with a Pinterest board.
- and if you have an expanse of wall like this, 11′ x 8′ of bare blue, then you NEED something to ramp up the style
Supplies You’ll Need (and Excuses You’ll Tell Yourself)
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1×2 or 1×3 boards (if you are a glutton for punishment – like me – then you can rip down MDF yourself into 1 1/2″ strips)
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Level
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Drill and screws
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Wall anchors (for that sweet, sweet stability)
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Paint or stain (because aesthetics matter)
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Shelves (aka: future homes for your random office knick-knacks)
Optional: a bottle of wine and a therapist on speed dial when you realize you measured everything 3 inches too short.
Step-by-Step DIY Slat Wall
Pre-step: Paint.
You don’t have to, but it was part of my project task list, so the whole office received 2 coats of a sort of periwinkle blue (the daycare’s colour palette)
Step 1: Locate Your Studs (No, Not Like That)
Use a stud finder to mark where you can safely anchor your boards. If your walls are drywall, you’ll want those slats firmly attached unless you enjoy dramatic shelf avalanches mid-Zoom call.
SEO bonus: stud finder + slat wall = secure shelving = happy plants.
Attach your vertical boards securely to the studs. This extra space will allow for your moveable shelves to slot in and have a bit of back leverage to keep them in place.
You can leave these verticals white to match your DIY slat wall, or paint them the same colour as the walls so they blend in.
Step 2: Cut, Sand, Repeat
Measure your boards. Then measure again because you will be off by an inch the first time. Sand them smooth unless splinters and tetanus are part of your office aesthetic.
If you’re using MDF, you can skip sanding until after the first coat of primer has been applied. Then sand with 320 grit between primer 1, primer 2, paint 1, and paint 2 layers.
Step 3: Mount the Slats
Start from the bottom and work your way up (Drake was onto something). Use spacers or scrap wood to keep slats evenly spaced and TIGHT. You can stagger the ends for interest, or use a slat to create an edge to line all the horizontals up with.
Step 4: Cut and paint your shelves
The spacing between the vertical boards underneath the slats was 22″, so I knew that my shelves couldn’t be longer than 22″ unless I cut a notch in them to fit around the verticals. Yeah, not happening. Instead, I cut three at 22″ and two more at 12″ to give a bit of storage space along with a bit of interest.
Move them around until your plants get enough light and your Wi-Fi signal is still strong.
Then move them again for no reason other than you can.
The Grand Reveal: Slat Wall Chic
The daycare’s office went from “I have the blues” to “infinity and beyond” in a weekend. The slat wall made everything feel intentional—even the mess has a designated spot now. And the moveable shelves? They’re like the Swiss Army knife of decor. One day they hold books, the next they’re a plant jungle. Adaptability, thy name is slat wall.
This DIY slat wall sits about 18″ inches in from either corner and 2 feet above the shelving and below the ceiling. Centred to fill the space and far more interesting than before.
Final Thoughts (and a Subtle Brag)
This DIY slat wall project took about 6 hours total (not counting repainting the entire office) and cost less than a fancy ergonomic chair (one sheet of 5/8″ MDF runs about $50 CDN and I had paint from the doors and baseboard repaints).
I’ve seen slat walls done in wood (walnut in particular) and they are STUNNING – they do however, come with a hefty price tag.
This version matches the company’s colours and aesthetics, are washable, AND affordable.
Plus, now I get to casually mention it in every conversation:
“Oh, sorry I missed your call—I was rearranging my slat wall shelves. You know how it is.”
Whether you’re trying to boost productivity, hide that weird crack in your drywall, or just want a Pinterest-worthy backdrop for your next Zoom call, a DIY slat wall with moveable shelves is your ticket to office greatness.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a fake fiddle leaf fig to rearrange for the fourth time today.
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