DIY Toniebox Shelf: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Our friend asked us to build a shelf for her son’s new Toniebox. Of course, we said yes, but we didn’t even know what a Toniebox was!

After some Googling, we sent her some ideas to see what she was looking for and how big she wanted the shelf to be. She gave us a general idea and we got to work.

Here’s how we made this adorable DIY Toniebox shelf:

We bought the 3 boards used for this shelf in the ‘project’ section of the lumber department. There is a variety of wood available, but to keep our costs down, we use the Premium Pine. They are paint-and-stain-ready, so it cuts down on sanding time, too!

Step 1: Cut Boards to Length

The first step to making this DIY Toniebox shelf was to cut all the boards to the correct length.

Cut your 3-inch boards like this:

• 18 inches (x2)
• 16 1/4 inches (x2)
• 14 inches (x2)
• 8 inches (x1)
• 6 3/8 inches (x2)
• 3 1/2 inches (x2)

Cut your 6-inch board to 18 inches.

Step 2: Cut 45-Degree Angles

Next, set your table saw blade to a 45-degree angle and cut the ends of the roof and wall pieces.

For the roof pieces (16 1/4″), cut a 45-degree angle on BOTH ends of the board. However, make sure that the cuts don’t go in the same direction on both ends.

For the wall pieces (14″), only cut a 45-degree angle on ONE end of the board.

For the top shelf (8″), cut a 45-degree angle on BOTH ends of the board. Make sure the cuts don’t face the same direction on both ends.

Step 3: Cut & Sand the Bottom Shelf

The bottom shelf is made out of the 6-inch board, cut to 18″ long. We wanted a more rounded look.

Measure and mark the center of the board (9″). Then measure and mark 2.5″ on either side of center. Those marks will become the new rounded front corners of your bottom shelf.

Then at each end of the board, measure and mark from the back corner of the shelf to a depth 3-inches. This is where you will begin the diagonal cuts to the 2.5-inch marks on the front of the shelf.

Using a ruler, draw a line from the 3-inch marks on the ends of the board to the 2.5-inch marks at the front of the board.

Clamp the board to a sturdy surface and use a jigsaw to make the cuts. After the cuts are made, sand the edges of the shelf smooth and round off the corners.

Step 4: Mark & Drill for Washers

Once all of the shelves are cut and ready to go, it’s time to mark and drill for the washers.

Since Tonies are magnetic, the washers will make it easy for little hands to place them on the shelf and keep them from falling off.

The placement of the washers is entirely up to you, depending on the number and sizes of Tonies you have. The spacing of the washers is a little different on each shelf, but there was an average of about 1.5-2″ between them.

We put a total of 47 washers on this DIY Toniebox shelf, but we might have squeezed a few more in.

Use a pencil to mark the placement of the washers. Then, use a 1-inch woodboring spade drill bit to make a shallow divot for each washer. Keep your divots shallow so that the washers will be flush with the surface of the wood.

Step 5: Burn, Sand, and Stain

Now, it’s time to give the DIY Toniebox Shelf a little style.

We burnt the wood with a propane torch to make the grain stand out. Then we gave it a light sanding, using 220-grit sanding pads.

After wiping the dust off, we stained it with Minwax Wood Finish in the color Provincial.

Step 6: Glue the Washers

Once the stain was dry, we glued the washers in place with Gorilla Clear Grip Bonding Gel.

Apply a thin coat to the bottom of the washer and a thin coat to the top of the divot. You want to make sure kids can’t pry the washers up and swallow them.

Step 7: Nail the Shelf Together

Finally, it was time to see the DIY Toniebox shelf come together!

We used a nail gun and brad nails, but you could also use wood screws and a drill. (However, you run the risk of splitting the wood. So, pre-drill your holes first.)

Begin by nailing the 2 walls to the bottom shelf.

Next, add the long shelves (18″).

The upper long shelf will be flush with the top of the angled cuts of the walls. The lower long shelf sits 3 5/8″ from the bottom of the upper one.

Have both of them in place BEFORE you begin nailing or you might not be able to squeeze the middle one in and get it straight. Once they’re both in place, nail the upper long shelf to the walls first and then nail in the lower one.

Then nail your roof pieces together at the peak. Once, they’re connected, nail them to the top of the walls.

Slide your top shelf up to the peak of the roof until the angles are flush. Then nail it in place. There should be a 3 1/8″ space above the shelf to the peak of the roof.

Nail the 3 1/2″ pieces to the 6 3/8″ pieces at a 90-degree angle. These will become your split shelf at the bottom. Once they’re connected, nail them into the wall and the ‘floor’.

(I didn’t take pictures of us nailing it together, but this was after it was done.)

Step 8: Trace & Cut Backing

Now that your DIY Toniebox shelf is all put together, it’s time to add the backing.

Lay the shelf flat on your dry-erase/chalkboard backing and trace the edges with a pencil.

Clamp the backing onto a sturdy surface and use your jigsaw to cut out the house shape. Once it’s cut, staple or nail it to the back of the shelf.

Add the French cleat hanger to the back of the shelf, drill a hole for the cord, and you’re done!

(We added some stars to the shelf because our friend is from Texas!)

This DIY Toniebox shelf turned out pretty awesome! And the cutest little 2-year-old told us ‘fank you’ when he took it home. He also let us borrow his Tonies to take these pictures.

It was a fairly cheap and easy project and felt good to get out in the garage and make something again!