How to Use the Shelf Block in Minecraft Java & Bedrock

The Shelf is the block added to Minecraft Java and Bedrock in the 1.21.110.20 update. Not only is it an excellent decorative tile that brings us closer to vertical slabs, but it also has a ton of utility and can expand your inventory size indefinitely. Here's everything you need to know about crafting and using the Shelf in Minecraft.

How to Craft a Shelf in Minecraft

You can craft a shelf using Stripped Logs by placing three in the first row and three in the third row. You can leave the first row empty. You can get Stripped Logs by using an Axe on trees. This recipe gives you six Shelves in exchange for six Logs.

All of these Shelves have the same function, but have different colors and textures. You can make the following types depending on the type of Stripped Log you use:

• Oak Shelf
• Spruce Shelf
• Birch Shelf
• Jungle Shelf
• Acacia Shelf
• Dark Oak Shelf
• Mangrove Shelf
• Cherry Shelf
• Pale Oak Shelf
• Bamboo Shelf
• Crimson Shelf
• Warped Shelf

How to Use a Minecraft Shelf Block

Once crafted, you can place a Shelf on any wall, and it appears like a display case with three slots. You can click on any of these slots, and the item stack in your hand will be placed inside like a display case. You can place up to three different items, and these will stack up to the maximum stack size per each item.

How to Power Shelf with Redstone

You can power a Shelf with Redstone Torches, and you can tell they're powered when the dividers between the three slots are removed and the texture of the block is updated. A powered one allows you to replace all three items at once, with the three items rightmost on your toolbar rather than going through them one by one.

How to Connect Shelves

You can connect up to three Shelves with the power of Redstone, meaning you get nine connected slots. Place two Shelves next to each other and power them with Redstone, and they will automatically connect. Note that this only works if they're the same type of Shelf. Interacting with two connected Shelves swaps their content with the six rightmost items in your inventory, and interacting with 3 connected Shelves swaps out your whole item bar.

This makes Shelves incredibly useful for preparing entire loadouts in the game. For example, you can have a Shelf containing all of your diamond mining gear, and another one containing your enchanted combat gear. You can now quickly interact with them to swap your tools at the press of a button. The same goes for building and decorating bases. You can fill Shelves with stacks of items you plan on frequently using and create your own custom loadouts.

For more Minecraft guides, make sure you learn how the newly added Golems work and also learn about the Minecraft ore distribution and progression system while you're here at Pro Game Guides.