Inspired by a stupidly expensive minimalist DVD shelf I saw on Wayfair, I have endeavored to make the cheapest game shelf possible using the same concept--just a bar and a retaining surface. Each shelf is made from three printed parts, a handful of screws, and a <$3 Walmart curtain rod, making the cost less than $5. To assemble it, you only need a screwdriver. Beat that for a bargain!

Parts

• Wrap around curtain rod with 3" clearance
• 6 small screws*
• 2 end brackets
• 1 (or more) support hook(s)
• 2-4 retainers (optional)

*I don't know the exact size. I just used random ones from my stash of spare furniture parts; check in your junk drawer, there's probably at least a few in there! (Seriously, does someone who's making a $5 shelf seem like they'd have their tool game together?)

Tools

• Screwdriver (preferably electric)
• Drill (optional, for pilot holes)
• Level (optional, if you're a perfectionist or not good at eyeballing it)

Assembly

1. Print two end brackets, one original and one mirrored. Print your support hook and however many retainers you want.

2. With the included hardware, screw your curtain rod into the wall wherever you want it and at whatever adjusted length you want.

3. Place the brackets over their designated ends; the wide side should go against the wall and wrap around the included curtain rod hardware, and the angled piece should be underneath the rod. Screw these into place.

4. Roughly align the support hook in the center of the curtain rod (or evenly spaced if using multiple) and screw into place.

5. Place games on shelf, and clip retainers onto the rod to keep them in place.

6. Done!

Notes

• The shelf is sturdy enough to hold a good number of game cases or DVD/Blu-Ray cases. It might be able to handle CDs or mass market paperbacks/other light books. It's a light duty shelf, so be careful what you put on it!
• I extended my shelves to ~34", which seems fine with one support hook, but you will probably want two for a full 48" shelf. I wouldn't recommend going for the 84" curtain rod, but use more support hooks in that case.
• The safest configuration of retainers is to have one on each side of each section of games--so minimum one on each end of the shelf if you put all your games together. They do stay on just fine without any retainers (especially with support from the end brackets and middle hook) but if you think it's likely to get bumped, I wouldn't go without.

Credits

I designed the end brackets and retainers, but the support hook was modded from piratemunky's model.

And here's the stupidly expensive Wayfair inspiration for this project!