Mounted shelves allow you to store and display items along the walls of your home.They can make a lovely addition to the room's décor.It's important that shelves are installed correctly.It is possible to ensure that your shelves hold up to years of use by fastening them to supportive brackets and locating the wall's studs.
Step 1: You can put your shelves in an open spot along the wall.
It's mostly a matter of preference when it comes to the position of your shelves.There are some important factors to consider when choosing a mounting site, such as proximity to the nearest wall studs and the size of your shelves in relation to nearby objects.It may not be a good idea to mount the shelves near doors or high-traffic areas if they are particularly deep.To make display shelves a focal point of the room, a good rule of thumb is to mount them at an eye level.If you're going to be stacking shelves, the best place to do it is in an area that has enough room for them to fit together.
Step 2: To find the 2 wall studs closest to your location, use the stud finder.
Put your stud finder against the wall to the left of where you want to put your shelves.Once it is in position, press the button on the thumb side and begin sliding the tool to the right.It means that it has detected a stud underneath.You can get a basic stud finder for $30 at your local hardware store or home improvement center.You can get more advanced models with multiple modes and precision features for less.The inner structure of the wall is referred to as astud.It is important to locate your wall's studs whenever you are putting up shelves, as drywall isn't meant to support much weight and in time may collapse under strain.
Step 3: If you don't have a stud finder, perform a tap test to find them.
Most homes have wall studs that are 16– 24 inches apart.One thing you can do to find a stud without tools is to measure the distance from the door frame to the wall, and then use your knuckle to make a noise.The hollow drywall produces a louder, deeper sound than the stud, which will make a dull thud when struck.Light switches and electrical outlets are mounted to the wall.If you can't find a stud, try measuring 16– 24 inches from a nearby switch or outlet, and tap the surrounding area until you get a hit.
Step 4: Use a pencil to mark the location of the stud.
Put a small dot or "X" at each site after you have pinpointed your stud.When you begin drilling, the marks you make will serve as a visual guide.If you lose track of them, you won't have to hunt for them again.Make your stud marks in pencil, and avoid bearing them down so hard that you can't erase them later.If you don't want to draw directly on the wall, mark the tape with a strip of painter's tape.
Step 5: If you want your shelves to be at the desired height, hold up one of the mounting brackets.
If necessary, move the brackets higher or lower to see how it looks.Again, where you put your shelves is up to you as long as you stay between the studs.The frame pieces that attach to the wall are supported by the brackets.The shelves will be cradled from underneath, bracing against the wall studs at an angle.You could hang your shelves higher or lower depending on the specific use you have in mind for them, but most shelf brackets are mounted between chest and eye level.It's a lot harder to move your shelves after you drill the holes if you rush the decision on where to hang them.
Step 6: The screw holes on the wall need to be marked.
The screw holes need to be in line with the studs.Attach the tip of your pencil to the screw hole on the back of the first bracket and write a dot on it.You will use this mark as a reference point for your first and second pilot holes.If your shelf brackets have more than one screw hole, mark them as well.For stacked shelves, mark all of your pilot hole locations vertically along the same stud at one time.
Step 7: To mark the opposite stud, draw a line from your first pilot hole.
Take a moment to make sure your first pencil mark is centered correctly by holding a carpenter's level out horizontally.When you reach the mark you made to indicate the position of your second stud, run your pencil along the top of the level.The top of the shelf corresponds to this line.When you run out of room, stop and reset the level.Ensure that your line is straight and uniform by checking its orientation.For each set of shelves you plan to install, repeat this step at a different height.
Step 8: There is a second mark where the other pilot hole will go.
To make sure your shelves are level, connect the 2 points with a straight line and mark where you need to drill each pilot hole.You are ready to start drilling.
Step 9: The pilot holes need to be drilled.
Put the pilot hole mark on the tip of the screw.The screws should be driven into the wall stud by using a power drill or screwdriver.Carefully remove the screws from the wall.The shelf brackets have screws in them.The wood screws are a good fit for most shelves.If you want to screw directly into the brackets in one shot, boring pilot holes is the way to go.
Step 10: Attach the brackets to the wall with the pilot holes you just drilled.
Reinsert the screws after aligning the screw holes of the brackets.Attach the screws to the wall with a drill or screwdriver.Before cinching them down, be sure to double-check that your brackets are straight.Don't tighten your screws.The surrounding surface could be damaged and the connection weakened by doing so.Don't put up your shelves until you have your brackets in place.It will be much easier to fix the brackets if you have already installed the shelves.
Step 11: Put your shelves in place.
Depending on the style of your shelves, you may be able to simply rest them on top of the brackets.Attach your shelves to the brackets with screws in the appropriate slots.The slots are located along the top of the brackets.Make sure your shelves are even.It may be necessary to drill a new pilot hole for one of your brackets if they're off level by more than a small amount.As long as the brackets are seated securely in the wall studs and you're using anchors of an appropriate strength rating, your shelves should be able to support the amount of weight indicated.
Step 12: There are pencil marks left on the wall.
You should inspect the area around your newly-mounted shelves for traces of the markings you made while searching for your wall studs and positioning your shelf brackets.Rub them out with the end of your pencil.Congratulate yourself on a job well done.Remove painter's tape from your wall and throw it in the trash.