How to hang a shelf

This step-by-step guide provides detailed information on how to complete a task.

It includes a list of tools and materials needed for the task.

Please be advised that this is only a guide and I cannot accept responsibility for any work undertaken. If you are not confident undertaking electrical work then you should have this work undertaken by a qualified electrician.

Tools and Materials

Shelf with brackets attached
Appropriate screws and fixings for your wall and weight of shelf. Do not use the supplied screws and fixings as they are cheap, rubbish and do not know what type of wall you have.
Spirit level
Measuring tape
Pencil
Drill
Impact driver or screwdriver
Family member or friend to help (weight and size dependant)

Step by Step Guide

Choose suitable location

Decide where you want to mount the shelf and mark the height and centre. Ensure it’s a location that will accommodate the size and weight of the shelf and its intended purpose. Avoid areas with electrical wires or plumbing behind the wall.

Measure and mark

Use the measuring tape to measure down from the top of the shelf to the first hole. Then from the height and centre mark you have already made use your measurement to measure down to create a new centre and height of first screw hole.
Then get the distance from the centre of the shelf to the first hole and make another mark using this measurement from centre of height of first screw.
To get the screw hole height for your new mark use a level going off the centre height of first screw hole you made previously. You should now have a cross in the position of your first screw hole.

Drill hole for wall fixing

When complete you need to check that your marking location is not horizontal or vertically to a plug socket as the cables maybe running behind the wall and you do want to drill through the cables. If you are horizontal or vertically to a plug socket you can unscrew the plug socket (please refer to my guide ‘How to change a plug socket to USB’ to do safely) to see which way the cables are running, if they run towards your hole you will need to move the position of your shelf.
Using an appropriate drill bit, drill holes into the marked spot on the wall about 6-10cm deep depending on weight and load of shelves. If you are unsure about drilling into plasterboard or solid walls, please refer to my guides ‘How to hang on plasterboard’ or ‘How to hang on solid wall’.

Wall fixings

Once your hole is drilled, check that the appropriate screws you are using will go all the way in by poking into the hole. Then insert your appropriate wall fixing.

Screw bracket and mark remaining holes

Hold the shelf up to the wall to align with the bracket first screw hole your drill hole and screw in the screw with impact driver or screwdriver, you may want to use a family member or friend at this point to help hold shelf.
Now place your spirit level on the shelf and move the shelf until it is level. Once level you can mark the other screw holes. Remove screw you have just put in and repeat steps 3 and 4 for the marks you just made.

Mount the shelf

Once you have drilled all your holes and inserted your wall fixings you can now hold the shelf up to the wall to align bracket holes with screw hole and screw in all the screw with impact driver or screwdriver, you may want to use a family member or friend again at this point to help hold shelf.

Check it’s level

Place a spirit level on top of the shelf to ensure it’s level.

Double-Check Stability

Give the shelf a gentle shake to ensure it’s securely attached to the wall. Check for any signs of instability or wobbling.

Test Load Capacity (Optional)

If you plan to put heavy items on the shelf, you might want to test its load capacity by placing some weighted objects on it for a short period.

To learn how to hang a picture – click here

CONGRATULATIONS YOU HAVE COMPLETED IT!

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