How to Install Wall Brackets Properly

Adding shelves to any room is a nice way to update a tired look and bring new life to it. Hanging a shelf isn’t difficult, but like all things, you want to do the job right. Completing home projects the right way is often a matter of trial and error, learning, and taking your time. If you don’t know how to install wall brackets properly, simply follow the steps below.

Buy Your Shelf and Brackets

There are a lot of different shelving and bracket options out there to match every budget and every taste. The type you choose should depend on where you plan to put the shelf and what you want to put on it. If you want your shelf to hold heavy kitchenware such as plates and bowls, for example, you may need custom-made metal brackets to support the shelf. On the other hand, if you only want to put decorative knick-knacks on the shelf, lighter-duty brackets will suffice.

Pick Your Spot

As you decide where the shelf is going, take a look around your home and find the exact place you want it to go. If you plan on displaying things on it, don’t place it too high—people won’t be able to see the items on display. Keep in mind who will be using the room; if you have kids who might be tempted to play with the things on the shelf, hang it out of reach.

Find the Studs

At this point, you’ll need to find the studs in the wall. The studs are the wood supports that hold up the wall and the house. If you have one, use a stud finder. Slowly sweep it across the wall until it beeps or lights up, then mark the spot. You can also use a hammer or your fist to gently tap on the wall and listen for differences in the sound.

Make Sure the Shelf is Level

An uneven shelf will look silly and increase the chances that things will slide off it. Before you hang the shelf, get a small level and hold the shelf against the wall. Adjust it until it’s level and mark where the brackets should go. This will make it easy to find that spot once it’s time to anchor the shelf, and you’ll know the shelf will be level.

Anchor to the Studs

Using the provided hardware, attach the brackets and the shelf directly into the studs. Anchoring to the studs will give the shelf more strength. It will be able to support more weight, and you won’t have to worry about it falling.