Hanging shelves in a house is the most common thing you probably need to do in your place since you started to live on your own. It seems like a pretty challenging task but usually you don't even need to have any carpenter tools! We suggest the following list before start:
1) Hammer,
2)Screwdriver,
3) Level,
4) Measuring tape,
5) Pencil.
Well, let me be more specific here, if you decide to keep on a shelf a bronze bust of Beethoven that was giving to you a s a family heritage from your grand-grand-grandma you should invite someone with professional experience to do it (with all respect you don't want to mess with your grandma feelings if something goes wrong). For more common things such as kitchen spices, vinyl records, flowers, stuff that you never use and don't even know when you get it and etc. you can do it yourself!
All you need is to go to your local hardware store or go online (Amazon we all love you!) and order drywall anchors which look something like this. It usually comes together with screws and you can choose desired bearing weight. Our advice is to get them about 20% stronger than maximum weight of the shelf with all the belongings on it. The anchors are made from plastic or metal and the maximum bearing weight should be clearly printed on the box.
Let's go step by step here:
- Chose location of the shelf.
- Measure the shelf and decide how far from its edges you wan to install brackets (we suggest something between 2'' to 10'').
- Mark a first spot for a bracket.
- Measure the distance to the next bracket, put a small mark. After that use a level to make sure that those marks are located at the same level (it helps you install the shelf perfectly straight). Position one end of the level by the first mark, make sure the air bubble is in the middle between the lines (as on picture below) and put second mark.
- Time to put anchors into the wall!
You don't need to drill a hole in the wall instead you can screw the anchor without screw into drywall. You can hammer down slightly the sharpened tip up until the treads begin. It will be a bit hard at the beginning but after couple turns should go in easily. Make sure to follow the list below to for smoother installation:
- Do not overtighten anchor
- Audible click lets you know when the anchor is firmly set
- Installs flush against the wall to prevent items from wobbling.
When you done with steps above you may proceed to bracket installation. Sorry, we can't be specific here because of the tremendous variety of the shelf brackets (but don't worry a manufacture should provide instruction for every bracket installation). The same is true for shelves.
When you done with brackets and the shelf already rest on them go and double check the level, shake it a little to make sure no wobbling there and clean the floor beneath from possible debris.
Pretty much that's it you're all set! If you in doubt at any of those steps it's always a good idea to hire professional. You not only save time you prevent yourself from buying new shelf, brackets, or even fixing the wall, after incorrect installation.