How to hang a shelf on the wall: the best mounting method

Required Tools

Tools for attaching shelves to the wall

To securely hang a shelf on the wall, you should use the following tools:

• drill or hammer drill;

drill of the required diameter;

• screwdriver;
• level;
• dowels;
• self-tapping screws;
• pen or pencil.

Useful tips

Even if you think that you don’t know how to hang a shelf correctly, you shouldn’t immediately call a professional. All you need to do is show a little effort and diligence, and you can easily get the job done. If, for example, you also need a shelving unit hung in the closet, then you can first practice on it, and then move on to working in rooms where there is finishing.

In addition, the greater the planned load on the fixed rack, the stronger the fasteners should be used. After all, over time, they may weaken, and the shelf will fall with all its contents. And this is extremely undesirable. Therefore, it is not recommended to skimp on bolts, as this can have negative consequences.

DIY apartment renovation

or wall cabinet correctly How to hang a shelf in a bathroom where the walls are finished with ceramic tiles? How to hang a shelf on drywall, the main qualities of which are not strength? Similar questions arise quite often. Although there is no difficulty here. After reading this review, you will see for yourself and can easily hang any shelf on the wall with your own hands.

Installation of a light shelf

A shelf with hidden fasteners looks neater

If the shelf was purchased in a store, then the kit may come with fastenings. It is better to use them after reading the instructions before doing so. The need for preliminary study comes from the fact that some shelves are attached to the wall in a special way. Ignoring the necessary conditions may cause an undesirable result.

Depending on the shape, they can be very diverse: a straight shelf, a multi-tier shelf, a corner shelf, a closed and open shelf, a round and square shelf, and so on.

Various shapes of open shelves

Before you immediately nail the shelf to the wall, you should prepare. To do this, you need to decide on a place for it on the wall. First, the shelf is adjusted to the wall and marked in the center of the holes with a pencil.

Take a level and mark with a pencil the exact locations for the holes for the dowels

To ensure that the shelf is level, the distance between the fastenings is measured and compared with those marked on the wall. Then everything is checked by level, only after that the preparatory stage is completed.

Choosing a place to install the shelf

Then, using the tool, holes are made in the wall. It is important to use a drill bit that is the same size as the fastener. Once the mounting points are ready, you can hang the shelf.

We make 2 holes in the places of our marks

Mesh metal shelves

Most wardrobe systems for wardrobes involve storing things on mesh metal shelves. And this is quite justified and reasonable: thanks to their cellular shape, mesh shelves allow air to pass through perfectly and promote good ventilation, eliminating the possibility of a musty smell inside the cabinet.

Also, mesh metal shelves increase the viewing angle inside the cabinet. For example, in the hallway:

• All the shoes on the lower shelves are clearly visible through the bars. Therefore, it is recommended to make shoe racks from metal shelves (in addition, they are easy to clean).
• You won’t have to “rummage” with your hand in search of a headdress on the top shelf if it is mesh. You can clearly see what lies where above eye level.

However, metal mesh shelves also have a weak point. This is not such a strong attachment to the frame as with blank shelves made of chipboard and MDF. It is also not recommended to heavily load the grids.

Methods for attaching mesh shelves

There are two types of fastening of metal shelves: wall or side.

In the first case, the shelves are attached to the wall, that is, to the back of the wardrobe, using special brackets and guides.

The installation can be strictly horizontal or tilted if these are shelves for shoes.

The front edge can be reinforced using special support posts.

You can also purchase special canopy holders for hanging the barbell under hangers.

Or dividers-partitions for deep shelves. This will allow you to more accurately store various small accessories and items.

Shelves with side fastening are installed in the same way as regular ones, with emphasis on the partitions. To do this, the shelf is cut to the size of the allocated niche and secured using special stop holders.

There is an option for mounting on special runners. Then the mesh metal shelf can be retractable.

You can also install dividers on it for optimal zoning for storing small items.

Attaching a Heavy Shelf

If you need to attach a shelf, you should think through some details in advance. You should decide on the choice of material from which it will be made, as well as its functional purpose. If the answers to these questions led to an understanding of the need for a reliable shelf, then it is worth knowing its features.

To attach a heavy shelf you should use: a drill or hammer drill, dowels and screws, drills of the required diameter.

So, we start by adjusting the shelf to the wall and marking the holes. In order to correct the evenness, we check with a level. After this, you can begin the drilling procedure. Using a drill, make holes in the marked places. Insert dowels into the resulting holes. Afterwards, the shelf is tried on the wall a second time and attached with self-tapping screws.

To determine the exact place where to screw a screw in a brick wall, you can use electrical tape

Correct execution of all steps guarantees safe operation of the suspended surface.

These spikes will serve as a mount for an invisible shelf.

Hanging a shelf on a tile

To attach the shelf to the tile, it is better to use a drill or hammer drill, dowels and self-tapping screws. The reason for choosing this type of tool is the fragility of the tiles.

A good guide to horizontality will be the seams between the tiles

The first stage - selecting a surface, marking holes and checking with a level - is the same for all types of surfaces. The second stage is the actual moment of drilling. But it is he who conceals his own nuances. For the effectiveness of this process, it is worth drilling the tile itself at low power, and then changing the drill to a smaller one and working fully.

You should not forget about the fastidiousness of tiles. Any wrong action can result in a crack in it. You should be very careful and follow the recommendations.

If you still need to drill the tile, mark the location of the hole on the masking tape

How to hang a shelf on drywall?

Builders often use drywall when working on walls. Its basis is specific and, at first glance, unreliable. Then the question arises about the technique of fastening shelves on this type of surface. But it is important to take into account that builders do not recommend installing heavy shelves on this type of wall.

To accomplish this task, such options are known.

Fastening with embedded beams. Fastened directly to the gypsum board when installing the wall. The bars are fixed in the place where the shelf is planned.

The embedded beam to which all the hanging elements will be attached

Scheme of fastening to the embedded beam

Using profiles. Using a strong magnet, the metal profile is determined. It is in it that a hole is made through. The length of the screw must be greater than the width of the plasterboard sheet. Afterwards the shelf is fixed to the wall.

Frame guide profile

Fastening to drywall. This is done using a butterfly dowel, an umbrella and fasteners. They pass easily through the plane and are screwed into the wall.

You can attach a shelf that is small in size and weight to drywall using special butterfly dowels

Operating principle of butterfly dowels

Anchor fittings. Used for shelves that can support large masses.

Using anchor bolts you can securely attach the shelf to the wall

Visual instructions for installing anchor bolts

Each of the options has its own mandatory conditions for the successful implementation of the plan. So, everyone can make their own choice that suits their realities.

Installing shelves

The shelves are placed on brackets and pencil marks are made through the mounting holes on the bottom of the shelves. Next, holes of the appropriate size are drilled at the marks on the bottom of the shelves.

The flat screws are threaded through the holes in the mounting bracket and into the pilot holes on the bottom of the shelves. During the work you will need the following tools:

• hidden wiring detector (Stud Finder);
• roulette;
• electric drill;
• drill of the required diameter;
• flat head screws;
• level (carpentry);
• shelf brackets;
• shelves.

It is recommended to use hollow anchors to attach shelves when the studs are not in the correct location to accommodate the length of the shelves. It is helpful to have a helper to hold the shelves in place while the holes are made in the wall. Be sure to wear safety glasses when drilling holes.

How to choose the right fastening method

Depending on the material from which the shelf is made, the method of fastening is chosen. In this case, not only the weight of the objects that are planned to be exhibited is taken into account, but also the weight of the canvas itself.

Wooden

To attach wooden shelves, a hidden installation method is often used. It is easier to make holes in wood or screw in self-tapping screws. The installation of such shelves on a wooden beam matched to the tone of the furniture will be invisible.

External fastenings include brackets made in a classic style, with ornamental elements, painted in copper or bronze color.

Glass

Glass shelves are installed on pelican brackets. The panel is clamped between two holder parts installed one above the other. It is possible to use metal slats in which the shelf is clamped in a similar way.

Corner

To install corner shelves, use any method. Only during the installation process is it worth considering that the fasteners under the canvas may intersect due to their length, so you need to select their size correctly.

Metal

To fix metal shelves, metal corners are used. However, they have a low load capacity, so for heavy structures frames made of metal slats are used.

Plastic

Plastic shelves are light enough, so they can be mounted on any holders. But if furniture is installed on a wall covered with tiles, it is better to avoid repeated drilling.

How to attach correctly

The main condition for a durable installation of a shelf is the correct selection of fasteners depending on the load that they will have to withstand. The longer the shelf and the higher the mass of objects on it, the more support points there should be.

In addition, when fixing furniture, you should always take into account the quality of the wall.

In the usual way

The first thing they do when installing shelves is to calculate the places where the canvas is attached to the wall. The level checks for the absence of curvature. The brackets are screwed to the shelf. Screws are screwed in completely if there are no deviations. The shelf is applied to the wall and notches are made, holes are drilled, fastenings are installed and dowels are lightly screwed in. The shelf is installed on brackets. If the level does not show deviations, screw the screws into the dowels until the end.

Hidden method

The hidden method includes all the same calculation principles as the regular method, only it is more labor-intensive, as it requires great accuracy.

On the rods

One of the options for mounting a shelf without visible fastening is fixing it on rods. The fastening loops are screwed to the wall with self-tapping screws, and the furniture piece is “slipped” onto the free edge – the pin.

On plates

The plates are attached to the back of the shelf with self-tapping screws. The shelf is fixed on dowels screwed into the wall at a distance corresponding to the distance between the plates. In order for the hidden fastening to press the structure tightly, recesses for fastening are made on the back walls of the furniture.

On hidden hinges

To firmly install the shelf on hidden hinges, recesses are cut out from the back of the structure. The mount is screwed to the canvas with self-tapping screws and installed on dowels screwed into the wall.

Sequence of work

Before you attach the shelf to the wall, you need to know that the thicker the shelf, the thicker the support should be. A hole is drilled in the end part an average of 5 mm below the surface. All holes for shelves in the wall must match, otherwise attaching them will be quite problematic.

Metal corner - the most reliable fastening for a wooden shelf

When using anchor bolts, you can use special brackets

Invisible fastening of shelves is carried out in a hidden way

Using your imagination, you can create a unique shelf fastener

Attaching the shelf to the wall:

• A strip of the required length is considered a template. It is applied to the end of the shelf and a hole of the required diameter is made, after which it is applied to the wall.
• The next step will be drilling, which must be done with maximum precision.

To attach the shelf you will need:

• electric drill,
• threaded coupling,
• brackets,
• lath - template,
• carpentry glue,
• screws.

Complex cases

There are a number of cases when attaching shelves to the wall requires care, some effort, or the use of more durable materials.

How to hang a glass shelf

Glass shelves are installed on brackets. The fastenings are fixed to the wall with ordinary self-tapping screws and covered with decorative overlays on top. The glass is clamped between two parts of the bracket using a compression mechanism.

On a plasterboard wall

To firmly install shelves on a gypsum plasterboard wall, it is necessary to make embedded parts from metal or wood at the installation stage. In this case, the fasteners will be screwed to a durable material and hold the structure tightly. If the wall is hollow, it is better to install the shelf using umbrella dowels.

Concrete wall

A special feature of a concrete wall is its strength, so installing a shelf will require drilling. To do this, use a hammer drill and a durable drill of a slightly smaller diameter than the dowel-nails that will be used.

Hidden

Hidden fastening for shelves is a solution for interiors decorated in high-tech, minimalism or modern style.

To install shelves on the wall use:

1. Hidden hinges. They are suitable for products of different thicknesses and materials (chipboard, solid wood, plywood). Using a building level and a marker, mark points on the surface of the wall and drill holes for fasteners. Then the dowels are driven in and the hinges are secured with self-tapping screws. At the end of the shelf, with which it will adjoin the wall, it is advisable to make a recess to the size of the hinge, so that due to the protruding fittings, no free space will form between the wall and the shelf.
2. Metal rods. This type of fastener belongs to the console type. It is usually sold complete with the shelf itself, in which holes of the required diameter and depth are already made. The method of fixation may vary - either it is screwed into the wall with a dowel, or it is attached to flat hinges or strips. Reliable fixation is ensured only by those hardware whose diameter is at least 10 mm.
3. Wooden beam. Used for installing closed shelves. On the wall, using a level and a marker, draw a line on which the auxiliary fasteners will be placed (it should go under the shelf). Then the block is attached using dowels and screws. Hang the shelf and secure it with an additional block.

Non-standard methods

In addition to the standard, well-known methods for installing shelves, original options using various available materials are used. These details not only allow you to conveniently and easily fix the structure, but also act as decoration.

Rings with hooks

You can hang the shelf using rings with attached hooks. The rings are attached to the wall, and the hooks are attached to the loops that are screwed into the structure in advance.

Water pipes

The method is useful in any room. Holes are made in the furniture fabric slightly larger than the diameter of the water pipe. The shelf is “put on” and fixed with a flange in the desired position. The design may consist of a single panel, or it may be an open shelving unit.

Belts

Shelves suspended on belts look original. To do this, take two leather products of the same length, fold them in half and drill them towards the wall. A shelf is inserted into the resulting loops. To prevent the canvas from moving, the straps must be screwed to the shelf with small self-tapping screws.

Ropes

Shelves hung on ropes will look great. A thin rope is used for this. 4 holes are made in the tree through which the rope is threaded. Knots are tied on both sides, thus fixing the shelf. The ends of the ropes are tied together and attached to the wall.

Hidden fasteners in books

The shelf is an old book with a metal corner screwed into it. The second part of the fastening is fixed to the wall. This shelf will hold several more books.

What fasteners to use for glass furniture

Modern models consist of many glass and glossy panels. To fix them, special types of fasteners are used. Silicone and rubber gaskets help reduce friction.

They prevent damage to the glass panel during the assembly process. Most of the parts are glued with a special adhesive. The fittings consist of lightweight metals. Thanks to this, all the details are in harmony with each other. Hidden furniture fasteners are used here.

For larger models, corners, hinges and locks are used. Thin screws and self-tapping screws with plastic attachments help secure these elements.

Advice and recommendations from experts

Although attaching a shelf is not the most difficult task, there are some installation rules. Adviсe:

1. Do not install the shelf too high or in a place where it may interfere with movement.
2. To install the shelf level, a piece of electrical tape is glued to the level at the attachment point.
3. Use stronger fasteners when installing the shelf on a gypsum fiber board wall.
4. Correctly calculate the number of fasteners and the load on the structure.
5. When drilling a hole for a dowel, use a drill with a diameter equal to the size of the sleeve.

When preparing holes in the wall and shelf sheet, it is important to keep the drill level, otherwise the screws will not hold tightly, which will cause the structure to fall.

What information do you need to provide to start working on the project?

We need to receive your terms of reference, but if you don’t have it, then at least the following preliminary information:

• warehouse plan, which specifies the dimensions of the grid of columns, the presence of links to doors, gates, windows, and designated communications;
• information on permissible loads on floors, floor materials and their condition;
• description of the stored goods (container, dimensions, weight, packaging units, frequency of movements, etc.);
• data on existing warehouse equipment or planned for use (load capacity, lifting height, width of the working corridor, dimensions, model, etc.);
• information about the mandatory organization of areas for acceptance, packaging, shipment, and others (if such areas are already organized, then information is needed about their configuration and area);
• indicate, if any, specific requirements for the racking system.

What types of fasteners are there according to method of use?

Among the diversity of the construction market, fittings are divided into categories depending on size, material, load capacity, and strength of the base. Craftsmen advise using wooden choppers instead of dowels; this measure will help the bookcase to fall soon. Over time, the tree dries out, in conditions of high humidity, and with temperature changes, it often and greatly changes in size.

Hidden fasteners for shelves to the wall

Often this method of fastening is chosen due to the design features of the room. Installation involves complexity and is rarely used. Hidden fittings are suitable for shelving made of wood, laminated chipboard, and plywood sheets.

These can be rods, bars, plates, hinged loops. The latter imply that first the hinges are attached, screws are screwed into the wall, and then the part is hung. The fixation is not visible, everything is securely hidden.

Rod products distribute the load perfectly. They are placed inside the shelf so that at least 2-5 cm remains to the edge. Often, sections of reinforcing rods, construction studs with threads, and drive-in anchors are used as rods. Depending on the expected weight of things, rods with a thickness of 1 to 1.8 cm are taken.

Concealed mensolo holders are rods that are attached to the back side of the shelf and a bracket for fastening to the wall. This way out of the situation is possible if there are holes inside the shelf without loss of functional qualities.

Multi-level products are successfully mounted on plates that are firmly fixed to the main surface.

When using wooden beams, a sheathing is assembled, on which a shelf is placed on top.

It creates the impression of a floating or floating shelf, weightlessness.

Open fittings, brackets

The easiest installation method is to use open fittings.

Corner brackets are suitable for inserts, withstanding loads of up to 20-40 kg, which depends on the type of fastener.

When an increased load is planned, reinforced parts are taken, with additional jumpers, capable of holding up to 100 kg.

Shelf bracket

If you don’t plan to put a lot on the shelf, decorative corners with a maximum load capacity of 10-30 kg, called mensolo holders, will suffice. This fastener has decorative qualities that complement the interior.

Wooden or metal slats are divided into single-level with a horizontal direction and two-level with a vertical direction.

Reinforced fittings are often used when decorating storage areas inside utility rooms, where increased load is expected. In other cases (in residential premises, offices), decorative holders are suitable.

How to choose a mount for different shelves

They are chosen based partly on the preferences of the owners and designers, the main criterion being the functionality of the product. When the choice of the main part is made, select the desired fastener.

Tree

It is convenient to hang wooden products on hidden elements, or put them in wide loops.

The installation of wood on forged mensolo holders looks good in the overall classic design style. They can be painted in black, copper or bronze tones for a nice look.

Glass

It is not recommended to drill or cut through glass shelves, so holders with clamps will be the solution. Glass is inserted inside them, pulled together tightly, and the shelf is securely fixed.

A good option with this operating principle is the “pelican”. These holders are represented by two large separate parts located at a distance from each other. A shelf is placed between both parts and tightened to fix it with a common screw.

Glass shelf

Sometimes aluminum horizontal profile slats are used. If the shelves are sandblasted, you can install additional lighting.

Corner products

The shelves located in the corner of the room are attached according to the general principle with the difference that the holders are placed at an angle relative to each other.

This is the main reason why long horizontal brackets are not used - they will intersect and overlap.

Corner model

It is necessary to choose aluminum slats, “pelicans”, or similar fastenings. It is worth remembering that corner parts assume a low load.

Metal

Metal ones are mounted on systems that are frames. They are formed from horizontal and vertical slats to which brackets are attached.

Metal model

A simple model involves lifting a load of up to 60 kg, the reinforcement from below holds up to 120 kg, and the placement of the amplifier at the bottom and top adds stability up to 180 kg.

Plastic

Light plastic products are often hung in the bathroom, less often in other rooms.

When tiling walls, you need to follow the rule - the fewer holes drilled, the better.

Plastic model

Plastic cannot support heavy weights, so any type of fastener can be used.

Step-by-step guide for installing wall brackets

An empty shelf is placed against the wall, mounting points are marked below, and a level check is performed.

Depending on the type of base, holes are made or not made with a drill. The thickness of the drill must match the diameter of the dowels and anchors.

The horizontal elements are first fixed on the shelves: they are “baited”, then the screwing is checked for evenness, and then they are tightened until it stops.

Preparation for installation

A dowel is inserted inside the wall holes and a shelf is attached, checking that the holes are made correctly. If everything is correct, the shelf is screwed on. First they “bait”, check the even position, then pull it all the way.

Small products are not always screwed to the walls; most often it is enough to secure the holders firmly and simply place the stand on top.

An example of fixing a shelf with your own hands can be seen in the following video:

Installing a holder without visible fastening

Hidden fastening implies absolute marking accuracy.

Installation on the rods is carried out in stages. First, the mounting plate is fixed in a horizontal position to the wall using self-tapping screws and dowels with pre-drilled holes. Then the product is put on firmly fixed protruding parts of the fastening.

The plates are screwed to the reverse side with self-tapping screws. In this case, you need to use a router for the notches or place the back wall so that it is slightly recessed into the shelf. This is necessary so that after installation there is no gap between the two planes.

Recesses are cut out under the hidden hinges using a milling machine so that the hinge is flush with the edge. All fasteners are fixed with self-tapping screws, the finished elements are hung on pre-installed screws and dowels. All that remains is to hang the product by the loops.

Features of installing glass shelves

Glass cannot be drilled, so hinges or similar fittings cannot be used. You can't just lay glass on top of the fasteners because of the slippery surface.

The optimal solution is to install mensolo holders or “pelicans”. The advantage is that the fasteners are securely hidden behind decorative overlays, increasing the attractiveness of the shelves.

Example of installing a glass shelf

First, the parts are disassembled, holes are drilled, fastening parts are installed, and the installation is checked to see how smoothly the installation is done. The last step is to put on the decorative plugs, insert them, and fix the shelf.

How to do the job on plasterboard walls

GKL sheets do not differ in their ability to firmly fix shelf holders. In such a case, you need to take care of reinforcing the base.

At the assembly or cladding stage, additional profiles made of metal or wood are attached to the frame. Then, when installing the shelf, the fasteners are screwed not into plasterboard, but into a metal profile or wood, which strengthens the position of the product.

Metal dowel for drywall

When the workspace has already been covered with plasterboard and no additional reinforcements have been made, there is a way out in the form of special fittings. Umbrellas, butterflies, Knauf Hartmut, Moli Driva or Legs are suitable.

Non-standard solutions

It is not always possible to find the right mounting option for shelves, or the homeowner/designer has a special design idea. Then human imagination comes to the rescue, giving rise to unusual methods of solution.

Shelf with straps

Instead of loops, sometimes they use rings with hooks, water pipes, and fittings. Sometimes belts, chains, and rope are used.

Shelves on pipes with fittings

Unusual things with a different purpose create a unique style for the room and complement interesting design ideas.

Honeycomb shaped shelf

You can take non-standard fasteners and hang shelves in an unusual way. Not strictly horizontally, at an angle, forming corners, honeycombs, diamonds, making storage space of an unusual shape.

Non-standard arrangement of shelves at an angle

Shelf holder in the closet: care and operation

As such, there are no special rules relating exclusively to the care of fasteners. Unless the plastic corners and tension sleeves are kept clean. The mode of operation is more important here. For example, a connection with Euroscrews does not tolerate loads in a perpendicular plane.

There are no special requirements for the care of fasteners. Minifixes, conical ties and especially rafixes have a greater degree of resistance. The weakest point of such fasteners is the cutouts for the pin. Therefore, you should not load the shelves more than usual. In addition, it is advisable not to allow excess humidity in the room, as this does not have the best effect on the mechanical properties of wood.

If the shelf is properly attached, it will last a very long time. Based on the large selection of available fasteners and auxiliary accessories, solving problems with installing a new shelf or fixing a broken one should not present much difficulty. Moreover, using original fastenings for shelves in the closet, you can try to optimize the internal space so that everything you might need fits there.

General recommendations

When using visible and invisible fastenings, it is important to consider the thickness of the wall. Hidden fittings are used when the wall thickness is from 25 cm. If it is made of brick and at least 10.5 cm if it is made of concrete. When the wall is made of plasterboard or cinder blocks, with a total thickness of up to 10 cm, the use of hanging shelves is possible for decorative purposes.

The shelf itself needs to be chosen correctly. Do not take heavy, massive products; it is better to prefer thinner, lighter materials. The main requirements are cleanliness, dryness, high-quality coating. To store light items, shelves up to 3 cm thick; for books, heavy objects take a thickness of 4.5 to 6 cm.

Based on the factors described, fasteners are selected. Then there will be a clear idea of ​​what load is imposed, what the main surface is made of, and what options are acceptable in a particular case.

Non-standard options include furniture fittings, an overview of which can be seen in the following video: