You can install heavy shelves with confidence that they will remain stable and secure, by using brackets. The way to use a drill to attach floating shelves to drywall is to use the drill to drill through the drywall so you can attach to something behind it that will support it, like studs. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. What tools do I need to hang floating shelves? The best way to do this is to use a stud finder, sliding it along the wall horizontally until the stud finder indicates where the stud is. These shelves are a true DIYers dream. For more tips, like how to install hollow floating shelves with cleats, read on! Weight-bearing shelves support heavy objects, such as mirrors, vases, books and picture frames. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you want to hang floating shelf brackets, use a stud finder to find the studs in the wall and drill into the stud where you want to hang your shelf. Make a separate guideline for each shelf you plan on hanging. Buy scotch tape: 2.1.4 Step 4. I'm trying to hang two small floating shelves on a section of plaster wall. Step 4 - Measure the Brackets. Be aware that the top of the fastener will be visible once you hang the shelf. Ideally, you should attach floating shelves (or anything else you’re hanging) to a wall stud, as this will give you the most supportive base for your project. asked Feb 14 '12 at 13:14. cbaz cbaz. You can also build your own hollow shelf and then slide it right on to a wooden cleat. But if you want to avoid drilling holes, use an adhesive glue to support your shelf. Once it’s in position, press the button on the thumb side … Last Updated: April 9, 2020 You can choose to use brackets specifically designed for floating shelves, making them invisible to the eye. If your shelf isn't super snug or feels a bit loose, try adding an additional 2x2 piece of wood for better security. Lastly, there's the option of using figure-eight fasteners to hold your shelf up on the wall. Measure your shelf to make sure it's the right thickness and depth for the brackets you chose. Use a stud finder to find the studs in the wall. They require no tools, though you can use a hammer to gently tap the pins into the wall if you have trouble pushing them through. When I hang floating shelves, I just use a level, a drill, measuring tape, and a stud finder. I will be placing books on these shelves that weigh about 40-45 pounds. Take a look at What’s Inside My Wall? How to hang floating shelves in drywall. If your shelf comes with brackets then you need to take the measurements accordingly. Drywall — especially the commonly used 1/2-inch-thick size — supports heavy weights when the shelving is properly installed. If you have a bathroom scale, simply step onto the scale while holding the item and record the weight. This is especially great for renters who don’t want to accumulate too many tools with more frequent moves. Lay a bracket on the board 4 to 6 inches from each end of the shelf. Before hanging anything, it’s important to find out what your wall is made of. Originally I wanted to use toggle bolts but I'd rather use something that's less damaging to the wall. How to Hang a Shelf with Anchors. Ideally, you should attach floating shelves (or anything else you're hanging) to a wall stud, as this will give you the most supportive base for your project. Floating shelves typically slide into the bracket sticking out of the wall. Measure the brackets and mark the points on the drywall. The key here is "visible". Hollow-Wall Anchors: How to Hang Something on the Wall Without a Stud There's never a stud when you need one. Drywall construction is ubiquitous in home building. Not hollow? shelving granite marble  Share. Subtract the second number from the first, and you'll have the weight of … For more tips, like how to install hollow floating shelves with cleats, read on! Make sure the guideline is straight and positioned exactly where you plan on hanging the shelf. A stud finder—a hand-held device that uses a magnet to detect metal, such as the nails and screws in the wall studs of your home—can help you locate these. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Don’t drill too deeply — the hole is simply to help you begin chiseling. We were going to use toggle bolts, but after we drilled the holes for the toggle bolts we discovered there's only about 3 cm of space between the back of the lath and the exterior masonry. Slide the openings on the back of the shelf over the pegs and push the shelf into place. It's easy to put up and relatively inexpensive. Drywall doesn't have the strength for that. If the shelf has two notches for nails or screws, measure and mark the distance between them and make sure they are level. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 260,342 times. The problem is that the screw holes in the mounting plates are spaced 1 3/8 inches apart at the center. Before deciding which anchors to buy, consider what you want your shelves to hold. 2.1 Steps by step guide: How to Hang a Shelf without Drilling Holes?. I know that these shelves will be very heavy, but I wonder if it is possible to anchor them to studs through the drywall, or if I will need to do something more difficult to ensure that the shelves are stable. Have someone help you hold the shelf against the wall. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Hang-Floating-Shelves-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Hang-Floating-Shelves-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/43\/Hang-Floating-Shelves-Step-1.jpg\/aid9775748-v4-728px-Hang-Floating-Shelves-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"