How to hang shelves securely: A beginner-friendly guide

Wall shelves are a great way to save floor space, declutter your home, and enhance decor.

However, hanging a shelf can leave you doing calculations and worrying about the weight of your items, the type of shelf to choose from, and how to mount it on your wall correctly.

Keep reading to learn how to hang shelves safely using the right tools and methods.

Choose the right type of shelf for your space

There is no right or wrong answer when choosing a shelf. Instead, the choice depends on the factors below.

• Purpose of the shelf: Are you looking to store things like books, kitchen items, or toys? You’ll need a sturdy shelf that can hold heavier weight. Is your focus on storage? Go for something with enough space to accommodate your items, like an adjustable shelf. Plus, you can tweak them over time. For decor, floating or glass shelves are excellent for creating a sleek and minimalist look. If your goal is closet organization, adjustable or fixed shelving will offer the benefit of customization as your needs change.
• Material and style: The material you pick for your shelves should match your style and what you need. Wood gives a warm, natural look and works in many settings but needs a bit of upkeep. Metal shelves are sturdy and modern but might not fit every room style. Glass shelves add elegance but are less durable. 
• Weight capacity: If you plan to store bulky items, choose a strong shelf made of solid wood or metal. A lighter shelf will do if you’re just putting up lighter things like small decorations or plants. Always check the shelf's weight limit before putting anything on it to avoid accidents.
• Type of installation: Think about how you want to install the shelf. Wall-mounted shelves are great because they don’t take up any floor space, which is perfect for smaller rooms. A freestanding shelf is a good choice if you don’t want to drill holes in the wall, and you can move it around whenever you want. Floating shelves are also popular because they don’t have visible brackets and look modern. Corner shelves are great for using empty corners in a room, and ladder shelves are fun and stylish, especially in casual spaces.
• Room size and layout: Room size matters when mounting a shelf. Floating or narrow wall-mounted shelves are great for small spaces. You can opt for freestanding bookcases or built-in shelves with more storage in larger rooms.

When to choose floating shelves

Floating shelves are a great option when you’re aiming for a minimalist or modern look. However, they lack traditional support and are best for displaying light items that don’t require heavy-duty support. 

If you’re interested in knowing how to hang floating shelves, it’s essential to note that they need to be securely mounted using anchors or screws that can hold the weight of the shelf and the items you plan to display. This is especially important because, without proper installation and support, the shelf could become unstable and risk falling, damaging both the shelf and your wall. 

Prepare your tools and workspace

Before you hang a shelf, gather all the tools needed to make the installation process smooth and safe. 

You’ll need: 

• a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall,
• a level to make sure your shelf is straight,
• a drill for making holes,
• a measuring tape to measure the distance,
• a pencil for marking,
• and anchors/screws to secure the brackets or hardware.

Ensure you check for pipes and cables behind the wall before drilling. Drilling into pipes can cause leaks, flooding, and water damage, while drilling into electrical wires can lead to electrocution and fire. 

Finally, measure the distance at least two times to ensure the accuracy of your markings before drilling.

Find studs or choose the right anchors

Studs are the vertical wooden beams (aka structural framework) in your wall that offer the strongest support, making them the ideal anchor point for your shelves. Without anchoring your shelf to studs, you rely solely on drywall, a soft material not designed to support heavy loads. Over time, the weight of the shelf and its contents will cause the drywall to weaken, leading the shelf to pull away from the wall and fall.

The easiest way to locate studs is to use a stud finder, a small handheld tool that detects the edges of the studs behind the drywall. Simply move the stud finder along the wall and mark the spots where it indicates a stud. Typically, they are placed 16 or 24 inches apart, so once you find one, you can estimate where the other studs are located.

If you don’t have a stud finder, gently tap on the wall and listen for the difference in sound. A hollow sound symbolizes empty space, while a solid sound is a stud. You can also use a small magnet to detect screws or nails attached to the studs behind the drywall. Slowly move the magnet along the wall until it sticks to a metal fastener, then mark the spot.

If you’ve tried either method and can’t find a stud where your shelf is located, you'll need to use drywall anchors. They expand behind the drywall as you screw them in and offer good support for light to medium loads.

Other alternatives are toggle and molly bolts that spread out behind the wall when inserted and offer support for medium weights.

Mark and level your shelf placement

When you decide on the desired height of your shelf, use a tape measure to mark the spot on the wall. If you’re using two brackets, measure the distance between them, then use a level to check that your marks are straight. Place the level across the two bracket positions and adjust until the bubble is centered. This ensures both brackets are the same height, and your shelf will sit at a level.

If you’re installing multiple shelves, follow the same steps for each one, starting with the first shelf. Next, use a piece of scrap wood or ruler to measure the gap between the shelves to keep the spacing consistent.

Once you’ve confirmed the bracket positions are level, mark the drill holes with a pencil. This way, you’ll know exactly where to drill.

Install your brackets or mounting hardware

Drill pilot holes at the marked drill spots. Screw the brackets into place and tighten until the brackets are secure, but be careful not to overtighten as this can damage the wall or the bracket itself. Once the brackets are firmly attached, your shelf is ready to be mounted.

If you're looking for a faux floating look or minimalistic look, you can hang your shelves without visible brackets using corner braces. To install, measure and mark the placement of the corner braces inside the shelf, drill pilot holes for the screws and mount the braces to the wall and the underside of the shelf. 

Hanging a shelf without drilling

We've got you covered if you’re renting a place and looking for no-drill options or if the shelves are a temporary setup. How to hang shelves without drilling? One solution is to use heavy-duty adhesive strips. Press the strips to the back of the shelf, then press the shelf to an already marked wall. You can also use tension rods or no-drill shelf systems. 

However, it’s important to note that these no-drill options are typically best for light to medium loads. In addition, adhesive strips and tension rods may not work well on textured, painted, or uneven surfaces. So, ensure you’re using no-drill methods on smooth, clean walls.

Mount and finish your shelf

After installing the brackets and corner braces earlier, it's time to mount and finish your shelf. Place the shelf on the brackets or slide it into the hidden hardware. If needed, secure the shelf with short screws from underneath to make sure it stays in place. After the shelf is mounted, check with a level to ensure it’s perfectly straight. If any pencil marks remain on the wall, erase them to leave the area looking neat and clean.

What is the best way to hang shelves?

The best way to hang your shelves ultimately depends on the weight of the items you're storing, whether you're comfortable with drilling into the wall, the type of shelf you choose, and the material of your wall. If you decide to drill, especially for heavier items, you can always fix the hole in the wall with a joint compound and a putty knife. Simply apply the compound, smooth it out, and let it dry before sanding it for a clean finish.