How to Mount a Shelf With Wood Shelf Brackets

Everyone needs a single shelf somewhere in their home. I will show you how to mount a shelf measuring 3/4" X 10" X 36". To support the shelf, I'm using two cherry concave 8 shelf brackets from Tyler Morris Woodworking. One shelf bracket is mounted to a wooden stud and the other is attached to drywall only using Toggler drywall anchors.

I'm aware that the shelf brackets have a 250 lb. capacity rating and the Toggler brand drywall anchors have a 200 lb. capacity rating. I plan on using my shelf for books and small objects. It's safe to assume that this load will not cause my shelf to fail.

Tools and Materials

I'm the owner of TylerMorrisWoodworking.com and I'm using two of our Cherry Concave 8 shelf brackets and a 3/4" X 10" X 36" shelf. The simple tools required to install your shelf are the following; 4' level, 9" level, hammer or mallet, drill, drill bits, masking tape, pencil, screwdriver and a stud finder. You will also need hardware for mounting the shelf to wooden studs and to drywall only. This includes #10 x 2 1/2" flat head wood screws, 10-24 X 2" flat head machine screws, #8 X 1 1/4" flat head wood screws and Toggler brand drywall anchors. You will also require 7/16" button head wood plugs.

Layout and Planning Part 1

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 001.jpg

My plan is to mount the shelf about 6" to the right of some existing molding and...

Layout and Planning Part 2

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 002.jpg

...about 66" off the floor.

Layout and Planning Part 3

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 005.jpg

Then I use my 4' level to create a level line from my 66" mark.

Planning and Layout Part 4

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 006.jpg

I place a mark along my level line to represent the end of my shelf. In my case, at 36".

Planning and Layout Part 5

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 007.jpg

Using my stud finder, I locate 2 wood studs along the 32" span. I determine that there is a stud located 7" from the right edge of the shelf and another stud 13" from the left edge of the shelf. The stud located 7" from the right edge of the shelf looks appealing and will certainly do the job. Naturally, I want the shelf to look balanced. Therefore, I will mount the left shelf bracket 7" from the left edge of the shelf. I will install this shelf bracket to the drywall only using Toggler brand drywall anchors.

Important Safety Considerations:
You obviously don't want to drill into plumbing, gas lines, or electrical wiring. There are many intuitive techniques for determining where these potential dangers live behind your walls, however it's best to consult a professional or if possible, your house plans.

Mounting to a Stud Part 1

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 008.jpg

I line up the shelf bracket to the center of the right stud and 66" line and make it plumb using a 9" level. I then mark the upper and lower pilot hole locations with a pencil.

Mounting to a Stud Part 2

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 011.jpg

I drill an 1/8" pilot for the upper and lower holes.

Mounting to a Stud Part 3

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 013.jpg

I then screw the shelf bracket to the stud using two #10 X 2 1/2" flat head wood screws.

Mounting to Drywall Part 1

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 018.jpg

Next repeat Step 8. Except this time disregard the 66" height line. The important thing is to locate this bracket level to the installed one. Also, use the 9" level to make it plumb.

Mounting to Drywall Part 2

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 024.jpg

Like Step 9, drill your upper and lower holes. However, this time drill 1/2" holes to accept the Toggler brand drywall anchors. Insert the anchor into the hole until it seats against the other side of the drywall.

Mounting to Drywall Part 3

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 023.jpg

Then slide the flange down the cable ties until it firmly fits inside your 1/2" hole. Next snap off the excess cable ties by simply moving them side to side.

Mounting to Drywall Part 4

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 027.jpg

Attach the shelf brackets using two 2'" long 10-24 flat head machine screws.

Plug Screw Holes

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 029.jpg

Plug the screw holes with 7/16" cherry button plugs. Tap them in with a rubber mallet or a hammer with its head wrapped with a soft rag.

Attach Shelf

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 031.jpg

Now is a good time to erase/clean off your layout pencil lines. Then place shelf atop the brackets. Drill pilot holes in the underside of the shelf using a 3/32" drill bit wrapped with masking tape at 1 1/4" from the tip so you don't drill through the shelf.

Attach the Shelf Part 2

Instructables-shelf bracket installation 033.jpg

Lastly, fasten down the shelf using two #8 X 1 1/4" flat head screws.