Think vertical and add more space to any room with versatile bracket wall shelves. More than decorative wall accessories, wall shelves combine practicality and style, letting you display books, collectibles, or other items tucked away in fabric-lined baskets. Bracket style wall shelves are an easy do-it-yourself project when you follow these step-by-step instructions.

Supplies and Tools

In addition to the shelving, brackets and standards (the metal bars that hold the shelving), you will need a power drill, drywall screws, level, pencil marker and stud finder. You may also need a hand saw and toggle bolts or plastic wall anchors. Note that the screws should be at least one inch long and sized to fit into the holes of the standards.

1. Locate Wall Studs

For the most secure mount, it’s important that at least one standard of each shelf is mounted into a wall stud. A home improvement store will carry a variety of affordable stud finders that will take the guesswork out of locating a stud.

2. Level and Install Standards

As mentioned above, standards are the metal bars that hold shelving brackets in place. To securely support shelves over thirty-six inches in length, use three standards. Otherwise, your shelves will sag and possibly crash under the weight of the load.

• Locate a well stud and use one drywall screw to attach the first standard to the wall but do not screw it in all the way. Use a level to correct the vertical alignment, then attach additional screws and sink them securely.
• Determine the proper distance for the next standard, depending on the width of your shelves and mark the location. Check with a level to ensure that the second standard is mounted at the same height as the first standard and mark the location.
• If the second standard will not be screwed into a wall stud, use toggle bolts that will securely hold the weight of the shelves and contents. Plastic wall anchors can be used if lightweight objects are going to be set on the shelves, but check the packaging for load limits. In either case, be sure that wall anchors will fit through the holes in the standards and install them as directed on the packaging.

3. Install Brackets

Set the brackets in place by inserting them into the slots on the standards. If the brackets are shorter than the depth of the shelves, mark the locations of the bracket tips on the bottom of the shelving boards and use a saw to notch the shelves so that they can accommodate the tips. However, check the load rating of the shelves and take care not to overload them.

4. Install Shelves on Brackets

Choose ready made laminate or wood shelving, or purchase inexpensive wood planks cut to your specifications. Sand the edges and stain or paint them as desired to coordinate with your decor. Lay your shelves on the brackets and your shelves are ready to display your books, magazines, collectibles and wood decor, toys or any item that needs a new space.

All text copyright Shanel. Photo from Flikr - "My comfy bed with in-wall shelving" courtesy of puroticorico.