How to Hang Shelves with Brackets: The Most Efficient Ways

Lisa J. ThompsonJanuary 28, 2022

142 4 minutes read

If you wish to add more storage solutions in your home while saving horizontal space at the same time, the best thing that you can do is to take advantage of the available vertical space in your home by installing hanging shelves.

Wall shelves can accommodate the items you want to display or in the case of kitchen shelves, the household things that you would like to have easy access to.

The Most Efficient Ways on How to Hang Shelves with Brackets

Most shelves are designed to carry lightweight items. That is why these shelves may bring damage to the walls if heavy objects are placed on them.

If you plan on displaying heavy things on your shelves, you may want to make use of shelf brackets as these tools can support more weight than installing shelves alone.

In this article, we will explore two ways on how to hang shelves with brackets.

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2 ways on how to hang shelves with brackets

Technique #1: Using L-Brackets

If you are hanging only one shelf, you may want to use L-brackets.

What You Will Need:

Technique #1: Using L-Brackets

Stud finder
Shelf L-bracket
Wood screw
Level
Wooden shelves
Pencil
Power Drill

Step #1: Locate the studs in your wall.

Using the stud finder, look for the studs in your drywall. Once you find them, mark their positions with the use of a pencil.

Step #2: Position the first L-bracket.

Decide the height of the shelf. Place the first bracket over the first wall stud according to the desired height.

One leg of the bracket must be pointing away from the wall and the other pointing towards the floor.

Once you have gotten the position where you want to attach the bracket, mark it with a pencil.

Afterward, attach the bracket to the wall stud using a wood screw with the right thickness.

With a power drill, let the screw pass through the mounting holes on the leg of the bracket that is pointing towards the floor to the wall stud.

Watch this video to know how to do this step.

Step #3: Attach the second bracket.

Place the matching L-bracket at the same height as the first mounted bracket.

Put a level on top of the two brackets then adjust the second bracket until the bubble on the level is already centered in between the reference lines in the level’s glass tube.

This indicates that the two brackets are already at the same height.

Secure the position of the second bracket and attach it to the wall stud using a power drill and wood screws. Once attached, remove the level.

Step #4: Place the wooden shelf.

Put the wooden shelf on top of the brackets. The back edge must be facing the wall.

Using a screw, attach the shelf to the brackets through the mounting hole in the leg of the bracket that is facing away from the wall.

Pro Tip: When choosing wood screws for attaching the shelf, please keep in mind that the screws must be slightly less thick than that of the shelf.

Technique #2: Using Shelf Standards

If you plan on affixing multiple shelves in one location, this may be the technique that you need.

What You Will Need:

Technique #2: Using Shelf Standards

Stud Finder
Pencil
Wall Standard
Level
Wood Screw
Shelf Bracket
Shelves

Step #1: Find the studs in your wall.

User the stud finder to locate the studs in your wall. Once you find them, mark their location with a pencil.

Step #2: Attach the first standard.

Place the wall standard vertically over one stud.

Put the level on the edge of the standard and adjust the position of the standard on the stud until the bubble in the level is already in the right spot.

Affix the standard to the stud using a wood screw passing through the round mounting hole.

Step #3: Align the second wall standard.

On the neighboring wall stud, position the second wall standard. Place brackets in the same mounting slots on both standards.

Place a level on top of those two brackets. Adjust the height of the second standard until the level indicates that the brackets are already level.

Remove the level from the standards and check if the second standard is already in line with the wall stud. If it is, you can proceed on attaching the standard to the wall using wood screws.

To know how to use a level, please watch this video

Step #4: Place the shelf over the brackets.

Put the shelf over the brackets. You can add more brackets and shelves (following the same steps) to the standard to enjoy more storage space.

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In Summary

Hanging shelves is not as difficult as most people think. In fact, a lot of people hang their shelves on their own without encountering any difficulties.

If you want to add storage solutions in your home, you need to keep in mind the steps and tips on how to hang shelves with brackets that we have provided above.

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