FAQs About Hanging Shelves

Hanging shelves sounds like a simple enough task, but doing this little project right actually takes a fair bit of work and consideration. To ensure that all of your shelves are hung just right, read up on some of the most frequently asked questions about hanging shelves.

Q: Do you have to find the studs to hang a shelf?

A: Sometimes all you want to put up is a light decorative shelf for knick-knacks or pictures. You might think that finding the studs for such a small task is pointless, but there are good reasons to use the studs. For one, using the studs gives your new shelf maximum support which ensures that none of your valuables go crashing to the floor when screws pull out of plain drywall. Second, driving nails or screws into plain plaster walls can cause a lot of unnecessary damage. Since studs are usually spaced 16" apart, locating them is easy even without a stud finder if you already have pictures or shelves hanging in a room.

Q: What hardware should you use to hang a shelf?

A: There are three common ways to hang shelves: with anchors, molly bolts and screws or nails attached directly to the studs. Anchors are typically plastic or very thin metal which are only suitable for small or light shelves. Molly bolts are sturdier than anchors, and they also support wider shelves with larger loads. With that said, nails or screws driven directly into the studs are the most reliable. At the same time, it is the most cost effective shelf mounting solution.

Q: How can you make sure your shelf is straight?

A: Before you start mounting your shelf, hold it against the wall where you want to mount it. Next, use a level to mark a straight line above the shelf. While you are mounting your shelf, you can use this line to ensure that you stay straight in your positioning.