Once you can put up a shelf you’ll have mastered the basic DIY techniques needed for hanging everything from paintings and mirrors to wall cupboards. It’s easy when you know how and follow two basic rules - making sure the shelf is absolutely level, and using suitable wall fixings so that the brackets are secure.

First decide what vertical distance you want between the shelves making sure they’re far enough apart for your needs. The heavier the load, the more supports you will need. Make sure brackets are a minimum of 400mm apart for bookshelves or when fitting glass shelves.

Check that the screws are the right size for the brackets and long enough to take the weight, and that the wall plugs and drill bit size are compatible. ‘Universal’ wall plugs cover a range of common screw sizes.

Mark a line along the wall where the shelf will be, using a spirit level to check that it’s straight. Hold the brackets in place and mark the screw holes, before checking the horizontal with a spirit level once more.

If you’re placing the shelves on a solid wall you’ll need to use a masonry drill bit to make holes for the first bracket, about 40mm deep where marked. For breeze block or hollow plasterboard walls, use an ordinary drill bit the correct size for the fixing. When working on wood, use a bradawl to start the screw holes as that will stop the timber splitting.

Once the hole has been made, push in the wall plugs until they are flush with the surface, and loosely screw the bracket into place, keeping a check that it is vertical with a spirit level.

Repeat with the furthest bracket and check both vertical and horizontal levels. Repeat until all the brackets are in place, carefully checking the levels each time and adjusting as necessary.

Screw the brackets firmly into place on the wall and position the shelf on the bracket. Mark the position of the small retaining screws that secure the shelf to the bracket. Remove the shelf and make small ‘pilot’ holes in it before replacing the shelf on the brackets and screwing into place manually.

 

Browse our huge range of Screws, Nails and Fixings so you can find the right bits for the job.