How to Anchor Shelving to Sheetrock

Anchoring shelving to drywall requires the right materials and tools.

If you're installing shelving to drywall, one of the most important decisions you'll make is how to anchor the shelving to the wall. Drywall, or sheetrock, has many desirable characteristics for building and remodeling, but take care when anchoring shelves to it that you use the correct materials and techniques. A simple screw or nail pounded into drywall will not have the necessary gripping power to hold shelves upright and snug to the wall, if they're heavily loaded or moved by accident.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Drill
• Hollow wall anchors with screws
• Hammer
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Place your shelving unit against the wall. Mark the location of the mounting screw holes on the wall with a pencil. Remove the shelving unit.

2. Drill holes slightly smaller than the size of the hollow wall anchors, using a drill bit that's slightly smaller than the diameter of the hollow wall anchors.

3. Mount the hollow wall anchors in position on the holes. Tap them gently with a hammer to drive them into the wall. Remove the screws from the anchors.

4. Place the shelving unit against the wall and line up the mounting screws with the wall anchors. Place the anchor screws through the mounting screw holes and into the anchors. tighten the screws until they're tight.

Tips & Warnings

• Shelving comes in many forms and varieties -- but the techniques used in this example can be employed to anchor almost any type of shelving.

References

• "How to Plan & Build Bookcases, Cabinets & Shelves"; Craig Bergquist: 1987
• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Editors of The Family Handyman; 2005