How to Install a Wire Shelf

Adding wire shelving to unused closet or garage space is an easy do-it-yourself project. Purchase the right length of wire shelf along with the corresponding wall clips and support braces appropriate for your wall type—and you're all set. Here are the steps for installation.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire shelf
• Wall clips
• End brackets
• Support braces
• Bubble level
• Hammer
• Pencil

1. Check your specs. How long should the shelf be? How many adjacent walls are you attaching it to? What type of wall do you have? The answers will determine how many wall clips, support braces and end brackets you will require, and how they will be attached to the wall. Wall clips must be about 12 inches apart; support braces must be 2 to 3 feet apart. Installing a shelf on drywall requires an anchor or molly for every screw.

2. Purchase the shelf and all the accessories. Some shelves are sold as complete kits. Check if they are appropriate for your type of wall.

3. Use a level and a pencil to mark the locations of the wall clips. Nothing looks more poorly done (and potentially hazardous) than a crooked shelf.

4. 
   Install wall clips.

   Install the wall clips according to the manufacturer's instructions. You might need to drill pilot holes before attaching the wall clips.

5. 
   Hang wire shelf on clips.

   Hang the wire shelf on the wall clips.

6. 
   Use a level.

   Raise the shelf to estimate the location of the end brackets. Use a level to mark the installation points. Raise the shelf higher than the installation points and then install the brackets according to the manufacturer's instructions. Lower the shelf into position on the brackets.

7. Install the support braces underneath the shelf. Each brace will have a top part that should be attached to the shelf and a lower part that should be screwed to the wall. Use a level to ensure that the brace is correctly supporting the shelf.

Tips & Warnings

• Some home improvement stores help customers by cutting wire shelves to the desired length at no cost. If you want to do it yourself, cut the shelf to size using a jigsaw with a blade designed for cutting metal.
• Strive to install the shelf as level as possible to eliminate undue strain on any particular side or area of the shelf.
• Making pilot holes on drywall doesn't require a power drill; an awl or a small Phillips screwdriver is good enough. Be sure the pilot hole is smaller than the anchor or drywall screw.
• Don't scrimp on the wall clips and support rods, because most of the weight of the shelf will rest on them. The closer they are together, the more stable the shelf is and the less likely the weight of the shelf will dislodge the clips from the wall.

Resources

• Closetmaid.com
• Rubbermaid.com