How to Install Wood Shelves

Fitting a shelf is a fairly simple process with perhaps most of the work coming from choices made over the types of wood, screws, etc. before commencing with the job. It is best to be familiar with a power saw, though a simple hand saw will suffice. These days it is good to know that shelf kits (including brackets and screws) are available, and cut down on preparation before installation.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden shelves
• Shelf brackets
• 1 1/2- or 2-inch screws
• 1/2-inch screws
• Hand drill
• Pencil
• Tape measure
• Stud finder
• Spirit (bubble) level
• Power or handsaw
• Sandpaper
• Stain and polyurethane.
• Wall plugs

Instructions

1. Measure and cut the desired length of each wooden shelf, sanding the ends to remove any splinters. If desired, stain the shelves to the right color and polyurethane them with at least one coat for extra endurance and a glossy shine.

2. Mark the desired height on the wall using a pencil for each shelf, drawing a level line (using a spirit level) on the wall the length of each shelf.

3. Mark where each stud exists (using a stud finder) along each penciled line, screwing the brackets into the desired studs.

4. Rest the shelves on the brackets at the right position before screwing each bracket (with 1/2-inch screws) to the shelves.

Tips & Warnings

• Decide what type of wood you want to use (pine, oak, etc.) as well as the width depending on the purpose for the shelves. For example, a DVD shelf might require shelves 6-inches wide, where a collection of large encyclopedias might need shelves 8- or 10-inches wide.

• Depending on the shelf width, choose the corresponding sized shelf bracket.

• Decide what type of screws you want: a shelf in an outside shed would require galvanized screws, where for an interior shelf you may decide to use brass if it works with the color of the brackets' 1 1/2- or 2-inch screws should be sufficient, but if the shelf is to hold a considerable amount of weight, longer screws may be required.

• Decide whether you want to stain and polyurethane the shelves, or perhaps choose a natural wood look.

• It is recommended that for shelves holding up heavier items, brackets should be screwed to the wall every other stud. For aesthetic reasons it is best to balance to number of brackets used (example, one near each end of the shelf, or four equidistant from each other, etc.).

• If no studs can be found, wall plugs can be used (get the correct size for the screws you use) by punching a hole into the sheet rock for the wall plug to be inserted.

• If the wall is made of wood instead of sheet rock, no stud finder is required as screws can screwed into the wooden wall .