How to Hang Wire Shelving in Drywall

Wire shelving can be decorative or simply for storage.

Wire shelving can be a decorative highlight in the living room, and also an effective storage solution for the kitchen, laundry room or a closet. Most wires shelf designs have loops for screws to hang them. If the shelving will be used for storage, drive these into something solid. Since drywall isn't solid, you have to screw into the studs behind it. If you can't place the shelves to take advantage of these, use wing anchors or molly bolts to hold the screws.

Things You'll Need

• Stud finder
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill
• No. 2 Phillips bit
• 3-inch screws
• Level
• Wing anchors
• Drill bits
• Molly bolts
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Tap on the wall or use a stud finder to find a stud near where you want to hang the shelves. When you find one, measure from the floor to the intended location of the shelf hanger with a tape measure and make a pencil mark on the drywall in front of the stud. If there is no stud, make a mark on the drywall at the proper height for the hanger.

2. Drive a three-inch screw through one shelf hanger through the drywall and into the stud, if there is one behind, using a drill and Phillips bit. If there is no stud, drill a hole for a wing anchor or molly bolt. If you are using a wing hanger, this hole should be large enough to push the wings through. If you are using a molly bolt, the hole should be wide enough so that the bolt sleeve will slide in and fit tightly.

3. Insert a wing anchor into the hole, position the hanger in front of it, and drive a three-inch screw through the hanger and into the anchor. The wings of the anchor will spread as you drive the screw, holding the anchor to the drywall from behind. If you are using a molly bolt, unscrew the bolt from the sleeve and tap the sleeve into the hole with a hammer until the opening is flush with the wall. Position the hanger in front of the sleeve and drive the bolt. The sleeve will expand against the drywall as you do this.

4. Level the shelf with a level and mark the position of the hanger on the other side. If there is a stud behind the mark, drive a screw through the hanger into the wood. If there is no stud, make a hole for a wing anchor or molly bolt, insert it, and drive a screw to hold the shelf.

5. Mark the positions of all the other hangers if the shelf is a large one. If you are lucky and there is a stud behind each hole, drive a three-inch screw into each hanger.

6. Unscrew the screws holding the shelf and remove it if you have to install more wing anchors or molly bolts. Drill the holes you need, insert the anchors or bolt sleeves, then re-mount the shelf on the two original hangers and drive the rest of the screws you need to complete the installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Molly bolts can support more weight than wing anchors, up to 50 lbs. If you plan to support more weight, consider buying a shelf that has hangers with the same spacing as your wall studs.

• Do not rely on conical plastic wall anchors to hold shelves with any weight on them. These are not very strong and prone to slipping out.

References

• The Natural Handyman: You Can Hang Almost Anything With Wall Anchors
• Home Tips: How to Install a Wire Shelf Closet Organization System