How to Hang Open Shelves in a Kitchen
Open shelves in a kitchen allow easier access to items such as canned goods or even cooking equipment, such as pots and pans. Building your own open shelves also gives you the ability to tailor the shelves to your needs. You can add as many shelves as you can fit in the room, or you can add a simple shelf for storing small items. The end result is up to you. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Stud finder
- Tape measure
- Miter saw
- 1-inch by 8-inch boards
- Paint or stain
- Polyurethane
- Angle brackets
- Screwdriver
Instructions
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1
Locate the studs in the wall and mark the three consecutive studs. Standard stud spacing is 16 inches on center. This means the stud spacing between the three studs will be 32 inches. Add an additional 8 inches to allow for 4 inches of overhang.
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2
Determine how many shelves you want to install on the wall. This depends on your needs. Allow at least 15 inches between each shelf to give adequate room for storing items. For this example, let's assume you want to install four evenly spaced shelves with the top shelf 30 inches from the ceiling.
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3
Cut 1-inch by 8-inch boards to 40-inch lengths, using a miter saw. Cut one board for each shelf you want to install.
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4
Finish the wood shelves with stain or paint, and then apply a hard-coat polyurethane finish. Allow adequate time for drying before you install the shelves on the brackets.
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5
Place an angle bracket against the wall 31 inches from the ceiling and over the left stud you marked. Mark the mounting holes in the bracket on the wall.
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6
Drill pilot holes with a drill and drill bit, and then secure the bracket to the wall with the supplied hardware and a screwdriver.
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7
Place the next angle bracket against the wall 31 inches from the ceiling and over the center stud you marked.
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8
Place a bubble level on top of the first and second bracket. Raise or lower the second bracket until the level indicates the two brackets are level. Mark the mounting holes in the bracket on the wall and then secure the bracket to the wall. Repeat the process with the third bracket.
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Place the shelf on the top of the angle brackets and center the shelf. You should have 4 inches of shelf overhanging each outside bracket.
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10
Secure the shelf to each bracket with ¾-inch screws and a screwdriver.
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Measure down from the bottom of the shelf 31 inches, mount three more brackets in the same manner as the first shelf and then mount the shelf to the brackets. Repeat this procedure for each additional shelf.
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Tips & Warnings
You can modify the measurements to suit your needs or your kitchen's design. For example, if you want narrower shelves for holding canned goods, you can reduce the width of the wood to 4 inches. If you want more space between the shelves, you can increase the distance between each shelf. If you want longer shelves, you can mark out four or more studs.
