How to properly put up a new shelf in your home
Do you consider yourself to be handy around the house? Government statistics show that the UK’s first lockdown in 2020 saw an increase in people tackling gardening and DIY tasks, in a bid to stave off the boredom and ensure their time was used productively.
From major projects like redecorating and renovating to minor jobs such as fixing leaky guttering, there are no end of household tasks that may have caught our attention over the past year or so. But what about fitting shelving? It’s usually the go-to example of basic DIY, and there are plenty of different shelving design ideas out there to inspire us, but do you know how to fit one? Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to help you.
Gather the tools you need
First of all, you need to make sure you have the appropriate tools for the job. For this, you’re likely to need a pencil, tape measure, drill, screwdriver, wall plugs, screws and a green laser level for precision. After all, you don’t want any books or ornaments to go sliding off a shelf with one side fitted higher than the other.
Find your space on the wall
If you’re fixing to a solid wall, your shelf should be held secure no matter where you drill your holes. With a stud wall, however, it gets a little trickier as you’ll have to perform a tap test to find out where the timbers are.
Mark the position of your brackets
Once that’s done, you need to take accurate measurements to ensure you’ll be fitting the shelf exactly where you want it. Be sure to carefully take into account its height and its placing in relation to other features such as any pictures already on display. Once you’ve worked that out, mark the bracket holes using a pencil.
Drill the holes
The type of wall will determine which drill you use. For solid walls you’ll need a masonry drill whereas stud walls will require a wood drill bit. Using the wrong bit could leave you with gaping holes that are not fit for taking the screws, so make sure you select the correct one. Test the holes to ensure they are deep enough to hold the screws before moving on to the next stage.
Fit the brackets and the shelf
If you’re fixing to a solid wall, you’ll need to insert plastic wall plugs first, which give the screws something to grip. Once those are in, fix the brackets to the wall using a screwdriver – an electric one will be much more powerful and efficient. Finally, fit the shelf to the brackets and voila! You’ve mastered one of the fundamental DIY tasks!
