Steps for Installing Floating Shelves

Floating shelves in just about any room of your house are a great way to affordably add character and dimension to your walls. The tricky thing about floating shelves, though, is the installation process. To make sure you don't end up with a wall full of holes, here are some steps to consider. 

Buy the Right Hardware

Depending on how much weight will go on your floating shelves will determine what kind of brackets that you need. For instance, if you are just going to be putting lightweight decorative accessories on them, then you can get away with small brackets. However, if you are going to be putting dishes, pots, books, or anything heavy on your shelves you'll need heavy duty floating shelf brackets. When installing any type of shelf bracket, make sure that you use a molly bolt instead of a regular screw because it will anchor into the wall and give your shelf more support. Visit your local hardware store to learn more about floating shelf brackets.

Use a Level

Eyeballing hanging picture frames around your house may work, but when you are hanging something like floating shelves, make sure that you use a level. When a floating shelf is off by even a quarter of an inch, you will be able to tell as soon as you walk into a room. Before you even start drilling, mark on the wall where the holes are going to go with a pencil. Then, take your level and measure from hole to hole and make sure it's 100% level. If it's off at all, now is your chance to move the mark before you drill through into the wall. 

Make Sure There's Enough Space Between Each Shelf

Nothing will be quite as frustrating as installing floating shelves and then realizing that you don't have enough room in between them to display what you've been wanting to. Before you hang your shelves, measure the height of the items you plan on displaying to make sure that there is plenty of room for them. If you aren't sure what you're going to display, leave several extra inches just in case. 

Floating shelves are an interior design trend that doesn't seem like it's going out of style anytime soon. Keep these tips in mind when you go to install your shelves so that you end up with something that looks like it's out of a custom catalog.