How to put up a shelf
Quick answer: Decide the height, mark the bracket positions with a spirit level, check for cables and pipes, drill and plug the holes (or use plasterboard fixings or fix into studs), screw the brackets on and lay the shelf on top. Put brackets about every 40 to 60 cm.
A shelf looks simple, but the strength is in the fixings, not the shelf. A shelf full of books can weigh 20 kg or more, which is far more than most plasterboard fixings take.
Spend your time on the marking out and the fixings, and the rest is easy.
What you will need
- Shelf and brackets (heavy duty if for books)
- Pencil, tape measure and spirit level
- Cable, pipe and stud detector
- Drill with masonry bit, wood bit and driver bit
- Wall plugs and screws suited to the wall
- Plasterboard fixings if fixing into a stud wall
Step by step
Plan the position
Decide the height and length. Check nothing is in the way, like a window or a door that opens.
Check behind the wall
Scan with a detector for live cables and pipes. Avoid the areas above, below and to the side of sockets and switches.
Mark the bracket positions
Hold a bracket where you want it, with the spirit level on top, and mark the screw holes with a pencil. Do the same at the other end. Keep brackets about 40 to 60 cm apart, and within about 10 cm of each end.
Drill the holes
On brick or block, use a masonry bit the same width as the plug and drill slightly deeper than the plug. On a stud wall, find a timber stud with the detector and screw into it, or use proper plasterboard fixings rated for the load.
Fit the plugs and brackets
Push in the plugs, then screw the brackets on firmly. Check each is level, with a spirit level across both.
Fix the shelf
Lay the shelf on the brackets and screw it down from underneath with short screws, so you do not go through the top.
Test it
Press down on the shelf gently, then load it gradually. If anything moves, stop and refit with stronger fixings.
Tips
- Work out the weight you want to put on it. Use more brackets or heavier fixings for books and ceramics.
- Floating shelves hide the fixings but need a solid wall or a stud to hold their weight.
- Paint or seal bare wood before fitting, it is easier to finish before it goes up.
Stop and get help if
- Your detector finds a cable or pipe where you want to drill.
- The wall is hollow with no stud where you need one and the shelf is heavy.
- It is a very long or heavy shelf, such as a kitchen wall unit or a fitted wardrobe.
- You are not comfortable using a drill.
Would you rather we did it?
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Common questions
How far apart should shelf brackets be?
About 40 to 60 cm for most shelves, closer for heavy loads. Put the end brackets within about 10 cm of each end.
Can I put a heavy shelf on plasterboard?
Only with fixings rated for the weight, or by screwing into a timber stud. Standard plastic plugs are not enough for heavy loads.
How do I find a stud in the wall?
Use a stud detector. You can also knock along the wall: it sounds hollow between studs and more solid on one. Studs are usually 40 or 60 cm apart.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.