How do you hang shelves on drywall?

To hang shelves on drywall, you need a stud finder, a pencil, a level, a tape measure, a drill, screws, a screwdriver and shelf brackets. This shelf-hanging project should take about 30 minutes when working alone.

1. Locate the studs

   Use a stud finder to locate one stud behind the drywall. Once you locate a stud, measure 16 inches in either direction to find the adjacent studs. Mark the location of each stud with a pencil. Consider drilling a small hole to test the location, as the shelves must be screwed directly into the studs to support even a moderate amount of weight.

2. Determine the shelf position

   Use the tape measure to mark the height at which you are going to hang the shelf. Use a level to verify that your measurements line up, and mark where the screws and brackets will go. You can make a paper template based on the shelf and place it on the wall if you wish.

3. Install the shelf

   Use the drill to make the holes for each anchor. Lightly tap each anchor into the wall, and place the bracket over it. Fasten each anchor and bracket in place with a screw. Once each bracket is secure, put the new shelf in place.