We bought a small older home that had a previous renovation done where they knocked out a wall to extend the kitchen which left an awkward space between windows. I wanted to add in some small open shelves for decorating but that could also be used to hold cups/bowls if I wanted. On checking, there wasn't a stud behind whre I wanted the shelves so I asked my dad to come to help me and teach me how to install shelves using hollow wall anchors. While he was there I also wanted to install a long shelf in a bedroom using the same method so here is what we did.
- Measure, measure, measure! Make sure you know the exact length and height of the space you are planning for. Draw up a plan so you know exactly what you need.
- Took a trip to Bunnings to buy timber, shelf brackets, screws, hollow wall anchors and a wall anchor fixing gun. Luckily I found that cutting a 184mm x 19mm x 2.4mm piece of timber into 3 (2x same small size and 1x long) would be the perfect sizes for what I need for 3 shelves so I bought the timber and took it to the Bunnings cutting area for a Bunnings Team Member to trim it to the measurements I needed. (I'd never used this free service before but found it very handy!) I also found 2 styles of brackets that I liked. We also bought hollow wall brackets, a wall anchor fixing gun and some screws.
Before and After - kitchen and bedroom
Lots of shelf brackets options
Chosen timber
- We went home and my dad helped us install the shelves using the wall anchors to ensure they were straight (always use a spirit level) and could bear enough weight as needed.
I was so happy with the end result and used only a few tools for a unique look. I decided not to stain the pine as i liked the raw look but I could always choose to stain or treat it later.
