How to Build a Simple Single Kitchen Shelf

Open shelves in the kitchen not only give you more room for your dishes and spices, they add an airy look to the space. A simple kitchen shelf takes little more than a wall bracket and a plank of wood. Make sure the wall bracket is strong enough to support what you want the shelf to hold, as dishes are heavy when you stack them up.

Stud finder
Tape
Measuring tape
Pencil
Drill
Metal bracket
Level
Length of wood
Screws
Shelf

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the stud finder on and run it over the kitchen wall until it locates the studs behind the wallboard. Mark the place where each stud is with a piece of tape. Each stud is usually placed 16 inches apart. You will need at least two studs to hold your shelf.
- 2
  Mark the wall with the pencil over one of the studs at the height you want the shelf. Measure from the center of one stud to the center of another stud in a straight line and mark it. Make sure marks are even so the shelf doesn't hang crooked.
- 3
  Place the bracket against the wall over the spot you marked. Mark with a pencil through the holes on the bracket. Drill screw holes into the studs on the areas you marked with the pencil. Lay a level on a piece of wood long enough to span the distance between the brackets and check for level before marking and drilling holes for the second bracket.
- 4
  Place the bracket holder against the wall and drill the screws into each bracket, or use a screwdriver.
- 5
  Attach the bracket to the bracket holder if they are removable.
- 6
  Place the shelf on the bracket. Use the drill to screw the shelf into the bracket if applicable.

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