How to Install Wall Shelves to Display Baseball Trophies

Mark the locations of wall studs with a pencil. Use a stud finder with an electronic sensor to mark the left and right edge of three studs on the wall you want to install the shelves on. The studs should be about 16 inches apart, which is ideal for your shelving unit.

Make a mark with the pencil between the two marks on one wall stud. Drill a 1/8-inch pilot hole into this mark using a power drill. This will be the top of your shelving unit, so ensure it’s at a proper height before you drill.

Hang the first twin-track standard by drilling one 2 1/2-inch-long screw through the standard’s top hole and into the pilot hole you drilled in the wall. Don’t over tighten the screw, so the standard hangs freely.

Hold a level vertically along the edge of the hanging standard until it reaches a perfect vertical. Create a pilot hole through the standard’s bottom screw hole. Drive a 2 1/2-inch screw through.

Tighten the top and bottom screws. Drill two more screws into the wall through the standard’s other holes.

Hook a shelf bracket into this secured standard and an unattached standard at the same level. Hold the unattached standard to the wall between the stud that is 16 inches away from the secured standard, and lay the level across the two brackets.

Raise or lower the unattached standard until the two standards are level. Mark the top screw hole’s location with a pencil. Attach the second standard to the wall the same way you attached the first.

Repeat this process of making the shelves level to attach the third standard another 16 inches over.

Hook the remaining shelf brackets in place so each standard has three brackets. Slide one shelf onto each bracket, for a total of three shelves.

Drill an 1/8-inch pilot hole through a bracket’s mounting hole. Drill halfway through the shelf. Hold the shelf in place with one hand, and drive a 1/4-inch flat head screw into the bracket to secure the shelf. Repeat the process with the other brackets and shelves.

Fill the shelves with your trophies. If the height of a shelf needs to be adjusted, unhook the shelf’s brackets from the standards and reposition the shelf to a better height.