Mounting a Shelf to a Stud Anchored With a Board

Finding the Studs

• Before you can hang a shelf, you need to determine the location of the wall studs in your wall. Vertical wooden wall studs are typically spaced every 16 inches inside the wall. A stud finder, available at any home improvement store, makes it easy to find the studs. Run the stud finder over the wall, listening for beeps. Mark the position of each stud. Drill small pilot holes into each stud with a small drill bit.

The Mounting Board

• Cut a 1-by-2-inch board to the desired length. If you don't have a saw available, many home improvement centers will cut lumber to length for a small fee. Paint or stain the mounting board as desired. Hold the width of the mounting board against the wall and screw through the 1-inch depth of the the board into the studs. Use 1/4-by-3-inch screws for a sturdy mount.

The Shelf

• Decide on the finished width of your shelf. The shelf could be a narrow 4-inch display up to a wider 8-inch bookshelf. Cut your shelf to the same length as the mounting board or slightly longer. Stain, paint or finish the shelf to match the mounting board. Place the shelf on top of or below the mounting board, as you prefer. Hold it securely and screw through the shelf and into the mounting board.

Variations

• While a mounted shelf is the simplest option, you can also use a similar strategy to create a floating shelf. A floating shelf is a hollow shelf. Purchase a pre-made floating shelf or construct one using a purchased hollow core door. The mounting for a floating shelf is similar to a shelf anchored with a board, but the mounting board sits inside the shelf rather than below or above it.