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How to install floating shelves

A completed and mounted floating shelf, holding vases and books

Overview

Floating shelves are a simple, stylish addition to any room – and they're so easy to install! Here's how.

Steps

1Gather your tools and materials

Below are all of the tools and materials you'll need to complete this project.

2Work out where you want your floating shelf to go

Before you do anything else, figure out where you'd like to hang your floating shelf. Once you've got a spot in mind, use a stud finder  to locate any wall studs – this is where you'll want to fix your bracket. Stud finders are great – just run them along flush to the wall, hold down the sides and they'll beep when you've located a stud. You can also set them to check for wires – handy if you're putting your shelf up near a TV or any wall sconces. If your bracket doesn't line up with a stud – no worries! The kit we're using comes with extra wallmates.

A Bunnings team member finding the stud beam in a wall

3Measure up

Use a spirit level to make sure you hang your bracket straight – once the bubble is in the centre, you're good to go. Draw a horizontal line on the wall  and mark up your holes with a pencil, including the all-important central hole.

A spirit level being used to align floating shelf supports

4Screw in your bracket

Drill a hole into that centre point (between your wall studs) and screw one of your wallmates into position. Once you've done this, grab one of your kit's screws and drill straight through the wallmate – then you're good to screw in the remaining screws to each end. Use your level again to check everything's still straight.

Bunnings team members mounting floating shelf supports

5Slide your shelf on

Make sure your holes are at the bottom and slide your floating shelf straight onto the bracket. Once this is done, grab your final two short screws and screw them through those bottom holes into the bracket to stop your shelf coming off.

 

A floating shelf being positioned on wall mounted supports

6Admire your handiwork

You're ready to style! Floating shelves look great as bookshelves or as displays for photos or keepsakes. Get creative!

7Watch more from the series

Watch the full episode and more D.I.Y. projects from Make It Yours Episode 4: Lounge Makeover by Rachel-Lee and Rachel Aust.

Inspiration from the Bunnings Workshop community

Floating timber shelf

Workshop member Pete built this custom floating timber shelf for his son’s nursery that sits above an antique dresser perfectly colour matched to the wallpaper on the opposite wall.

View project
A floating timber shelf with books and toys above a green chest of drawers
Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.