Putting up shelves checklist
The job that goes wrong is drilling first and thinking about the wall second. Work out what's behind the plaster before anything else.
17 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- Stud or cable/pipe detectorRun it before drilling anything — finding a pipe with a drill bit is the expensive way to find out.
- Spirit level
- Pencil and tape measure
- Drill, with the right bit for the wall — masonry or wood
- Wall plugs rated for the wall typePlasterboard needs a cavity fixing, not a standard plug — a plug alone pulls straight back out under weight.
- Screws, matched to the bracket and long enough to reach a stud
- Brackets×2One per support point, sized for the shelf's actual depth, not just what looks tidy.
- Bracket spacing checked against expected weightBooks need supports closer together than a shelf holding ornaments — the gap between brackets is usually what fails first, not the fixing itself.
- Wall checked for what's behind it before drilling
- Studs or joists located and marked
- Pipes and cables checked for, especially near sockets and above skirting
- Test hole drilled shallow firstA small pilot hole confirms what's behind the wall before committing to the full-size one.
- Bracket fixed level, checked with the spirit level before tightening fully
- Shelf offered up and marked before final fixingCutting or drilling to a mark made in place beats trusting a tape measure across an uneven wall.
- Weight tested gradually once fittedLoad it a bit at a time over the first day rather than stacking everything on immediately.
- Dust sheet below the work areaDrilling into plaster or masonry makes more mess than expected.
- Filler for any missed holes or a bracket moved after the first attempt
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- How do I know if there's a stud or joist behind the wall?
- A stud detector is the reliable way — tapping for a hollow sound works roughly but misses noggins and finds pipes the hard way.
- What fixing should I use in plasterboard with no stud behind it?
- A proper plasterboard cavity fixing rated for the weight, not a standard wall plug — a plug in plasterboard alone pulls straight back out under load.
- How much weight can a shelf actually take?
- Whatever the weakest fixing is rated for, not the shelf material. Check the fixing's stated load and stay well under it for anything heavy like books.