Master Grazia’s life skills

Paul Davey from Wickes explains how to put up floating shelves that will stay up...

Before you buy your shelf, check what weight it can take – floating shelves, in particular, are not suitable for very heavy items. You also need to know about your wall – is it masonry (brick or concrete) or stud (vertical timber batons on to which plasterboard is attached)? If the latter, fit the shelf brackets to the timber studs. The brackets should be the same width as the timber studs. You need wall plugs for a masonry wall or timber drive screws for a stud wall, as well as brackets and screws.

You will need a pipe, stud and cable detector so you can identify where your cabling and water pipes are; a drill; masking tape; hammer; spirit level; screwdriver; pencil; safety goggles or glasses, and gloves. Use the detector to check there are no pipes and cables where you want to put the shelf. Once you know where your shelf is going, place one of the wall brackets at the required height, making sure any securing holes are at the bottom. Next, measure the distance for the next bracket, and using a spirit level to ensure it’s straight, mark its position. It needs to be exactly level with the first mark or your shelf will slant.

Mark the length of the wall plugs on the drill bit using tape. Put your goggles on and drill holes into the wall where your marks are, going in as far as the tape markers on the drill bit. If you’re drilling into masonry walls, switch your drill into hammer mode. Insert the wall plugs into the holes, tapping them gently with a hammer so they sit flush with the wall. If you’re using timber screws, screw them directly into the timber. Fix the bracket in place and slide the shelf on to the brackets, securing on the underside.