Floating shelves are a great way to add storage or display space in a small room such as a bathroom, entryway, or kitchen. They’re also super easy to install, which means you don’t need to call someone to help you. These floating shelves can get expensive if you pay for professional installation and materials. But if you save money on the project by doing it yourself, the end result is well worth it! In this post, we will show you how to hang floating shelves without using brackets. There are lots of ways that you can make this work without brackets. After reading this article, you’ll know exactly how to do it yourself and save money! Let’s take a look at some things you should keep in mind when installing floating shelves without brackets.
How To Hang Floating Shelves Without Brackets?
Hooks
Hooks are the most obvious option for hanging floating shelves. You can buy readymade shelf hooks or make your own. If you’re hanging lightweight shelves, you don’t need to drill holes or use special hardware for this method. Simply screw the shelf hooks into the wall. For heavier items, you will probably have to drill a few holes where you’ll then insert anchor hooks. This is a very common way to hang light fixtures, like chandeliers and sconces, so it’s a safe bet that it will work for shelves.
Stanchions (Especially For Lightweight Shelf)
Stanchions are a type of bracket that holds tension. You can find them in a few different varieties, including those that have a spring-loaded action to them and those that are fixed in place. Stanchions are a great option for lightweight shelves because they don’t require you to drill into the wall. They work best with thin, lightweight shelves that have an edge you can rest the stanchion on. Stanchions are a great option for thin floating shelves, but not for anything that needs to be weighed down.
Hanging Wire And Hooks
The wire is another great option for lightweight floating shelves. You can either buy a hanging kit that comes with hooks or hooks and clips at each end of the wire. Or, you can simply wrap the wire around an existing shelf and add hooks. If you’re hanging lightweight shelves, it’s important to make sure the wire has enough tension to hold the shelf. You don’t want it to sag and pull the wall out of place. For heavier shelves, you’ll want a thicker gauge wire so it can hold up the weight. If you’re using wire, make sure it has a thick enough gauge to support the weight of your shelf.
Drywall Anchors
For a quick and easy solution, you can use drywall anchors to hold your shelf. This is a great option for lightweight shelves. It’s also a good idea to use a drywall anchor if you’re hanging a heavy shelf, but not enough to support a stud. Heavy items can put a lot of pressure on the wall over time, especially if the anchor is made of flimsy material. You can buy stud finders that work with any type of wall, so they’ll help you find studs to help support your shelf. If you don’t have studs, a standard drywall anchor will hold up just fine. Keep in mind that it’s important to know how much weight your shelf is capable of holding and how much weight it’s putting on the wall. You don’t want your shelf to fall off the wall or it will create a huge mess.
Corner Brackets (Especially For Heavy Shelves)
Corner brackets are another great option for heavier shelves. They’re easy to install and can support a lot of weight. Corner brackets are best for heavy, long shelves. You can either buy corner brackets that have built-in shelf support or you can use them as a place to anchor a shelf bracket. Brackets are a great option for heavier shelves if you don’t have studs or if you’re mounting your shelves on a wall that isn’t made of wood. You may have to visit a hardware store to buy corner brackets, as they might not be available at your local store.
How To Use Command Hooks?
- One of the easiest ways to hang floating shelves without brackets is to use command hooks. Command hooks are designed to stick to many different surfaces and they’re super strong.
- You can use them to hold up the brackets and then install the shelves on top of the brackets. There are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to use this method.
- First, make sure you put the brackets on the outside edges of the shelf. That way, the hooks won’t be in the way when you’re trying to put stuff on the shelf.
- Second, make sure you use a little bit of space (short for spacer) so that the hooks don’t poke through the shelf.
Why You Should Hang Floating Shelves Without Brackets?
They’re Safer
Floating shelves are very heavy. They need to be sturdy enough to hold your books and other items. But if you’re installing floating shelves on the wall without brackets, the weight of the items on the shelf can lead to the entire shelf crashing down, possibly onto someone’s head. That’s why it’s important to secure the shelves to the wall so they don’t tip over. Fortunately, installing floating shelves without brackets is safer. You’ll be able to secure the shelf to the wall, so they’ll be less likely to tip over. This is especially important if you have small children or pets in the home. If you hang floating shelves without brackets, you risk the shelf falling on someone, which could cause serious damage.
You Can Easily Remove Them
Another advantage of installing floating shelves without brackets is that they are removable. If you need to paint the wall behind the shelves, you can easily take them down. Simply remove the nails or screws that you used to secure the shelf to the wall, and then put them back when you’re done. That’s a lot easier than trying to remove brackets from the wall. You’d have to hire a professional for that. And you may even damage the wall in the process. If you install floating shelves without brackets, you can easily take them down whenever you need to. This is great if you want to change the look of the room or try something new. You don’t have to install new brackets if you want to change the height of the shelves.
They’re More Aesthetically Pleasing
One of the most common reasons for hanging floating shelves without brackets is that it looks better. While it’s true that brackets can make the shelves look more secure, they also give the shelves a very industrial look. And they can clash with the aesthetic of your room. If you install floating shelves without brackets, they won’t stick out like a sore thumb. They’ll blend in with the wall, giving the overall look of the room a more polished and professional feel. If you want to keep the shelves but want them to blend in better with the rest of the room, you can paint them to match the wall. You can also cover the screws with decorative caps.
Tips For Hanging Floating Shelves Without Brackets
- Use the stud finder: If you want your shelves to be secure and last a long time, you’ll want to find the stud in your wall and put the toggle bolts in the stud. This will help keep the shelves from falling off the wall.
- Put the toggle bolts on the bottom of the wall: If you have a wall with a finished surface on the bottom of it, you don’t want to put toggle bolts through it. Put the toggle bolts in the unfinished part of the wall. This keeps the bolts from interfering with the finished wall and makes the shelf look more like it’s floating.
- Check the weight of the shelves: The weight of the shelves should be less than the weight the toggle bolts are rated for. For example, if the shelves weigh 50 pounds, the toggle bolts need to be rated for 50 pounds or more.
Important Things To Remember When Hanging Floating Shelves Without Brackets
- Make sure you use toggle bolts that are rated for the weight of the shelves. Using less than that could cause the bolts to break, which could damage the wall and/or the shelves.
- Using more than the shelves weigh could cause the shelves to sag in the middle.
- Use pieces of wood as spacers to prevent the hooks from poking through the shelf. You can use cardboard spacers, but they might not be strong enough to last.
- Make sure the wall is secure enough to hold the weight of the shelves. You don’t want to put the toggle bolts in a wall that isn’t sturdy enough to hold the weight of the shelves. You don’t want to cause damage to the wall or risk it falling down.
Conclusion
Floating shelves are a great way to add storage or display space in a small room such as a bathroom, entryway, or kitchen. They’re also super easy to install, which means you don’t need to call someone to help you. These floating shelves can get expensive if you pay for professional installation and materials. But if you save money on the project by doing it yourself, the end result is well worth it!