The Best Way to Mount Floating Shelves Without a Disaster

April 3, 2025

Strong, Stylish and Secure: How to Mount Floating Shelves Like a Pro

So, you’ve picked out the perfect floating shelves—sleek, modern and ready to show off that dreamy candle collection or your growing pile of crime thriller novels. But before you reach for the drill, take a breath! Mounting floating shelves isn’t just a "screw it and hope" kind of job. Get it wrong and you could end up with plaster crumbles, sagging brackets or worse—a shattered mug your kid made in year two. Let’s talk about how to get it right the first time, without the drama.

It Starts with the Wall (No, Seriously)

Not all walls are created equal. Some are solid brick. Others feel like they’re made of wet paper. Knowing what’s behind your paint job is the real key to success when mounting anything, let alone shelves that are expected to hold actual weight.

Got a solid brick wall? Great. You’re working with a reliable base. Grab a hammer drill and some masonry plugs, and you’re halfway home.

Working with plasterboard? That’s a bit trickier. You’ll need special anchors designed for hollow walls. And it’s worth finding a stud behind the wall—not the chiselled-jaw type, but the timber beam kind. That'll give your shelf real holding power.

Choose the Right Brackets (Or Let Them Be Invisible)

Floating shelves get their name because there’s no visible hardware. But trust me, screws and brackets are still the unsung heroes holding everything up. Some shelves come with pre-attached mounting systems. Others, you’ll need to pair with hidden brackets that slide inside the shelf and anchor into your wall.

If you’re doing open shelving in the kitchen or big display shelves in the living room, don’t cut corners here. Ask the team at Strathalbyn H Hardware for brackets that suit your shelf’s material and size. They’ve seen every DIY mishap under the sun, and they’ll make sure you don’t become the next cautionary tale.

Level Before You Drill (Every. Single. Time.)

We all get a bit cocky with our trusty eye. “That looks straight,” we say. But when the shelf’s up and your ornaments start looking like they’re doing the limbo, regret kicks in fast. Use a spirit level. Pop it on top of the bracket and check both ways. If it’s not bang-on, adjust before drilling.

A simple trick is to mark your drill points using masking tape across the wall. That way, you can check your spacing and alignment without turning your plaster into Swiss cheese.

Use Wall Anchors Where Needed

If you’re not hitting a stud, wall anchors are your best friend. But not all are made equal. A plastic plug might handle a picture frame, but floating shelves need wall anchors that spread weight properly. Look for toggle bolts or metal wall mates for the heavy stuff.

One retired teacher I know—let’s call her Glenys—mounted a row of shelves for her teacup collection. She used the wrong plugs, and one rainy night while she was doing a puzzle, down came thirty years of Royal Doulton. Don’t be a Glenys. Choose the right anchor.

Don’t Overload Them

Yes, floating shelves look minimalist and magical. But they have limits. If your brackets are rated for 10kg, don’t stack them with 15kg of university textbooks and a cast iron pot plant. Use that handy "hold and test" technique—load it lightly first and see how it feels. If there’s give or wobble, take it down and rethink your setup.

Get Help If You Need It

Installing shelves solo sounds easy, until you’re balancing a drill, trying to hold a spirit level and yelling at a bracket that won’t sit flush. Grab your partner or that helpful neighbour with the solid biceps. Or tap into the expert help from your local hardware legends. At Strathalbyn H Hardware, the crew is more than happy to talk you through the process, recommend the best products, and maybe even tell you Glenys’s story in full dramatic detail.

Wrap Up – Shelves That Stand the Test of Time

Mounting floating shelves is one of those jobs that looks easy until you’re knee-deep in dust and lopsided lines. But with the right tools, a bit of planning and some good advice, you’ll get that crisp, clean finish you’ve been dreaming of. Whether it’s displaying treasured keepsakes or just keeping the pantry tidy, do it once and do it right—and your walls will thank you.

Happy drilling and even happier styling!

Cheers,
Candeece