Floating shelves are a fantastic way to add style and functionality to any room in your home. Custom size floating shelves, especially handmade floating shelves, offer a unique and personalized touch that fits perfectly with your space and style. However, installing these shelves can feel intimidating, especially if you want to avoid creating a mess. The good news is that with the right tools, preparation, and techniques, you can easily install these shelves without disrupting your home.
Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure a clean and efficient floating shelf installation process, no matter the size or design of your custom shelves.
Tools and Materials You’ll Need
To install your handmade floating shelves correctly and without creating a mess, it’s essential to have all the right tools on hand. This will save you time and prevent unnecessary disruptions to your space.
Here’s a list of the materials and tools you’ll need:
- Custom size floating shelves (pre-made or handmade)
- Wooden brackets (included with some shelves or custom-made)
- Stud finder (to locate studs behind your wall)
- Level (to ensure the shelves are perfectly horizontal)
- Tape measure
- Drill with appropriate bits
- Screwdriver
- Screws (for securing brackets and shelves)
- Pencil (for marking drill spots)
- Painter’s tape (optional, but useful for neatness)
- Drop cloth or plastic sheeting (to protect floors and furniture)
- Vacuum or dustpan (for cleaning up any dust)
By having everything ready, you can stay organized and keep your home clean during the installation process.
Step 1: Choose the Perfect Location
Start by choosing where you want to place your custom size floating shelves. The beauty of custom shelves is that they can be tailored to fit your space perfectly, whether you’re looking to fill a narrow corner or create a striking feature wall. If you’re considering corner floating wood shelves, they are an excellent way to utilize underused corner space and add a functional and decorative element to a room.
Using a tape measure, carefully measure the height and width where the shelf will go. Once you’ve chosen the location, use a level to draw a horizontal line, ensuring that your shelves will be straight when installed.
If the shelf is large or heavy, it’s important to ensure that it is centered and aligned properly, so double-check your measurements before drilling into the wall.
Step 2: Protect Your Space
Before you begin drilling, protect your surroundings from dust and debris. Drop cloths or plastic sheeting can help catch any falling dust or particles, and painter’s tape can be used to mark the area and protect surrounding surfaces. By covering the floor or nearby furniture, you can keep your space clean while you work.
Moving furniture or clearing the area around the installation site is also a good idea, especially when installing handmade floating shelves that can have a larger or more intricate design.
Step 3: Locate the Wall Studs
To ensure the shelf is securely mounted, it’s essential to attach the brackets to the wall studs. Use a stud finder to locate the studs behind the wall. Mark the location of the studs with a pencil so you know where to drill for maximum stability.
If the wall studs don’t align with the location of your shelf, you can use wall anchors to secure the brackets. Wall anchors are designed to provide extra support when drilling into drywall, ensuring your custom size floating shelves hold their weight.
Step 4: Install the Wooden Bracket
Your handmade floating shelves may come with wooden brackets that you’ll need to install first. These brackets will be hidden inside the shelf once installed, contributing to the floating effect.
To start, screw the wooden bracket into the studs in the wall. Ensure the bracket is level by checking with your level tool before securing the screws. The bracket should be tightly fixed to the wall to support the weight of your shelf without shifting.
When drilling, go slow to avoid creating excess dust. If any debris falls, use a vacuum or dustpan to clean it up as you go. This will prevent a mess from building up around the installation area.
Step 5: Attach the Shelf to the Bracket
Once the wooden bracket is securely attached, you can proceed to mount your custom size floating shelf. Slide the shelf onto the installed bracket, ensuring it fits securely.
For a tight, stable installation, screw the shelf into the bracket from the top. This will prevent the shelf from shifting or falling out of place. Double-check the alignment with your level to make sure the shelf is even and properly installed.
Step 6: Clean Up the Installation Area
Once your handmade floating shelves are securely mounted, it’s time to clean up any dust or debris. Use a vacuum or dustpan to collect any particles left from drilling, and wipe down the shelf with a soft cloth to remove any dust from the surface.
After cleaning, take a step back to admire your handiwork and ensure the shelf is properly secured. You’re now ready to decorate your floating shelf with books, art, plants, or whatever else you’d like!
Step 7: Enjoy Your Floating Shelf
With the installation complete and your space cleaned up, enjoy your new custom size floating shelves. Whether you’ve installed them in a living room, kitchen, or hallway, these shelves add both style and function to your home. Their unique, personalized size and design make them a standout feature in any room.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to install custom size floating shelves with ease, creating a clean and stylish display for your home. With the right tools and preparation, you can enjoy a neat and efficient installation process, whether your shelves are large or small.
