Hinged shelves with hidden fastening (they are also called floating) fit perfectly into any interior, do not overload it visually and at the same time look very light and floating. On such shelves you can store books, souvenirs, flowers and other little things. It is not necessary to buy them in the store. This master class is just about how to make such shelves with your own hands.
What will you need
sanded plywood 8 mm thick, pine blocks 1-1.5 by 2 cm, approx. meters, a hacksaw, emery, paints (in this version, glossy white), self-tapping screws, a screwdriver (screwdriver), brushes, a level.
Shelf drawings
Progress
The design of the shelf consists of two parts: a frame - the holder of the shelf and a sleeve that is put on the frame.
First, we make a holder from pine bars 1 by 2 cm thick (it can be thicker). It will take 2 bars 70 cm long (this is our shelf length), 2 bars 20 cm each and 5 bars 18 cm each. We connect them all as in the diagram with self-tapping screws.
The sleeve is made of two plywood rectangles 72.5 by 21 cm, between which there is a “p”-shaped base of bars (see diagram).
When all parts of the shelves are ready, you need to sand them with sandpaper or a grinder and paint the sleeves.
Now, using a level, screw the shelf holders to the wall.
We put on a sleeve on top. All is ready!
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Even in the largest apartment, rational storage organization greatly simplifies the life of the owners. When utensils, interior items, books and electrical appliances are in their place, they are very easy to find. But if there are a lot of things, then in addition to ordinary cabinets and cabinets, shelves will become a real salvation.
The right shelf will decorate the interior and give it a complete look. It is worth taking care not only about the aesthetics of the product, but also about the technical parameters. Any shelf must be securely fixed to the wall and withstand the weight of objects located on it. All this is ensured by the selection of special fasteners - brackets for the shelf.
What are the brackets
Shelf brackets differ in their shape, material, style direction and maximum load. Photos of shelf brackets, which can be found in accessories catalogs or on the Internet, allow us to distinguish 3 main forms:
Angle bracket. One of the easiest ways to mount a shelf. Structurally, it consists of two strips connected by a rib or a jumper for greater rigidity. By means of a vertical bar, the support is attached to the wall, and the horizontal part serves to mount the shelf itself.
Rectangular brackets. The method of fixing to the wall is similar to the previous one. A distinctive feature - the bracket allows you to install 2 shelves at once under each other.
Mounting type Pelican. The support got its name due to the similarity of the lower part with the beak of a bird. Most often used as a bracket for glass shelves. But you can also find it paired with a chipboard or metal shelf.
This type of shelf holder has a collapsible design that divides the device into movable and fixed parts, a screw pair and a seal. The fixed part is attached to the wall, a clamping element with a rubber or silicone gasket is inserted from above. A shelf is clamped between the two parts with a screw.
Most models can withstand loads up to 30 kg. At home, it is very rare that the mass of a shelf with contents exceeds this figure. But for warehouses or retail outlets, it makes more sense to mount shelves with reinforced shelf brackets.
The increased thickness (from 3 mm or more), the addition of additional stops and ribs make the element durable. It withstands a significant load without deforming.
Bracket material
- metal or alloy (steel, aluminum, bronze, cast iron);
- natural solid wood, chipboard, MDF;
- gypsum.
From an operational point of view, a metal shelf bracket is the ideal choice. Choosing it, you can find strict, concise models in the spirit of minimalism or artsy forged supports. The latter will perfectly fit into the style of fusion, gothic or rococo. Although forging is less and less common in the interior due to its high cost, a shelf with ornate supports will become the highlight of a living room or hallway.
Gypsum holders are recommended for the classic design of the room. They can be standard white or gold-plated. Ceramic figurines, porcelain sets and elegant vases look harmoniously on such shelves. You should not worry about the bearing capacity of stucco molding: it is all reinforced with metal fittings.
For connoisseurs of country style, shabby chic or Provence, wooden brackets are suitable. A winning option is a deliberately aged wood with a rough natural texture or painted to match the interior.
Choosing the right bracket
So that the purchase does not disappoint, you need to find out in advance which bracket is better to choose. A few practical tips:
A high-quality shelf holder always has a manufacturer's warranty card with the specified characteristics and maximum load. It will not be superfluous to ask the seller about the possibility of replacing or returning an unsuitable product.
Before making a purchase, the complete set of the bracket must be checked: in addition to the product itself, the corresponding fasteners must be included. So, manufacturers of shelf brackets complete corner models with four self-tapping screws and two dowels.
If for some reason there is no self-tapping screw in the kit, then you should purchase it yourself. The diameter and length of the hardware depend on the material of the wall (drywall, concrete or brick) and on the load.
The free end of the shelf (console) should not protrude beyond the brackets by more than 10 cm. It is optimal if the length of the supporting part of the bracket is 2/3 of the total width of the shelf.
Don't forget the decorative value of the shelf bracket. You can stop at hidden modifications that give the shelf weightlessness and lightness. Or you can go the other way - and choose a massive holder, making it a full-fledged element of the interior.
Photo brackets for shelves
Stages of fastening a shelf to a hidden fastener
1. Assessment of the strength of the wall / partition on which the shelf will be installed.
The thickness of a concrete partition from 100 mm or a brick partition of 250 mm is a condition under which the shelf can be installed without additional supporting structures, without fear of consequences. With thinner walls or partitions, as well as with plasterboard and cinder block walls up to 100 mm, it is theoretically possible to install a shelf with hidden fastening, but only for decorative purposes with a very small load on the shelf.
2. Selection of shelves with optimal thickness and depth.
This must be done so that its functionality is fully realized and the weight of the load is appropriate for its capabilities. For example, the thickness of a bookshelf should be between 45mm and 60mm.
3. Selection of fasteners.
If the fasteners are not supplied with the shelf, select them based on the type of wall on which you will hang the shelf.
Types of hidden fastening
There are several types of hidden fasteners. Among them:
1) Hidden hinges
Mounting features:
For correct installation, it is necessary to accurately determine the distance between the centers of the loops;
The drilled holes are filled with a cork into which the screws are screwed;
The screw is screwed in deeply, BUT the distance between its head and the wall should be sufficient for hanging loops.
2) metal rods
Mounting features:
Usually, reinforcing pins or threaded studs with a diameter of at least 10-12 mm are used for such purposes - one part of them is inserted into the wall, the other into the grooves of the shelf;
Before installation, it is necessary to mark the length of the shelf on the wall in the place where it will be located;
On each side, mark a distance equal to the thickness of the shelf x 3, and drill holes of the desired diameter in the wall and, if necessary, in the shelf;
Next, we insert the rods into the wall half of their length, it is proposed to fix them with synthetic glue or resin;
Insert the second part of the rod into the shelf.
If the concealed fastener is supplied with the shelf, the scenario will be slightly different. The installation process can be seen in the video:
Everyone wants to fix a shelf on the wall in such a way that it fits perfectly into the overall design of the room. It is not difficult to solve such a problem at all. Absolutely anyone who has free time and a set of necessary tools can nail a shelf to the wall.
As the main support for the shelf, you can choose an anchor bolt, thanks to which you can securely fasten the piece of furniture.
Its dimensions are as follows:
- diameter up to 12 mm,
- length - 180 mm.
The anchor bolt must have a thread on one end to screw the anchor into a wooden surface, and on the other end to screw it into a metal socket.
For the basis of the shelf, you can take a piece of board from a window sill with artificial turf.
The dimensions are as follows:
- thickness - 25 mm,
- width - up to 200 mm.
There are only two mounting options:
- classical,
- hidden.
A hidden option for fixing shelves is needed in cases where decorative elements are absolutely not combined with protruding fasteners. Fixing shelves in this version is just as easy as in the traditional one.
Sequence of work
Before you mount the shelf to the wall, you need to know that the thicker the shelf, the thicker the support should be. A hole is drilled in the end part, on average, 5 mm below the surface. All holes for shelves in the wall must match, otherwise it will be quite problematic to fix them.
Attaching the shelf to the wall:
- A rail of the desired length is considered a template. It is applied to the end of the shelf and a hole of the desired diameter is made, after which it is applied to the wall.
- The next step will be drilling, which must be done with maximum accuracy.
In order to attach the shelf, you will need:
- electric drill,
- threaded coupling,
- brackets,
- rail - template,
- wood glue,
- screws.
Installation of a corner shelf (video)
Shelf mounts from the store
A shelf that you bought at a hardware store can be very difficult to fix on the wall. Be sure to read the instructions that came with it. Most likely, it will contain all the necessary recommendations on how to screw the product to the wall.
Next, you need to understand what type of fastening the shelf has. Usually, complete with a shelf and instructions, elements are also attached to it, with the help of which the product is fastened. It is also necessary to choose brackets, thanks to which the shelf will be fastened.
Brackets may vary:
- fasteners that do not extend beyond the shelves;
- flat brackets with pear-shaped holes at the end.
To make the fastening of the shelf from the store to the wall, carefully carry out the measurements that were given above.
Steps for attaching the shelf to the wall:
- Based on the possible dimensions of the shelf, you will need to decide on the place where the fastening will be made. Choose the right place so that other furniture in the room does not interfere.
- Using the building level, you need to control the position of the product.
- Nests are preliminarily created in the walls so that after this procedure it is possible to safely attach the shelves. These nests are made with a perforator or drill, and then dowels are driven into the resulting holes.
- After that, the shelf is fixed to the wall.
- The final stage is the screwing of the elements for fasteners into the holes.
How to hang shelves on the wall (video)
Thus, it was clearly shown how to mount any shelves on the wall. Fastening is carefully planned and only after the development of the plan do they start work.
Shelves in the interior of a modern room perform two main functions: they become a convenient stand for books, useful items or nice trinkets, and they also help emphasize the original style. Not only the aesthetic component is important, but also the technical side, that is, the quality of the products and the way they are fixed. Let's try to figure out when it is necessary to use the traditional fastening of shelves on the wall, and when - secret or unusual.
A modern room without shelves seems unfinished: often they are the touch that puts an end to the interior design. If you look into the catalog of furniture sets, you will notice that in addition to cabinets, beds and chests of drawers, these miniature products are always present there. They come in various shapes, colors and sizes, but always correspond to the general style direction.
Two in one: bright decor and comfortable interior items
Both visual appeal and functional qualities largely depend on strong and reliable fasteners for shelves on the wall, so this article will be more devoted to metal corners, easy-to-mount brackets, tricky invisible hooks and studs.
Inconspicuous fasteners do not detract from the design
When buying ready-made furniture sets, fittings and material for fixing are usually supplied as a set, but often there is a desire to make an original decor with your own hands, and then it is important to choose the right method of fastening.
It would seem that there is nothing easier than hammering a couple of nails into the wall and hanging a shelf with pre-attached "ears" on them. But not everything is so simple. In addition to the most important task - to find the most suitable place - it is necessary to answer a number of questions: what nails, where exactly you need to attach the "ears", will such fasteners withstand the weight of the structure?
Beautiful metal corners "for forging"
Consider the simplest option with corners. Suppose we have an ordinary wooden shelf - a simple horizontal product without decorative elements. We select the tool and material, guided by the following list:
- metal corner (2 or 3 pieces, depending on the length);
- ruler, pencil, construction tape measure;
- laser level;
- drill and drills;
- screws or dowels.
If the base is wooden, then ordinary nails can be used instead of self-tapping screws.
One of the options for fixing the corner
Instruction:
- We choose the most suitable place. Try to choose a site that is within reach - that is, not too high (a mistake of many amateur designers). Do not clutter up a surface that has already been decorated (for example, with paintings or photographs), it is better to choose a free space. We apply the product and see if it fits well into the interior. If everything suits, we proceed to the next stage.
- We carefully consider the bottom of the board and try to choose places for fittings. A set of ready-made metal mounts for shelves to the wall can be bought at a building materials store. We attach them to the lower part of the structure: we drill small holes with a small drill and fix the metal elements with self-tapping screws.
- We make markup. Again we put the shelf to the chosen place, in the holes on the corners we make marks with a pencil, preferably in each hole.
- We drill holes in the base with a drill, trying to hit the marks exactly. For concrete slabs, it is better to use dowels.
- We put the shelf in place so that the holes on the corners and in the wall match. We twist the screws, trying to ensure that they enter evenly and smoothly. The hanging process is complete.
- We admire the result, arrange toys, vases, books.
Decorative fasteners are an additional decoration
Building Tricks: Hidden Fasteners
All kinds of metal corners for shelves on the wall, convenient brackets, building profile are appropriate only if they are correctly selected and fully meet the stylistic features of the room. But sometimes the technical details do not fit with the environment and you have to go for the trick - use one of the methods of secret fastening.
Decorative composition without unnecessary details
There are several generally accepted options, with the help of which invisible elements provide a tight fit and rigid fixation. Consider the three most popular:
- hidden loops;
- wooden block;
- metal rods.
The first way is the most popular. Hinged flat loops are attached to the back of the shelf, then the structure is suspended on pre-screwed self-tapping screws. The main thing is to accurately measure the distance between the loops, otherwise the extra holes will “give out” the technical trick and ruin the idea. To align the horizontal, we recommend using a building level.
The second way is to string the base of the product on strong metal pins implanted in a concrete slab or brickwork. The role of the pins can be played by pieces of reinforcement or steel threaded studs of the required diameter provided for this. The heavier the product (together with potential filling), the more studs will have to be screwed into the wall. For guaranteed stability, the cross-section of fasteners for wooden shelves should not be less than 12 mm, the length depends on the conditions.
The third option is the installation of a bar with a square or rectangular section, which subsequently acts as a base. Masking will take place if the thickness of the bar and the thickness of the shelf hung on it match perfectly. The connecting parts between the two surfaces are dowels - wooden pins. To enhance strength, before connecting the parts, they are lubricated with glue.
Wall set of three different designs
If your interior design did not include the use of additional visible elements, hidden fittings will help out.
Original ways of hanging shelves
Traditional methods are suitable for placing simple, uncomplicated structures in the interior in the form of a single horizontal board or a product resembling a glass box. However, the imagination of modern designers is so rich that it allows you to create amazing structures in the form of labyrinths, trees, flowers, snakes. Fasteners can be as unusual as shelving, although in some cases all the same secret hinges or decorative corners are appropriate.
Consider several options for how you can mount shelves to the wall if an unusual project is chosen for implementation.
Non-standard interior solutions
Using a familiar object - a wooden board 17-20 mm thick - you can create a design that is unique in design. Geometric figures of different colors scattered on the wall, the silhouette of a bat with spread wings, an angular tree branch, a huge spiral - stands for interior accessories can take on the most incredible incarnations.
An original composition from a multi-level shelf throughout the wall in a teenager's room
A very simple but interesting solution is to create a family tree. Shelves-branches on both sides are attached to a vertically located panel - the trunk. The design is so simple that it can be built on your own in one evening. To match the theme, individual boards are painted in natural colors. The fixing material remains invisible in both solutions.
Light and elegant composition of elements of contrasting colors can decorate the kitchen, living room or bedroom. Pay attention to fasteners: concise light corners do not spoil the overall picture, as they successfully merge with the tone of the wallpaper. The weight of the product is small, so hidden pins could also be used for installation.
Contrasting composition
If you use decorative wooden coasters, you get a more heavy picture.
Leather strap option
Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most surprising, and a couple of improvised details can be a great interior decoration. A leather belt acts as a fastener for a wooden shelf (an ordinary polished board). The material of manufacture is not necessarily genuine leather, it can be an artificial analogue or even a wide textile tape. The main quality of suspensions is durability.
Cozy retro composition with belts
It is obvious that a horizontal board on hangers, not additionally fixed, will not be able to withstand a stack of heavy books and is not a reliable support for crystal souvenirs. Its purpose is to serve as a decorative wall element, and you can place small souvenirs, accessories, and light objects on it.
Fasteners for belts are a pair of long screws with plastic dowels, which will be at some distance above the original decor. The procedure looks like this:
- we paint the boards in the desired color, if it is necessary to preserve the texture, we varnish it;
- we prepare two old identical belts (or new ones bought in a store);
- fold the ends of each belt, trim, drill small holes at a distance of 2-2.5 cm from the edge;
- using a drill and a hammer at a distance of 60-70 cm, we fix the dowels;
- we fasten the ends to the dowels so that the belts in the form of loops hang down;
- insert the board into the prepared loops, align it horizontally.
It turned out a neat beautiful decorative stand. You can complicate the composition by building one more of the same tier below or above.
Caution: fragile glass
Glass in the interior plays a special role. On the one hand, it is a reliable material that can withstand a lot of weight, on the other hand, it is a fragile material that is easy to break with one awkward movement. For shelves, specially tempered, extra strong glass is used, which is difficult to break even with a hammer. We do not recommend forming parts of the required dimensions on our own; it is better to order cutting in a glass processing service.
Decorative metal brackets for glass shelves
Here's what is surprising: transparent planes create the illusion of a free, uncluttered space, which is why glass decor is often used in rooms with a limited area. To fix the glass panels, special brackets made of metal and plastic are used with soft elastic gaskets on the inside.
Long metal spokes act as fasteners
To make the installation, we first fix the brackets: we fix the dowels, insert the screws that come with the bracket into them, not forgetting to put on the washer. We fasten the brackets, check whether they are evenly located in relation to each other. Insert a shelf. Sometimes, instead of wall holders, even more curious elements are used - thin metal cables or long pins resembling knitting needles.
Metal cables allow you to create a weightless, floating structure
Handy materials are being used
In interior design, original solutions, creative ideas, fantastic implementations of seemingly ordinary projects are always appreciated. Using the usual fasteners, but replacing the traditional horizontal with some object from the environment, you can build an unusual composition that harmoniously fits into the overall style.
Drywall box in a polypropylene baguette
We will need the remnants of building materials, for example, cuttings of large-section sewer pipes that remained from the installation of the pipeline in the country. We fasten parts of the same length on long studs or do without fasteners at all: we tie the pipes with a bundle and install them on the floor.
Cozy storage systems for shoes made of plastic pipes
Old accessories do not lose their relevance, moving from the category of fashion items to the category of vintage over time. It's time to remove the traveler suitcases from the mezzanine and decorate one of the free walls with them - you get a luxurious decorative composition with a touch of nostalgia.
New life for old suitcases
Even from waste material, you can create a masterpiece if you wish. After cleaning, grinding and processing, decrepit fruit boxes easily turn into wonderful shelves that are not ashamed to decorate a nursery, hallway or bedroom.
Old boxes - retro decor
Take a look around - perhaps your eyes will find an interesting object that is bored in the corner, and your hands will turn it into an unusual wall decor. But do not forget about interesting solutions for fastening shelves to the wall: reinforced wooden brackets, forged openwork corners, barely noticeable studs, hidden pins.
Work with drywall: accurately and accurately
Whether driving nails into wooden logs or punching holes for dowels in a concrete or brick wall with a drill, we know for sure that fasteners will not fail and last as long as it takes. But with drywall, everything is more complicated. Convenient, quickly erected interior partitions are not a reliable basis for hanging wall decor.
Illuminated shelves inside a plasterboard box
There are two ways to attach shelves to a drywall base. The first is designed for light, small-sized structures, the second - for heavy, weighty products.
To mount a light shelf, you should perform the usual technical procedure: carefully drill holes, trying not to crumble the material, screw in dowels, then screws. Reliability can be increased with the help of special dowels - "umbrellas" or "butterflies".
Butterfly dowel installation scheme
Massive interior items are fixed differently. Their installation must be provided before the construction of the partition. In the places where they will be located, an additional vertical or horizontal metal profile or wooden bars should be installed, to which self-tapping screws or bolts will be attached.
Experts insist on anchor bolts, as they consider them the most reliable for hanging heavy objects.
Interesting videos contain useful information that will definitely come in handy during repairs or landscaping.
How to hang a shelf purchased in a store with hidden loops:
One of the methods of invisible fastening is eccentrics:
Drywall work:
As you can see, the variety of fasteners gives you a great opportunity to choose shelves of all kinds of designs. Knowing the secrets of hanging wall elements, you can independently decorate the room with a new piece of furniture. If you still have complications or questions - contact professionals who know a lot about fasteners.
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