DIY hidden mount for a wall shelf. Attaching shelves to the wall without visible fasteners. Bracket material

Today, any, even the most modern and fashionable designer does not take advantage of the opportunity to use practical and stylish shelves when decorating the interior. They will not only become an integral part of the future decor, but will also serve as an excellent stand for books (mount for bookshelves), for photos and decorative items.

There are two types of shelf mounting available:


  • standard method (using hinged brackets, corners, etc.);
  • fastening shelves to the wall without visible fasteners.

We will look at the first method in more detail, since when standard version it is difficult to achieve a combination of the future interior with the target design.

  1. Preparation for fastening
  2. Detailed mounting instructions with photos

Let's consider the process of preparing the fastening

  1. The first thing you need to do is assess how much secure wall, where our shelf will be mounted directly. If it is a brick wall, then it should be at least 25 cm thick, and if you have a concrete wall, then from 10 cm, which will allow you to place not only decorative elements on the shelves.

1 – fastener;

2 – holes for installation;

3 – metal rod;

4 – hinged bracket;

5 – shelf.

2. After this, we move on to determining the thickness of the future shelf.

To do this, you must know exactly what will be placed on the shelf so that there are no deflections or deformations. You can check this by simply taking a board of approximate thickness and placing a weight on it.

  1. If the interior concept requires thicker boards, then in this case everything should be used according to the recommendations of your designer or the chosen style.
  2. You will need to take into account the mounting features, since the thickness of the shelf cannot be less than 3 cm. If books are placed, it is better to use a thickness of 4.5 to 6 cm.
  3. The future shelf will need to be thoroughly dried and soaked before processing.

How to install shelves to a wall without visible fasteners

Step 1. Measure the distance between the holes.

Step 3. After this, we apply our fastening element to the resulting axis and mark holes for it, which should be located on a horizontal line.

Step 5. After this, we clean all the holes from any remaining shavings and dust and drive wooden pegs or plugs under the dowels.

Step 6. After this, take dowels or screws and screw the fastening element to the plugs or pegs.

Step 7. After this, we proceed to installing the shelf itself on the fasteners. If the shelf does not fit very tightly, you can tap it with your palm or rubber mallet for secure fixation. It should be noted that you need to knock alternately on the left and right, this way you will prevent the shelf from skewing and it will sit evenly on the fastening element.

There is nothing for organizing space in the premises, as well as for decorating the interior. better shelves. Comfortable, functional, original in shape, they help to conveniently arrange a lot of things and give rooms more cozy view. Making shelves on the wall with your own hands is not at all difficult, and you can use a wide variety of materials - wood, fiberboard, glass, pieces of tin, plywood.

Types of Wall ShelvesDescription
ClassicThis type of shelves is the most common due to its simplicity, aesthetic appearance and ease of installation. They represent a huge flight of fancy: from simple square to creative asymmetrical shapes
CornerThis type of wall shelves differs in the method of fastening - it is carried out on adjacent adjacent walls. Most often they are mounted in utility rooms and bathrooms
HangingThis original way creating a shelf involves attaching a simple structure to the ceiling using cables or vertical posts
Floor-standingThis wall shelf is a floor support design. This type of product is especially relevant in hallways, as well as large rooms, where you don’t have to think about wasting space
Open and closed shelves on the wallWall shelves can be designed, for example, with or without glass

Making a simple wooden shelf


Wood is the most comfortable material for work. Wooden shelves are simple, complex shape, open and closed, vertical, horizontal and angular. Taking as a basis basic version, you can assemble a shelf from several modules and give it the most incredible look. In order for the product to serve for a long time, you should choose the right wood: the boards must be perfectly flat, completely dry, without cracks, voids or traces of mold.


During the assembly process you will need:

  • hacksaw;
  • drill;
  • building level;
  • pencil and ruler;
  • boards 16 mm thick;
  • stain;
  • wood varnish;
  • sander;
  • screws, brackets, dowels.

The example used is a simple rectangular shelf 250mm wide, 300mm high and 1100mm long.


Step 1. Marking

The boards are laid flat on the table and the measurements are transferred from the drawing. The height of the side walls should be 268 mm, since they will be located between the top and bottom: wall height + board thickness x 2 = 300 mm.

Step 2. Cutting the boards


If the markings exactly match the diagram, you can start cutting. It is best to use a jigsaw for this, then the cuts will be perfectly smooth and neat. You should end up with 2 long pieces and 2 short ones.

Step 3. Processing of blanks

Before starting assembly, each workpiece must be sanded, stained and varnished. If you plan to simply paint a shelf, the blanks are processed - this increases their service life and makes the paint apply more evenly.

Step 4. Assembling the product


The bottom board is laid flat on flat surface. From the ends of the workpiece, retreat 8 mm and draw 2 straight lines parallel to the cuts. Now on these lines you need to mark two points at a distance of 5 cm from the edge, and drill holes there for the screws. The same is done with the top blank. When all the holes are ready, install the side blanks on the bottom board and tighten the screws. Place a second board on top and also fix the side walls with self-tapping screws.


Brackets are attached to the ends of the side walls, holes are drilled in the wall for dowels, self-tapping screws are inserted and tightened so that they protrude by about 5 mm. The dowels must be positioned strictly horizontally, so before drilling, mark a line using a level. Now all that remains is to attach the brackets to the fasteners and hang the shelf. If desired, the back wall of the product can be filled with a piece of plywood, and glass can be inserted in front.



To be like this simple shelf has become more original; one side wall can be replaced with a stump of a thick branch. To do this, choose an even branch with a diameter of about 7-8 cm with smooth, clean bark, saw off a piece 28 cm long, and cut off all the side shoots. The chock is treated with a primer, dried and varnished. There is no need to remove the bark. After the varnish has dried, the workpiece is inserted between the upper and lower boards and screwed tightly with self-tapping screws.

Based on this drawing, you can make various variations of wall shelves. For example, reduce the length to 400 mm and make 3-4 blocks at once. Then install them on top of each other in a checkerboard pattern and secure them together using metal plates. Or simply mount them on the wall separately, placing them at a short distance from each other.


Often, to save space, shelves are made corner, and they can be mounted both in the inner and outer corners.



The blanks are made according to the scheme described above, only the upper and lower boards consist of two elements, with the ends cut at an angle. The process of making such a shelf is quite simple:

  • the halves of the top board are coated at the ends with glue and clamped with clamps;
  • repeat the same actions with the bottom board;
  • when the glue dries, all workpieces are covered with stain or primed;
  • Attachment lines are marked on the upper and lower workpieces and holes are drilled;
  • insert the side walls and secure them with self-tapping screws.

Wall shelf materialsAdvantages and Disadvantages
Wood: plywood, chipboard, MDF and othersThis material is relatively easy to work with, it looks beautiful, natural and impressive, its service life is quite long, especially if pre-processed
PlasticThis material is the most versatile; it can imitate both wood and stone, while eliminating their shortcomings
MetalSuch wall shelves will be very strong, reliable and durable, but classic interior They will fit in with difficulty. In addition, corrosion can also be a problem, so metal products will be required special processing and conditions
GlassTransparent wall shelves will create an atmosphere of lightness and comfort in your home. Of course, it will be difficult to make a glass structure with your own hands, but if you nevertheless decide to do all the work yourself, then you will have to work with glass for quite a long time and very carefully, especially if various cutouts are planned in the shelf design

Original shelves for books

Shelves non-standard shape are in increasing demand, so if you wish, you can try to collect something original. Used for example bookshelf in the form of a simplified labyrinth.

To make it you will need:

  • edged board 20 mm thick;
  • wood glue;
  • clamps;
  • roulette;
  • hacksaw;
  • miter box;
  • grinding machine;
  • stain;
  • furniture screws, self-tapping screws;
  • decorative shelf holders.

If you have everything you need, you can start making the shelf.

Step 1. Marking

On the prepared boards, mark the cut lines with a pencil under a ruler. Measurements should be taken very carefully, since all horizontal parts have different lengths.

Step 2. Trimming the blanks

The ends of each workpiece are cut at an angle of 45 or 90 degrees. The diagram shows the first option, so you will need a miter box for sawing. It is very important to correctly install the miter box on the board so that the cuts are symmetrical. If the ends are cut off incorrectly, you will not be able to fold the shelf.

Step 3. Assembling the structure

The ends of the parts are smeared with glue, pressed tightly and additionally secured with slotted furniture screws. Ordinary self-tapping screws are not suitable here. Each joint will require at least 2 screws. Both parts of the shelf are applied to the wall, leveled and the attachment points are marked with a pencil. After this, holes are drilled for the dowels, brackets are screwed to the shelf with self-tapping screws and the structure is hung on the wall. Instead of brackets, decorative pelican shelf holders are often used.




Hanging shelf with straps

If you need a decorative shelf for small items, the following option is perfect - a board suspended on straps.



To make a shelf you will need:

  • 2 edged boards 300x750 mm, thickness 30 mm;
  • 4 leather belts, 75 cm long;
  • 4 long screws with plastic dowels;
  • 4 short screws;
  • building level;
  • ruler;
  • sharp knife;
  • drill.

Step 1: Preparing the belts

The cuts of the belts must be perfectly even, so if necessary they are trimmed with a knife. Fold each belt in half, press the ends to the table, step back 2 cm from the edge and drill a neat hole through hole. The same is done with the remaining three.

Step 2. Attaching the straps to the wall

Using a level, two points are determined on the wall at a distance of 60 cm. Holes are drilled and plastic dowels are inserted. The belt folded in half is applied to one of the holes and secured with a long screw - you get a large loop on the wall. Another such loop is attached nearby.

Step 3. Installing the shelf

A sanded board is inserted into the loops and aligned horizontally. To prevent the shelf from moving, the parts of the belts adjacent to the wall near the board itself are screwed with short self-tapping screws. Now another shelf is hung under this shelf, exactly repeating the steps described above. The result is a light and neat two-tier shelf. If desired, you can add another 1-2 tiers.

To make the shelves described above, you can use not only wood, but also plywood, as well as laminated chipboard sheets. The last option is used most often, since laminated chipboard is lightweight, high strength, practicality and durability. When assembling shelves from this material, all sections must be covered with a melamine edge to match the color of the sheet.



Making a glass shelf


Glass shelves fit harmoniously into any interior, and the installation process does not take much time. To work you will need:

  • tempered glass;
  • hammer;
  • electric drill;
  • building level;
  • aluminum profile;
  • dowels;
  • adhesive tape;
  • ruler;
  • pencil.

Not everyone knows how to cut glass correctly, and therefore it is better to order the cutting of blanks in a workshop. There they will also grind and polish the edges so that when installing the shelf you will not cut yourself on sharp edges. You can do everything else yourself.


Step 1. Marking for fasteners


The section of the wall where the shelf will hang should be as large as possible. By using building level draw a horizontal line on the wall with a pencil. The locations of the fasteners are marked on the line and holes are drilled.


Step 2. Installing profiles



An aluminum profile is applied to the wall surface and the alignment of the fastening marks is checked. Then insert dowels into the holes, attach the profile with one screw and level it horizontally. After this, tighten the remaining screws.




Instead of a drill, insert a bracket screw
Screw in the bracket screw
Leave the bracket screw protruding from the wall


Checking the position
Arranging the shelves

Step 3. Attaching the shelf

The rear edge of the glass shelf is covered with adhesive tape. You can use separate spacers made of tape, placing them where the glass will touch the screw heads. The shelf is inserted into the profile, the edges of the profile are covered with protective caps. If two shelves touch on the sides, their edges are fastened with metal fittings.

If there is free time and a desire to experiment, you can create very unusual shelves on the wall from scrap materials. For example, a corner shelf made of plastic pipes. To make it you will need pieces sewer pipes and corner cuts. The shelf is attached to the wall with screws and dowels.


Old suitcases and briefcases also make great wall shelves. To do this, they are cut to half their height and closed. back plywood and secured to the wall with screws or brackets.

Drawers from unnecessary bedside tables are quite suitable for making shelves. To give them an elegant look, the boxes should be thoroughly sanded, primed and painted. bright colors. Then they are leaned against back wall to the surface, mark the attachment points and drill holes for them. Even one such shelf looks very original, and a composition of 2-3 drawers will become a real decoration.

Video - DIY wall shelves

Interesting wooden shelf. Master class


You will need:

  • Rope;
  • Board at least 2 cm thick;
  • 2 corners (mounts) for shelves;
  • Steel washers;
  • Lighter;
  • Drill;
  • Saw.






Home improvement is not always a matter of several weeks, and quite often, additional elements such as shelves, racks and other decorations are hung on the wall after everything is finished renovation work in the house. Therefore, almost everyone faces the question of how to hang a shelf on the wall without damaging the finish.

Everyone, even those who have never encountered such a task, knows that attaching a shelf to a wall can only be done with the help of fasteners. In stores and along with shelves you can find dozens of types of fasteners, which may differ in both appearance and design. But they can be divided into two main types, with hidden fastening and external.

In addition, the shelf mounting itself can also serve a decorative role, creating the desired design effect.

The shelves themselves are also very diverse both in their appearance and in the material from which they are made, and they also do not have a clear classification; they can be single-tiered or multi-tiered and intended for any room. The type and material of the shelf depends only on your needs or tastes. If you wish, you can even make a homemade shelf.

Where are shelves most often used?

The main place where you simply cannot do without a shelf is the bathroom. This is where shelves are a must-have attribute, as they allow you to conveniently store bathroom accessories. In most cases, even several shelves are used, but fixing a shelf in the bathroom is the most difficult, since wall covering here is ceramic tiles, which must be handled very carefully.

You can’t do without a shelf in the kitchen, since it greatly increases practicality and you can place on it all the accessories that the housewife constantly needs at hand.

(Last Updated On: 01/21/2018)

Shelves make our homes and offices much more convenient, because they can accommodate a bunch of different small rubbish, put fragile and valuable items, and add variety and volume to a simple wall. However, shelves often have one big disadvantage - with their fasteners they spoil the whole picture, do not fit into the interior, visually make the structure heavier, etc. Therefore, in many cases it is practiced hidden mount shelves to the wall, in this case an ordinary wall shelf looks as if hanging in the air. Of course, such a solution is very, very attractive, but today not everyone knows how and with what kind of fittings such fastening can be done.

Preparing for hidden fastening of shelves

It is best to carry out such fastening in stages until the sequence becomes automatic. Otherwise, due to the omission of one or another moment, all the work may go down the drain.

The first step is to make sure that the wall can support the weight of the shelf and the objects placed on it. The main parameter by which such an assessment is made is its thickness. If the walls are made of 25 cm brickwork or 10 cm reinforced concrete slabs, then you can safely mount hanging shelves with hidden fasteners. If the wall thickness is less than the specified values ​​or if the fastening is carried out to plasterboard cladding, then installation of a shelf with hidden fasteners will also be possible, but the shelf can only be used for easy storage small things.

Now you need to decide on the thickness of the shelf. This can be done without any complex calculations - just evenly place a load of a certain mass on the shelf and see how the shelf behaves. If it bends, then you need to make it thicker or reduce the planned load. In general, it is better to make a shelf thicker - excess thickness can be unnecessary only in rare cases when it violates the concept of the interior, but too thin ones will make them inconvenient to use.

Shelf with hidden fastening (photo):

Also, the depth of the shelf depends on the mass of things stored on the shelf. The greater the mass, the shallower the depth should be. For example, if no more than 10 kg of cargo will be placed on the shelf, then you can make a shelf up to 35 cm deep. And if you want to store items weighing up to 30 kg on the shelf, for example, 10 cans of apple compote, then the shelf should be no more deep 15 cm. However, in this case the jars of compote will not fit on it.

Options for fasteners used

Fittings for hidden fastening are presented today in many options, so choosing and buying the right one will not be difficult.

The most popular option is special hidden hinges that are placed on the surface of the shelf pressed against the wall. Working with them is done as follows:

  • the gap between the central points of the loops is measured;
  • along this gap, using a ruler and level, mark the points for attaching the hinges to the wall;
  • holes are drilled in the wall, then they are plugged with a plug, and screws are screwed into the plug;
  • screws should be screwed in as close to the wall as possible, but not forgetting to leave space for hanging the shelf;
  • The hinges are screwed to the back of the shelf, after which it is hung with screws.

More reliable option– this is the use of metal pins:

  • a line is drawn on the wall along the level of hanging the shelf and along the width of the shelf;
  • segments equal to triple the thickness of the shelf are set off from the edges of the line; holes for the outer pins are drilled at these points;
  • Central pins are mounted between the outer pins; the heavier the shelf, the more pins are needed;
  • the pins enter the wall body strictly perpendicularly at a distance of about 10-15 cm, so this method is only suitable for houses with brick walls;
  • The pins must enter the body of the shelf to a depth of at least three times the thickness of the shelf, but no more than 2/3 of its total depth.

Also, hidden fastening of a shelf to a wall can be done in other ways, but the above methods are the most common and reliable.