Wall-mounted shelving (for drywall)

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

I want to buy and install a few wall-mounted shelves for small collectibles, souvenirs, and paperback books. I think each shelf will not need to support more than a couple pounds. Is this to much weight for a couple of nails into drywall? I think we have framed pictures with a single nail that are heavier than that, but I want to play it safe and not rip up the wall or risk damage to items on the shelf.

Can anyone recommend such small wall-mounted shelves (order online)? I am suspicious of adhesive mounted ones, but would consider these as well if they are highly recommended.

If I wanted to have shelves to support more, would I need a stud finder or some other solution? I've seen plastic screws for drywall, but they look as if they take a good-sized chunk out of the wall.

Thanks!

[Papa bear]

Nails will not hold that in drywall.  You need to look for drywall anchors. There are probably 3 dozen different kinds. And your shelves will probably come with some cheapos.

You can get types that hammer in, screw in, metal, plastic, toggle bolts, etc.

No matter what you use, you will have a hole to repair once you want to move the shelves.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Radagast]

No need for a stud finder, just get your self some rare earth magnets for $4 like these (use them all in a stack):
https://www.homedepot.com/p/MASTER-MAGNETICS-3-4-in-Neodymium-Rare-Earth-Magnet-Discs-3-per-Pack-07091HD/202526387.
They work by magnetic attraction to nails, put a light pencil mark where you find one then look up and down for more. Many people tie them on a string, but I have found that is not necessary and instead I free hand it (the string might be helpful to not lose the magnets though, but I just stick them to a magnetic surface and find them where I left them.)

The are a gazillion types of shelves available, and even more combinations of wall brackets and flat boards. I can't make recommendations because there are too many and I made my own anyhow, though this looks nice to my eyes
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-24-in-L-x-8-in-W-Profile-White-Shelf-9085634/206337862
but there are bigger and cheaper and artsier and glass and oak and fake antique and a million options out there.

[APowers]

If there are no studs where you want to place your shelf, you will definitely want to use drywall anchors. Please do not just use a nail into drywall, as that is not secure and will eventually come loose.

I like the screw-style anchors like this:
https://www.organizeit.com/e-z-drywall-anchor.asp
They're easy to use, hard to mess up the installation, and don't look horrifically hideous if you remove your shelf and leave them in the wall.

[ObviouslyNotAGolfer]

Thanks for the advice guys! Very helpful. I will update when I actually get it done.

[wheezle]

I've found toggle bolts to be very impressive!

[Fishindude]

I've hung a lot of pictures with the plastic molleys (spelling?) you drill a hole for, drive them in, then a screw goes into the hole in center of them.
If you ever redecorate you can simply pull the screw, drive the molley thru the drywall, then patch the hole with a little drywall mud.

[the_fixer]

I have used many different styles over the years but this style is hands down the best I have ever seen. They hold an amazing amount of weight.

Kind of expensive but worth it as far as I am concerned

https://www.containerstore.com/s/elfa/components/hardware-tools/elfa-drywall-plaster-anchors/123d?productId=10031759

As your tighten them they fan out in a 360 degree fasion to provide support behind the drywall


Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk