In short
Wall shelves go up level and solid: floating shelves on hidden rods or plates, bracket shelves on studs, and kitchen or bathroom shelves sized for what they hold. We plan heights with you first.
Your photo checklist
- The wall, from across the room
- Each shelf and its hardware
- What will sit on it
- Measurements of the space
- Nearby outlets or switches
Covered on a Rosemead visit
- Floating shelves on hidden steel brackets
- Bracket and standard-and-rail shelving
- Closet rods and shelves, pantry and linen shelving
- Garage wall rails, ceiling-free shelving units and tool racks
- Bookcases and tall shelving units anchored against tipping
- Old shelves and anchors removed and the holes patched
Outside what we take on
- Cutting new openings or niches into a wall.
- Changes to load-bearing walls or new framing.
- Custom built-ins and new cabinet boxes.
Shelves on Rosemead walls
In a house built near the city’s median year of 1959, studs are not always on even 16-inch centers, and a garage wall may be bare framing on one side and stucco on the other. We map the framing before marking a single hole, so brackets land in wood instead of in plaster or open drywall.
Freestanding shelving counts too. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Anchor It! campaign says anchoring furniture “with drawers, doors, and shelves to the wall prevents tip-over injuries and deaths,” so we strap tall units to the wall as part of the install.
How we hang a shelf
Plan around the load
We ask what the shelf will carry, then choose the bracket and fastener for that load. Books and dishes need brackets into studs; a light decor shelf can use rated anchors.
Locate framing and hazards
We use a stud finder and a small test hole where needed to confirm framing, and check for pipes and wires behind the wall before drilling, especially near bathrooms, kitchens and outlets.
Level, fasten, test
Brackets are marked from a level line, fastened, and the shelf is set and secured. We load-test by hand before handing it over, and patch any test holes so the wall looks clean.
Closets and garages
For closet and pantry systems we hang the top rail into studs and set standards plumb so every shelf sits level. In garages we keep units clear of the water heater, the electrical panel and the door track, and strap tall freestanding racks to the wall.
Bigger jobs, free estimate
We install shelving and storage. Built-in cabinetry and overhead garage platforms that hang from roof framing are outside our scope. A shelf that needs electrical lighting added gets its own free estimate.
While we’re out for this, Rosemead customers often add blinds and curtain rod installation, closet organizer installation, TV wall mounting, furniture assembly, cabinet door and drawer repair or outlet, switch and GFCI replacement.
What to text
A photo of the wall, the shelf or system you bought (or want), and roughly what will sit on it: books, dishes, tools or decor.
Shelving questions
Why does my floating shelf sag?
The bracket isn't in a stud or is too short. We re-mount.
How much does it cost to install a floating shelf?
Depends on size and wall. Send a photo.
Can you hang shelves over a toilet or washer?
Yes. We place them high enough to clear the tank lid or the washer lid, and fasten into studs so the shelf holds when items are pulled from it.
What height should shelves go?
It depends on use. We mark a level line for you to look at before any holes are drilled, and adjust until it suits the room.
Do you supply the shelves?
Usually you buy the shelf or system you like and we install it. If you are unsure what will work on your wall, send a photo first and we suggest the bracket type.
How much can a floating shelf hold?
It depends on the bracket rating and what it is fastened to. Into studs with a rated bracket, a floating shelf holds books and dishes. On drywall anchors alone, it should only hold light decor.
Can you put shelves on plaster walls?
Yes. We drill carefully to avoid cracking, and fasten into the studs behind the plaster.
Do you install garage shelving?
Yes. Wall rails and freestanding units are common. We anchor tall units and keep shelving clear of the water heater and the garage door track.
Can you remove old shelves and patch the wall?
Yes. We take down the old shelving, fill the holes and spot-prime them for paint.
How much weight can floating shelves in a kitchen hold?
It depends on the bracket and studs. Rods into studs can carry dishes; anchors in drywall alone can’t. We size the hardware to the load.
Do floating shelves work in a bathroom?
Yes. Sealed wood or solid surface handles humidity. Into tile, we drill grout lines or use a tile bit.
Jobs that pair with this one
- Picture and art hangingHang art beside the new shelves.
- Closet organizer installationShelving inside the closet.
- TV mountingMount the TV beside the shelves.
- Furniture anchoringStrap tall bookcases to the wall.
Related guide: Shelf installation tips from our guide to garage shelving and storage.
Just outside Rosemead? We take these jobs in Alhambra (shelf and picture hanging in Alhambra) and San Gabriel (shelf installation in San Gabriel) as well.
Storage tips for Rosemead homes
- Getting the garage organized with shelves and racksHow we install wall shelving, overhead racks and hooks in Rosemead garages, with tips on studs, loads and earthquake safety.
- Mounting a TV in a ranch-style living roomMounting a TV in a Rosemead ranch home: choosing the wall, finding studs, viewing height, hiding the cords, and outdoor patio TVs on stucco walls.
Jobs like this one are everyday work for our Rosemead handyman service, from the blocks off Garvey Avenue to the streets near Rosemead Park. A photo by text gets you a quote first.
Part of mounting and furniture assembly. You can also browse all our services or read about repairs in postwar Rosemead homes.