Wall Shelves

Wall Shelves

Length should follow what goes on the shelf rather than the wall available, because a shelf longer than its bracket spacing will bow in the middle under books or tins. As a working guide, support every 600mm to 800mm of run, so a 1200mm shelf wants a bracket at each end and ideally one in between. The lengths stocked here are 600mm, 900mm and 1200mm at 200mm deep, plus pine shelves at 580mm and 89cm. Depth is the number people overlook: 200mm takes paperbacks, tins, spice jars and framed photos comfortably, but not large box files or most kitchen appliances, so measure the deepest item first. Material changes both look and behaviour. Melamine faced board in grey or white wipes clean and suits kitchens, utility rooms and garages. Solid pine can be sanded, stained or painted to match existing timber and reads warmer in a living space, though it will mark more easily. The fixing is what actually carries the load, and it must suit the wall: solid masonry takes standard plugs, while plasterboard needs proper cavity or hollow wall anchors rated for the weight. A shelf kit supplies board and brackets matched together, which removes the guesswork about whether the bracket suits the shelf depth.

Tema supplies most of the range with straight shelves at 15mm thick and 200mm deep, available at 600mm and 900mm and 1200mm in grey and at 900mm and 1200mm in white. Core makes a natural wood shelf kit at 580mm in pine, supplying board and fixings together, alongside a pine wooden shelf at 89cm. For concealed fixings see Floating Shelves, for corners Corner Shelves, and for brackets Shelf Brackets.