Since so many people are buying flat screens the traditional entertainment center has practically been done away with. Many people mount their flat screen on the wall, and “floating shelves” are the perfect complement! Today’s expert, Penny Day, is going to talk to us about installing floating shelves!
How to Put Up a Floating Shelf
By Penny Day
If you thought putting up shelves was a job best left to the professionals, think again - floating shelves can be fitted easily on a Saturday morning or afternoon, giving you plenty of stylish storage space.
You will need
• Retractable tape measure
• Electronic wire and pipe detector
• Spirit level
• Drill
• Screws or fittings: 50mm screws and plastic Rawlplugs if fixing to concrete or brick, 40mm screws if fixing to wooden joists, or 65mm metal plasterboard anchors is fixing to plasterboard.
• Hammer (to push in Rawlplugs)
• Screwdriver
Assemble Your Shelf
Step 1: First, decide how many shelves you would like, and how high you want them. If you want to put storage baskets underneath, the lowest shelf should be no less than 90cm from the floor, and the space between each shelf should be at least 30cm, which will fit most books.
Step 2: Using an electronic detector, check that the area of wall where you plan to hang the shelves is free from hidden pipes or cables.
Step 3: Place your first bracket against the wall, using a spirit level to make sure it’s level. Mark the fixing-hole positions with a pencil.
Step 4: Using the pencil marks, drill holes into the wall. Our floating shelves required five screws, which weren’t included with the shelf - check when you buy. Always choose screws or fittings that are suitable for the material of your wall (see previous page). Screw the bracket into place.
Step 5: Slide the shelf onto the bracket to check that it’s level (use the spirit level to make sure). Once you’re happy with the position of this shelf and the way it looks, slide it back off the bracket so that you can position the rest of the brackets.
Step 6: Once all the brackets are in place, slide the shelves on and fix into place with the small screws provided with the shelf, using the pre-drilled holes on the underside of each shelf.
Stylist’s tip
Line your shelves up for a formal finish, or stagger them for a contemporary look
You can find more information on interior design and interior design ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you’ll love
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Penny_Day
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Put-Up-a-Floating-Shelf&id=2310888
Despite the countless DIY guides on the internet today, you just can’t do everything by yourself. There are some problems that will require the skilled hands of professionals - professionals who have trained for years to perfect their crafts.
Owning a house is a full time job! Sometimes it feels like if you don’t have one problem, then you have another! Having a leak in your roof is one of the most common household problems, but fortunately, just because there is a leak does not necessarily mean that you have a huge, expensive problem on your hands.
