Small Shelf Installation Instructions

These instructions cover our small shelves: the square, triangle, rhombus, trapezoid, and octagon display shelves, the small shelf set, the octagon key hook shelves, and the propagation shelves and set. Each one mounts on a single threaded insert bolt that screws into a drywall anchor, so installation takes one hole.

Prefer a printout? Download the PDF version of these instructions.

What is in the box

• Your shelf, with the threaded insert bolt in the back
• Drywall anchor

Tools you need

• Drill
• 1/4 inch drill bit
• Hammer or mallet

Installation steps

1. Prepare for drywall. Pick where the shelf goes and make sure there are no cables or obstructions behind the wall at that spot.
2. Drill. Start with a 1/4 inch bit and drill into the drywall, keeping the drill as perpendicular to the wall as you can so the anchor sits securely. If the anchor will not fit, step up to a slightly larger bit.
3. Insert the anchor. Hold the anchor at the hole and tap it in with a mallet or hammer until it is flush with the wall.
4. Mount the shelf. Line the shelf's bolt up with the anchor and twist the shelf into place, taking care not to scratch the wall. If one corner of the shelf sits too close to the wall, apply gentle pressure in the other direction to even out the gap.
5. Finish. Step back, check that the shelf is level, and you are done.

A note on propagation shelves

The propagation shelves mount exactly the same way. Add the glass test tubes after the shelf is on the wall, and keep the load to the tubes and a cutting or two: these are display shelves, not storage shelves.

Other installation guides

Guides for our other products: 3 to 8 inch deep floating shelves, thick floating shelves, corner shelves, shelves with wood brackets, shelves with steel J brackets, deep shelves with L brackets, picture ledge, coat racks, disc hat rack, subway clock, corner shelf with reversible bracket. If anything is unclear, email support@nookwoodworking.com and we will walk you through it.