How to build a shelf

After you've decided where you want your shelf to go, use a stud finder to locate the stud behind the wall. Mark the left and right hand side of the stud. Use the tape measure to find the middle of the stud and mark it. This is where the top of your shelf will sit.

Place the bracket against the wall so that the top of it is level with the mark on the wall. Use the spirit level to make sure it's straight. Then with a pencil, mark the three holes in bracket.

Using a 3mm drill bit, pre-drill three pilot holes where you've marked on the wall for the bracket. Then with the bracket in place, use 40mm screws to attach the bracket to the wall. We spray painted the top of the screws black so they match the colour of the bracket.

Place the second bracket so that the top of it is level with the mark on the wall. Use the spirit level to make sure it's straight, and then mark where the three holes will be drilled on the wall.

For this second bracket, we don't have a timber stud to drill into. So we're using wall anchors to secure the bracket. Use the 3mm drill bit to drill holes for the wall anchors, and then push an anchor into each hole. Drill the anchor into place until the toggle locks, and then remove the wall anchor screws.

Place the bracket against the wall in-line with the holes. Use the drill and wall anchor screws to fix the bracket to the wall.

Place the shelf on the brackets. Make sure that the shelf is centred on the brackets with an equal overhang. Mark the holes and use the 3mm drill bit to pre-drill the four bracket holes.

Use the drill and black 30mm timber screws to fix the shelf to the brackets. Make sure the screws you use are shorter than the thickness of the shelf.