How to install floating shelves

Before you do anything else, figure out where you'd like to hang your floating shelf. Once you've got a spot in mind, use a stud finder  to locate any wall studs – this is where you'll want to fix your bracket. Stud finders are great – just run them along flush to the wall, hold down the sides and they'll beep when you've located a stud. You can also set them to check for wires – handy if you're putting your shelf up near a TV or any wall sconces. If your bracket doesn't line up with a stud – no worries! The kit we're using comes with extra wallmates.

Use a spirit level to make sure you hang your bracket straight – once the bubble is in the centre, you're good to go. Draw a horizontal line on the wall  and mark up your holes with a pencil, including the all-important central hole.

Drill a hole into that centre point (between your wall studs) and screw one of your wallmates into position. Once you've done this, grab one of your kit's screws and drill straight through the wallmate – then you're good to screw in the remaining screws to each end. Use your level again to check everything's still straight.

Make sure your holes are at the bottom and slide your floating shelf straight onto the bracket. Once this is done, grab your final two short screws and screw them through those bottom holes into the bracket to stop your shelf coming off.

You're ready to style! Floating shelves look great as bookshelves or as displays for photos or keepsakes. Get creative!