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I have seen many similar questions, but most are around mounting a TV. I'd like to mount some shelves to hold kitchen appliances (air fryer, coffee machine, toaster, etc). 4 shelves in total, 3 with max 10 kg (22 lbs), one at the top with 2 kg (4.5 lbs). Space is limited, so I would like to build the shelves on the exact dimensions (45cm wide, 30cm depth), and without frame, directly on the wall.

The wall is double plaster board with some mineral wool in between, separating kitchen from office. I am lucky there is a stud exactly where I'd need it. It's made of metal, but I'm not sure how wide it is. The wall is covered with ~1.5-2 cm of roughcast (crépis in French). For reference, I'm in Switzerland, in a fairly new building (2017).

Since the shelf width is smaller than the distance between 2 studs (45 vs 62 cm), I want to install on only 1 bracket. I've done the bottom shelf already, but it is rather wobbly: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4qV2naRyHuPsh8TZA . It's not the screws, but the bracket, which is this one (rated for 30 kg, 66lbs). I was hoping that the bracket taking screws on each side would prevent the wooden shelf from wobbling, and while this is true, the bracket doesn't have great torsion resistance.

So my questions are:

  1. Would the metal stud support this load? Provided adequate screws and plugs/anchors.
  2. If so, where would I find a stiffer bracket? I think a design like this would be ideal, but this is a creation for 3D printing enter image description here
  3. Could I do without toggle bolts? The holes needed for those are huge. Staff at DYI store recommended these (there is a pic for pure plasterboard, I'd be in metal stud).

Thank you all !

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  • A single stud with one bracket is only good for weight right above the bracket. I do not usually like using anchors for weight, one bracket in the centre on the stud plus two brackets at the ends with anchors/toggles might work.
    – crip659
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 11:15
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    @Agent_L I think the picture is only an example, OP is putting the shelves on a straight wall, not in a corner.
    – crip659
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 13:07
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    @Huesmann I think OP's idea was a single bracket that spread out/expanded the shelf holders, like a corner bracket.
    – crip659
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 13:40
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    @FreeMan I think OP is using "fake" to refer to what we typically wood call hollow walls, as opposed to say a solid brick/block/concrete/wood wall. I think solid walls are, relatively speaking, more common in Europe than in the US.
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 15:26
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    I mean to balance or put weight right on top of the bracket. Weight away from the bracket will increase tipping force. Anchors are okay for stuff that does not weigh much, but for heavier, more expensive things I like to use studs to hold screws, not just drywall/plaster.
    – crip659
    Commented Feb 22, 2023 at 10:38

3 Answers 3

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I would just use two brackets and mount one with clamping hollow-wall anchors. Double drywall is plenty strong for the light half of these loads. There are several types which take a 3/8" (~10mm) hole and hold quite firmly. No need to reinvent any wheels.

That said, yes, your solution could work. A single toggle bolt at the top of the bracket would theoretically support the entire thing (though you'd want two to prevent spin). The shelf keeps the bracket from swiveling sideways. The critical aspect would be keeping the shelf firmly attached to the bracket so it can't flip off. There will be substantial cantilever.

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  • yes, this seems the reasonable thing. Though I'm not a fan of the 10mm holes :(. I did end up using multiple brackets, 1 in the metal stud, and two smaller ones on the side for balance. The side ones are with generic anchors, not toggles, but they seem to hold well Why do you say only one with clamping anchors? Because the other is in the stud?
    – Ciprian Tomoiagă
    Commented Feb 25, 2023 at 19:33
  • Yes. I'd probably use sheet metal screws there.
    – isherwood
    Commented Feb 27, 2023 at 13:45
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My recommendation here is the same as for a TV:

  • Cut a piece of plywood long enough to attach to two studs.
  • Paint the plywood to match the rest of the wall. Even if you don't end up with an exact match, that will keep it from seeming out of place.
  • Mount the shelves to the plywood using at least two sets of screws.
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  • Thank you! Do you mean a large rectangular piece, or like one piece for each row of shelf, 4 in total?
    – Ciprian Tomoiagă
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 21:09
  • A large rectangular piece. One piece will look better than multiple, be less work to install and be more stable.
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Commented Feb 21, 2023 at 21:21
  • Thank you! It's a good idea. Not sure wife will approve, but I'll try. I'm thinking that such a large piece might be heavy on its own, so ideally it would rest on the ground. This might be challenging due to the baseboard
    – Ciprian Tomoiagă
    Commented Feb 22, 2023 at 5:39
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Apparently no, single bracket is not really feasible, as I could not find a bracket that is strong enough in torsion and supports the shelf well. The sturdies brackets have only 2 screws in a line, so the shelf still wobbles around them.

In the end, I added 2 extra brackets for each, one on each side, for some stability. These are anchored in the plasterboard, with "multi-purpose" anchors. Most of the weight is carried by the central bracket, which is in the stud.

image of the shevles, from the front, seeing the 3 brackets per shelf, and a set of holes for the not yet mounted shelf

I wish had found side brackets that needed only 2 holes instead of 3.

But it holds well

picture of the shelves with the kitchen utensils fitten on top

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