So I tried to build a floating shelf after watching a five minute video

Sarah Carr · 2026-03-21T02:45:07.528681+00:00

I saw this quick clip online where a guy made a shelf with just a board and some hidden brackets. Looked so easy. I went to the hardware store, got a nice piece of pine, and those special brackets. I measured once, drilled the holes, and hung it up. It looked great for about an hour. Then I put a single plant on it. The whole thing ripped out of the wall, taking a huge chunk of drywall with it. Turns out I hit exactly zero studs. The video never said to find studs, it just said 'mount into the wall.' I spent the next day patching a hole the size of my hand. Has anyone found a good way to hang heavy stuff on drywall without hitting a stud?

samward5mo ago

Just use drywall anchors next time.

8

reesesullivan5mo ago

Oh man, drywall anchors are a must. My first shelf fell off the wall too, scared my cat half to death. The metal toggle bolt ones are the only kind I trust now.

4

ryanf664mo ago

You got a buddy who tried the same thing? My friend Mike put up a shelf for his wife's cookbooks. Hit it with a single plastic anchor. Shelf came down at 3 AM, cookbooks everywhere, his wife thought it was a burglar. We still give him hell for it.

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