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BRASSMASON

Braced, L-shaped and folding

Metal shelf brackets in black, white and stainless

9 products from $22.95, free shipping over $49. Arrives in 6-14 days. 30-day returns.

Braced steel brackets in packs of 4 or 8, plain iron L brackets and two folding styles sold in pairs. Every size is given in inches with millimeters in brackets, so you can match a bracket to your shelf before you drill.

9 products

Products

Pick the arm length

The arm under the shelf should reach about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way to the front edge. A little longer is fine, as long as the bracket stops short of the front.

  • 4 in brackets: ledges and picture shelves about 5 to 6 in (13 to 15 cm) deep.
  • 6 in brackets: spice and display shelves about 8 in (20 cm) deep.
  • 8 in brackets: book and pantry shelves 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) deep.
  • 10 in brackets: kitchen and storage shelves 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm) deep.

How many you need

For books, dishes and tools, put a bracket on every stud, which in most American homes means one every 16 in (41 cm). Lighter shelves can skip a stud and run brackets up to 32 in (81 cm) apart. Let the shelf run past the end brackets by a few inches, not more, so the ends don't sag or tip.

Fixed or folding

A braced bracket has a diagonal strut under the arm, so the arm stays straight under stacked plates or a row of hardcovers. A plain L bracket is the cleaner look for frames, plants and paperbacks. Folding brackets lock level at 90 degrees and drop flat against the wall when you release them, which is what you want under a fold-down desk, a laundry shelf or a workbench leaf.

Fixing to the wall

The bracket is rarely the part that fails; the fixing is. Into wood studs, use wood screws long enough to go at least 1 in (25 mm) into the stud. On drywall with no stud behind it, use anchors rated for the weight, such as toggle bolts. On brick or concrete, drill with a masonry bit and use plugs. Mark a level line first, fix the wall arms, then set the shelf and screw up through the arm holes so it can't slide or lift.

Care

Wipe with a damp cloth and dry. Keep scouring pads and solvents off the black and white coated finishes. Stainless steel takes a mild cleaner.

Delivery and returns

Orders arrive in 6 to 14 days with tracking. Delivery is $6.95, and orders over $49 ship free. Unused brackets can come back within 30 days of delivery.

Our shelf brackets
BracketTypeSizesSold as
Truss / Braced shelf bracketsSteel L with a diagonal brace, black or white6, 8 and 10 inPacks of 4 or 8
Curve / Iron L shelf bracketsIron L with a rounded corner, black or white4 x 4 and 8 x 6 inPair
Fold / White folding shelf bracketsFolding steel, white8 and 10 inPair
Latch / Stainless folding bracketsFolding stainless steel, push to fold8 and 10 inPair

Questions

What size shelf bracket do I need?

Measure the shelf from back to front and choose a bracket arm about two-thirds to three-quarters of that depth. An 8 in bracket suits a 10 to 12 in (25 to 30 cm) shelf, and a 10 in bracket suits 12 to 14 in (30 to 36 cm).

How far apart should shelf brackets be?

For books and dishes, put one on every stud, usually 16 in (41 cm) apart. For lighter things you can go up to 32 in (81 cm). Keep the overhang past the end brackets to a few inches so the shelf doesn't tip when you load the end.

Can I hang shelf brackets on drywall without studs?

Yes, with anchors rated for the weight you plan to store, such as toggle bolts. Drywall alone holds far less than a stud, so for heavy shelves find the studs with a stud finder and screw into them.

Do the folding brackets lock?

Yes. Both folding styles lock level at 90 degrees when you lift the arm and fold down when you release the catch, so a desk or bench top drops flat against the wall when you are done with it.

Can I return brackets I don't use?

Yes. Unused brackets can come back within 30 days of delivery. Keep them in their packaging until you have held one under your shelf and checked the fit.

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