How to Build a TV Shelf on the Wall

When you think of installing your own TV shelf on the wall, you might picture your precious TV crashing to the ground. Don't panic. This is a project that you can easily complete in less than an hour using just a few supplies. This shelf will hold a TV up to 13 inches in size.

Things You Will Need:

• Oak board, 15 inch square by 1 inch thickness


• (2) 12 by 14 inch metal "L" wall brackets


• 1 package of wall anchors and bolts


• 1/2-inch wood screws


• Hammer


• Drill


• Drill bit


• Pencil


• Level


• Tape measure

1. Choose the location of your shelf. Consider the height of the television and position the shelf so as to allow for comfortable viewing.


2. Mark the location. Hold one of the "L" brackets up to the wall in your ideal location. Use the pencil to mark the location of the holes on the wall.


3. From the marks, use your tape measure and measure 13 inches to the right of the marks. Place two identical marks, 13 inches to the right of the original marks.


4. Use a level to ensure that the second set of marks is perfectly even with the first set of marks.


5. Install the wall anchors. Use your drill and the appropriate-sized drill bit to screw an anchor into the wall at the four marked locations. You can determine the required drill bit size by reading the packaging of the wall anchor set.


6. Place an anchor into each hole. Use a hammer to gently tap each anchor into place. The anchors should be flush with the wall.


7. Align the "L" brackets. Place the anchor bolt into the top hole on the bracket and insert it into the top wall anchor. Tighten the bolt into place using the appropriate screwdriver or drill bit. Repeat this process for all of the bolts on both brackets.


8. Place the oak board over the bottom half of the "L" bracket. Install wood screws from underneath the board, going from the bottom of the bracket up through the board. Install four screws and use your drill to tighten them as appropriate.