A quick-and-easy guide to building corner shelves with reinforcing brackets and corner plates
Thinking of adding more shelving? You don’t need a master carpenter. At Carinya, we have detailed DIY guides so you can build them yourself. Our DIY shelving guides include:
- How to install shelf brackets like a pro
- How to hang a shelf on a plaster wall
- Metal vs timber shelf brackets
Now, we’re adding a new guide — so you can build your own corner shelves. With shelves that extend out on both walls, corner shelves maximise floor space to give you extra storage, while looking sleek and stylish.
In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the seven simple steps to install a corner shelf.
Want to build your corner shelf with professional grade reinforcing brackets and corner plates? Ask for Carinya products at your local Bunnings Warehouse.
How to install corner shelves in 7 simple steps
Step 1: Select your design (and reinforcing brackets)
Take a moment to consider the design of your corner shelves — it should fit your room’s decor. Now, here are the three most popular corner shelf styles.
Floating corner shelves
Floating corner shelves look like they’re floating in mid-air. It’s a stunning visual effect that has a striking impact. The visual effect is possible thanks to these specially designed Floating Shelf Brackets.
Minimal corner shelves
If you appreciate a minimalist aesthetic, a simple, yet refined corner shelf is ideal. The best reinforcing brackets for a minimal corner shelf are the sleek white Manhattan Heavy Duty Angle Brackets or the natural Raw Pine Stayed Brackets.
Decorative corner shelves
Corner shelves fit into a room perfectly, but they’ll still stand out with the right reinforcing brackets. The bold and beautiful Black Satin Scroll Bracket is eye catching, while the Lipped Shelf Bracket Black is simply elegant.
More design ideas
For more ideas to incorporate your new corner shelf into your home, check out some of Carinya’s DIY guides:
- Create an inspiring home office space with Carinya shelving
- Maximise your living space with DIY shelves
- 5 creative ways to style floating shelves
Step 2: Gather your tools
Chances are you’ll have everything you need in your toolbox already. Still, make sure these tools are handy:
- Screwdriver
- Pencil
- Tape measure
- Electric drill
- Drill bits
- Screws
- 1 metre-long level
- Stud finder
- Safety glasses
Step 3: Measure twice, cut once
What size shelf do you need? You will cut one end of each shelf at an angle, so they can join at the corner. On the wall, mark where your shelves will sit (using a level). Then measure the shelf length you require. As it’s a corner shelf — make sure to measure both sides of the wall.
Step 4: Buy your materials
For a safe, secure, and stylish corner shelf — it’s critical to get the best materials at an affordable price. Luckily, we know where to go.
Where is the best place to buy your materials?
You’ll find everything you need to build a strong, secure, and stylish corner shelf at Bunnings Warehouse. You’ll find all of Carinya’s reinforcing brackets and corner plates.
Shelves
Popular shelving options to choose from include:
- Natural raw wood
- Black gloss
- White gloss
Reinforcing brackets
Make sure you get the right brackets to match your design:
- Floating design: Floating Shelf Brackets
- Minimal design: Manhattan Heavy Duty Angle Brackets, Raw Pine Stayed Brackets.
- Decorative design: Black Satin Scroll Bracket, Lipped Shelf Bracket Black
Corner plates
Your corner plates will connect the shelves and ensure they’re stable and strong:
- Mending Plate L Shape – Black Powder Coat Finish
- Reinforcing Zinc Plated Corner Brackets
- Reinforcing Zinc Plated Mending Plates Tri Corner
Step 5: Connect the shelves with corner plates
You’ve just purchased your corner plates and shelves, now you’re ready to join the shelves using corner plates — making your shelf strong and secure. The L-shaped plates are specifically designed for corner joins, with one arm attached to each shelf.
Now, here’s how to join the shelves:
- Evenly space the two brackets across the bottom seam where the shelves intersect.
- Attach the brackets using screws.
Step 6: Attach the reinforcing brackets to your wall
Attaching the reinforcing brackets is one of the most important steps. Take your time to ensure you place them in the correct spot.
Here’s how to attach your reinforcing brackets in the correct spot:
- Use your stud finder to locate the wall studs where you will attach the brackets. Mark the spots where the studs are with a pencil.
- Set the spots to attach your reinforcing brackets on the wall and mark the location with your pencil. Use the level to make sure your markings are even.
- Pre-drill small anchor holes into the wall studs.
- Line up the brackets and screw them into place. If your brackets have screw slot fixings, ensure they are screwed into place approximately 6mm away from the wall to allow space for the screw head.
Step 7: Attach the shelf to the reinforcing brackets
It’s time to put on the finishing touches, or rather, to finish the project by putting the shelf on the brackets.
Complete your corner shelves:
- Place the shelf on top of the brackets in the correct position so they are flush against the wall.
- Use a pencil to mark down where the screws need to go.
- Take the shelf off and pre-drill small holes into the shelf.
- Place the shelf back onto the reinforcing brackets and screw it into place.
Congratulations. You’ve successfully installed a stylish and secure corner shelf. Now go and take a ‘shelfie’ and show your friends your stylish and secure corner shelf.
Carinya has professional grade reinforcing brackets and corner plates to help you build a stylish and secure corner shelf. Pick them up now at your local Bunnings Warehouse.