Shelf Layout

Plan two floating shelves on a wall — enter measurements, get a scaled elevation drawing and a wall-marking sheet.

Step size

Preset layouts

Staggered puts each shelf exactly 21 9/16" from the wall its near end faces — the same on both sides — with 21 5/8" of offset between them.

Even wall gaps

Near-wall end, both shelves

27" · upper near left · lower near left · far end 37 3/4"

Sets each shelf the same distance from whichever wall its nearer end faces. Adjust the shelves first so one leans left and the other right, then use this to balance the outer gaps.

Wall

Width (corner to corner)

108"

Height (floor to ceiling)

96"

Chair rail height

36" · 0 if none

Shelf (both the same)

Length

43 1/4"

Thickness

Upper shelf

Left end from left wall

32" · right gap 32 3/4"

Bottom edge from floor

64" · top edge 66"

Lower shelf

Left end from left wall

22" · right gap 42 3/4"

Bottom edge from floor

54" · top edge 56"

Studs

Off. Turn on to place studs and see which land behind each shelf.

Marks to make on the wall

Upper shelf

Bottom edge 64" from floor, top edge 66". Left end 32" from the left wall, right end 32 3/4" from the right wall. 30" below the ceiling.

Lower shelf

Bottom edge 54" from floor, top edge 56". Left end 22" from the left wall, right end 42 3/4" from the right wall. 18" above the chair rail.

Between them

8" of clear space between the shelves. Upper shelf's left end is 10" right of the lower shelf's.

Tip: mark the bottom edge of each shelf and its left end, then set the bracket so the shelf lands on those marks. Bracket hole positions vary by brand.