Should a Bookshelf Be Anchored to the Wall?

Do you frequently experience nightmares where your bookcases tumble over onto your family members or pets?

Your nightmare may become true, especially if you own a large bookshelf with many books or live in a seismic area with frequent earthquakes.

In short, the solution to your problem is to anchor bookshelves to the wall.

Bookshelves should be secured against the wall with screws and metal corner brackets; if not, use furniture safety straps with Velcro strips, strong glue or adhesive, or Qdos anti-tip technology.

It is also possible to tilt the bookshelf back slightly without causing any damage by using furniture bracing, but this may be a short-term fix.

There are countless options for stabilizing your bookshelf. To properly secure your bookshelf to the wall, continue reading.

Why is Bookshelf Anchored to the Wall?

To keep massive furniture from toppling over, such as a tall bookshelf, you might want to anchor it.

The numerous examples of Hollywood films where the hero knocks one bookshelf over another to fend off enemies ought to be plenty!

When unanchored or unstrapped, the tall bookcases pose a health risk.

For instance, a small bump or an earthquake with a large Richter scale can cause the bookshelf to tumble over, injuring people, animals, and other objects.

Similarly, curious children and playful pets climbing the bookshelf to retrieve items can easily tip it over themselves, causing fatal injury or even death.

Therefore, securing or anchoring a large, tall bookshelf to the wall will prevent many tragedies.

However, you need not worry about drilling a screw into the bookshelf and wall, which may damage the décor, as there are many alternatives to drilling a screw.

How Are Bookshelves Anchored?

Anchoring the bookshelf is one proven way to prevent it from falling over.

Many regions susceptible to high Richter earthquakes anchor large furniture to the wall to prevent even the slightest accidents.

Using screws and L-shaped brackets are the best tools to anchor any bookshelf to the wall. You can attach the bracket to the wall and drill the screw to anchor it.

Otherwise, you can install one bracket into a wall and another into the bookshelf and tie both together using a solid steel or nylon cable.

Deepika Adhikari

Consultant at Thenaturehero

Consumer Reports recommend using steel cables or nylon straps instead of plastic brackets or zip ties which can turn brittle or snap.

Step-by-Step Guide for Anchoring Bookshelvesshelves to the Wall

Here are the detailed instructions for anchoring bookshelves to a wall.

1. Measure the size of the bookshelf.

Measure the bookshelf's height and weight by removing it from the wall. No more than 24′′ should separate shelving brackets from one another.

It will be held in place by at least two brackets fastened to the top. Consider adding at least three shelves to more extended desks, typically five feet long, with the brackets set 20 to 24 inches apart.

2. Attach Wood Post to the Backside

Cut at least two wood posts sized 3″ (height) x 2″ (wide) x 1″ (depth) from any spare wood.

Attach them to the edges of the backsides of the bookshelf to keep a safe distance from the wall.

Super glue or #8 screws driven through the wood can fasten them to the bookshelf.

3. Drill Holes and Attach Brackets

Start with measuring the space between the wall where the L-shaped brackets would go and mark it with your pencil.

At least two brackets installed 2 feet apart would suffice for a single bookshelf measuring 3 to 5 feet wide.

For dry walls, check where there are studs to drill holes into using a stud finder.

Next, attach the bracket to the wall by drilling screws into the bracket holes to fasten them.

4. Anchor the Bookshelf

The final step is to anchor the bookshelf to the wall using the brackets.

Move the bookshelf in place and drill eight screws through the other end of the bracket hole into the bookshelf.

Voila! Anchoring the bookshelf to the wall is completed!

Finally, nudge the bookshelf to check whether it is well anchored to the wall.

Deepika Adhikari

Consultant at Thenaturehero