Wall shelf in drywall with closet behind?

[Maddelyn]

I have been considering putting up a wall shelf in my kitchen, but the only available wall is a drywall that borders a walk-in closet.

My partner believes that the wall would not support a large shelf and suggested we should put up an ELFA system with tracks that you can hook shelves onto instead. It's practical but not as stylish as a hanging piece of furniture in my opinion.

Do you have any tips for us?

 

[zarkov]

What will you have on the shelf? Heavy porcelain or small spice jars?

As long as you don't intend to place an entire collection of marble mortars on the shelf, some expansion plugs should suffice, although it will naturally be more stable if you attach it to the studs.

 

[Maddelyn]

Thinking of using it a bit like a pantry, glass jars with flour and stuff. And it's no problem that there's a space behind it? Thinking something like this: (bad picture)

 

[zarkov]

Thought of using it a bit as a pantry, glass jars with flour and such. And is it okay that there is space behind it? Thinking something like this: (bad picture)

No, it doesn't matter that there is space behind it, most walls have that behind them. If you're really worried, you can break open the wall from inside the closet and place a kortling (cross brace) or two between the vertical studs to attach the shelf to. It's a bit of work but naturally becomes more stable than using expanding plugs.

 

[Larsa]

If you can find a stud and get one or two fasteners in it, then it's all good, then Molly in the corners.

Sometimes you can see where the drywall joint is if you look with grazing light, otherwise a strong little magnet can find the screw line. Otherwise, there are cheap stud finders. If it's a modern house, it might be a metal stud.