Shelves can look great in any interior space and offer practicality too. Whether you want to display your favorite books on a heavy duty shelf or trinkets acquired from exotic travels, they’re worth having in your home. However, the task of putting up a shelf can be quite tiring, especially without the right type of brackets. Allow us to help you, with a comprehensive guide on the best heavy duty shelf brackets.
Below you will find all the information needed to decide on which heavy duty bracket you should choose for your own shelf. From industrial style options to traditional wood, there are lots of brilliant options.
Top 6 Heavy Duty Shelf Brackets
1. Pipe Décor Industrial Shelf Brackets
If you’re a fan of the industrial look, these Pipe Décor shelf brackets are made for you. With a rustic straight from the factory look, they look great in any red bricked or modern interior. These shelf brackets come in a set of four and come in a steel gray color making them pop in your living room.
Not only do these stainless steel shelf brackets look sleek but they also offer superb heavy duty practicality too. You can load items confidently onto them without worrying about weight. These particular shelves are built to last and are super easy to clean too.
You can choose between 8, 10, and 12 inches for sizing and assembly is straightforward too. You will simply need to use the mounting hardware included with the shelves set to install them in your home. This is a simple way to carry out a home improvement that will provide easy storage while looking beautiful.
Pros
- 4 shelves come in one set
- They are ideal if you want to create a floating shelves look
- Made from sturdy stainless steel
- Hardware items are already included
Cons
- You may need to clean them before use in your home
2. Natch Half Round Decorative Shelving Brackets
Next up on our list, are these wonderful shelf brackets by Natch. If you are looking for a quick way to improve storage in your home, this type of shelf could be the answer you are seeking. You will only need to purchase a 48 inch long shelf to go with these heavy duty brackets and the rest is easy when it comes to setting up.
Featuring a half rounded design and in a bold black cast iron color, these shelves look great in any traditional living room. We like them adjacent to a fire place or next to a window, though they can fit in just about anywhere. If you want to install some wood shelves and are looking for the perfect heavy duty shelf brackets to match, you will love everything these Natch ones have to offer.
Pros
- Durable due to cast iron materials used
- Look fantastic in a traditional home with a half rounded design
- They pair wonderfully with wooden shelves
Cons
- Slightly higher in price than some heavy duty shelf brackets
3. LuckIn Heavy Duty Floating Shelves Bracket
Floating shelves look stunning in any type of home, but finding a reliable heavy duty bracket can be a task in itself. This 4 pack of LuckIn floating shelves brackets are ideal as they offer a universal style that will fit in any type of house. Whether you want to display them in the kitchen or use them in the living room for books, this shelving option is guaranteed to support a heavy weight capacity.
This pack of shelf brackets also comes with the mounting hardware needed for minimal fuss and the finish that you need. They are not prone to rust or corrosion and feature forged stainless steel construction for extra robustness. All in all, for any type of shelf in the home, these shelf brackets are a solid choice.
Pros
- They are both corrosion and rust proof
- The mounting hardware for these heavy duty shelves comes included
- Offer a good weight capacity for all sorts of items in the house
Cons
- They require drilling into studs due to their weight
4. Decko Heavy Duty Shelf Brackets
If you are seeking something simple when it comes to shelf brackets for your home, these Decko heavy duty brackets could be your best bet. While they aren’t the most heavy duty among this list, they still offer superb support for all types of floating shelves. You can choose from both a black and white color making them a versatile choice for any type of house decor and you’ll benefit from a pack of 10.
Shaped like a letter ‘L’ these shelf brackets are certainly strong due to the welding behind them. They come with 3 already pre-drilled holes making installation easy as it can get. While you will have to buy the additional hardware inclusive of screws yourself, the Decko shelf brackets offer superb value for money all round.
Pros
- Available in two colors allowing you to customize designs
- Great value for money with 10 shelf brackets in a single pack
- Have a solid heavy duty construction and the material looks great too
Cons
- The mounting hardware for these shelves will need to be bought separately
5. Yumore L Solid Shelf Brackets
If you’re a fan of stainless steel decor, you will enjoy the simple yet satisfying design that comes with these Yumore L shaped shelf brackets. Capable of supporting heavy items in the home, they have a great weight capacity and are easy to set up. They come in a pack of two and won’t rust or corrode due to their quality material. They’re a great space saver offering a fantastic alternative to traditional storage options.
By far one of the best heavy duty shelf brackets available, this set is going to help you create the shelving set up you have in mind for your home. You also benefit from free hanging hooks with your shelf brackets meaning you won’t have to worry about buying this hardware separately!
Pros
- Made of non-corroding stainless steel
- Support a heavy capacity making them ideal for big items
- Come with free hanging hooks for convenience
Cons
- Slightly higher in price than some other shelf brackets
6. A29 Classic Iron Shelf Brackets
Next up on our list of the best heavy duty brackets are the A29 classic model. Made of super strong cast iron and available in a range of finishes, these brackets are highly suitable for floating shelves. You can choose from a polished look, antique brass, rust, oil-rubbed bronze, and distressed white colorways to name just a few. These wall anchors come in a pack of 4 and with the hardware that you’ll need for installation.
The solid cast iron construction ensures that you can confidently place whatever items you wish onto the shelves and save space too. Overall, these brackets are a fantastic option if you’re seeking a design that is versatile and customizable. The size is perfect and the different finish styles are a great added extra.
Pros
- These iron brackets are super strong and are not prone to corrosion
- They can be used for all sorts of items due to good weight capacity
- Available in a number of different finishes
- Come with all the hardware needed
Cons
- Only 4 are included with each pack
Best Budget Heavy Duty Shelf Bracket
There are plenty of great affordable shelf brackets out there and if you’re wondering what the best budget option is, we’ve selected one for you. The LuckIn 4 pack of 8 inch metal brackets are a superb option if you’re looking to save cash on this type of purchase without compromising on style. They come with all the mounting hardware needed for quick installing and minimal fuss while boasting a sleek and modern design.
Considerations Choosing a Heavy Duty Brackets
If you’ve never bought these type of items before, you’ll be probably looking for some guidance on what to look out for. Below we’ve provided information on all the details you need to know from style to length, installation, and overall design.
Materials Used
The materials used to construct wall brackets really matter, especially if you are seeking a strong option that can withhold heavier weight. The most common materials used for brackets include stainless steel and iron which are both renowned for their durability and overall strength. We advise that you seek one of these materials when choosing the wall bracket for your home.
Designs
Depending on the interior style that you have in your house, you may be looking for a particular style. Most come in the shape of the letter ‘L’ as after installation there is space to place the wood on the top easily. However, with this said, some are more of an anchor shape and others take on different shapes completely inclusive of geometric shapes. No matter the type of design that you want for your wall, always be sure to check the level of support the brackets offer as they need to be practical as well and look great!
Hardware
When it comes to the installation of the brackets that you have chosen, you may have to buy the accompanying hardware. For installation, screws are usually required for the wall in order for the brackets to be fitted before a shelf is placed on the top. When choosing your brackets be sure to give thought to the hardware elements you need such as screws for the holes you will drill and nails where required.
How Much Weight Will a Shelf Bracket hold?
Shelf brackets are designed to spread the weight of the items placed on the shelf. With this said, they will still only hold a certain amount of weight before being damaged. Super strong steel brackets can generally hold up to 1000lbs before you risk them breaking or being pulled out of the wall. The quality of the brackets that you choose will greatly impact how much they can hold weight-wise too. Therefore, we always recommend choosing brackets that are made of durable materials such as iron or steel.
How do I Choose a Shelf Bracket?
When choosing shelf brackets there will be a few things that you should think about before settling on the style that is right for your needs. Because brackets range in sizes, you will need to find a product that is compatible with the shelf that you want to put up. You should plan to use brackets that are just slightly shorter than the depth of the shelves that you will be installing. This will give you extra room and ensure that they fit well into the space that they are being fixed.
How do you support a heavy floating shelf?
If you plan to fit floating shelves into your interior space, wall brackets are a must. You should choose the best brackets for these types of shelves which generally are heavy duty in construction. Iron and steel brackets make an excellent choice and are certainly going to support the items on the heavy floating shelf. Make sure that you fit the bracket securely in order to keep the shelf in place and prevent it from falling.
How Deep Should Shelf Brackets Be?
Wondering how deep your shelf brackets should be? In general, you should aim to find a bracket that is around 5 inches to 24 inches deep depending on the load capacity you’re going to load onto it. You should also ensure that the brackets you choose are slightly shorter than the depth of your shelves. So, if you’re going to install shelves that are 8 inches deep, use a 7-inch product to do the job.
