Varieties and manufacture of hanging shelves for TV

Hanging shelves are a simple and affordable product that not only has functional features, but is also an element of the interior. Thanks to such shelves, it is possible not only to conveniently place the TV, but also save space in the room and decorate it.

Types of hanging shelves

Hanging TV shelves differ in design, width – it depends on the TV model, as well as the installation method. The older the TV, the wider you have to buy / make a shelf. Hanging shelves are mounted with brackets and plugs, thanks to which it is possible to place the TV at a certain angle – to make viewing more comfortable. Hanging shelf options:

• Corner. This is a simple option that is suitable for small TVs. You can easily make such a shelf with your own hands. Install it in the corner – between the mating walls.
• Wall. It is hung on the wall, allowing you to conveniently place the TV, and, if necessary, other items.
• Suspended. They save space and fit well into the interiors of small rooms. The disadvantage of hanging shelves is the complexity of design and installation.
• With bracket. This option differs in the method of attachment and is rare. It is extremely difficult to make such a shelf on your own.
• Shelf cabinet. They look like cabinets that have been lifted from the floor and hung on the wall. Their feature is the presence of additional shelves on which you can place various useful and necessary gizmos.
• Cast. These are products of intricate form, usually made in a modernist or avant-garde style. They are usually made of metal or glass. They are made in the form of ladders, cubes, irregular shapes with smooth outlines.
• Frame. They look like cabinets without doors, in which TVs are built. They form peculiar niches that stand out stylistically in the interior.

For old TVs – thick and heavy, you need simple shelves without any tilts and turns, the main thing is that they are reliable and can withstand the weight of the device.

What materials are the shelves made from?

Many buyers, when choosing a TV shelf, first of all look at what it is made of. The strength of the shelf, durability, appearance, cost, and other features depend on the material of manufacture. Hanging shelves are made from a variety of materials, and each option has its pros and cons.

From chipboard

Chipboard – chipboard, made by pressing chips and other wood particles. This inexpensive material is widely used for the manufacture of a variety of furniture.
Pros:

• resistant to moisture;
• not afraid of temperature changes;
• low price.

Minuses:

• only rectangular shape;
• in the manufacture of chipboard, binders are used, which subsequently emit toxic fumes;
• low resistance to mechanical stress;
• little durability.

From MDF

MDF is a medium density fiberboard. They are more durable than chipboard, and are considered a higher quality building material. Boards are made by dry pressing wood shavings at high pressure and temperature.
Pros:

• can be easily given any shape;
• safety for health – unlike chipboard, it does not emit harmful fumes;
• moisture resistance;
• resistance to fire and chemical attack;
• strength;
• does not bulge and does not bend;
• does not dry out over time;
• durability.

Minuses:

• insufficient hardness of materials;
• low resistance to mechanical stress;
• high price.

Shelves made of MDF and chipboard are ideal for rooms with a low level of humidity.

from wood

Wooden products are always appropriate and fit perfectly into different interiors. This material makes beautiful, durable and reliable hanging shelves that can withstand the heaviest TVs.
Pros:

• easy processing of the material;
• the ability to give the product any shape;
• durability;
• high price.

Minuses:

• combustibility;
• insufficient resistance to moisture and temperature extremes.

Wood, properly treated, is protected from moisture, mold, and other adverse effects.

metal

Hanging shelves are commonly used in modern interiors. They fit perfectly into the design of rooms decorated in high-tech, loft, modern styles. The main advantage and difference between metal shelves is durability. If you securely install a metal shelf, it will withstand any load.
Pros:

• resistance to mechanical and chemical influences;
• easy to clean – just wipe with a damp cloth;
• has dust-repellent properties;
• strength and reliability – you can install very heavy TVs.

Minuses:

• high price;
• not universal – not suitable for all interiors.

From glass

Shelves made of glass, designed to install a TV, look extremely original and stylish. They look great in a variety of interiors, but most often they are used when decorating rooms in modern styles.
Pros:

• aesthetics and attractiveness, give the interior lightness, make the room more spacious and bright;
• moisture resistance;
• high strength and reliability – tempered glass is used;
• large selection of designs and styles.

Minuses:

• insufficient resistance to mechanical stress;
• slippery surfaces;
• complex care;
• high price.

When choosing a glass shelf, you should pay attention to the quality of the glass, it can be different and depends on the manufacturing technology. Glass happens:

• Sheet. Suitable only for a shelf under a light TV. It is thin and breaks into many fragments upon impact.
• Hardened. This is sheet glass subjected to high temperature treatment. Tempered glass is much stronger than ordinary sheet glass, so shelves made from it are suitable for medium-weight TVs.
• Triplex. This glass is multi-layered. Between the layers of glass there are special interlayers that hold the layers together. Triplex shelves will not break, even with strong impacts. Suitable for almost all types of TVs.
• Float. This glass is obtained by pouring the molten mass onto the metal. It is this material that is most often used for the manufacture of glass shelves.
• Reinforced. This version of glass is suitable even for the heaviest and bulky TV models. Reinforced glass is very strong and durable.
• Acrylic. It’s actually not glass, but plastic. The material is thin enough, scratches easily appear on it, but strong enough – it can be turned, drilled, subjected to other types of processing.

Pros and cons of hanging shelves

Hanging shelves are just one of the options for installing a TV, which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pros:

• attractive appearance;
• the ability to choose an option suitable for a specific interior;
• allows you to remove the TV upstairs, freeing up a piece of free space;
• if you place the TV high above the floor, it will be protected from children and pets.

Minuses:

• any flaws or installation errors threaten the fall of the structure, as a result – a broken TV;
• a falling shelf with a TV is dangerous for the lives of children and pets;
• wrong height choice – placing a shelf above / below eye level causes them to quickly fatigue when watching TV.

The main thing to pay attention to when choosing and installing hinged shelves is the reliability of fastening. If you choose this installation method, you must be 100% sure that the shelf and TV will not crash down. The installation of hanging shelves should be trusted to professionals who have the tools and fastening materials for all occasions. If you install the shelf correctly, then it will not have any flaws.

Criterias of choice

The market offers a wide variety of hanging shelves, which differ from each other not only in price, appearance, but also in other nuances. In order for the shelf to fit the TV exactly and fully correspond to the tasks assigned to it, choose it according to the criteria below. What to look for when choosing hanging shelves:

• Manufacturing material. Wood is a traditional material for making furniture, and it remains the best solution today. Along with wooden products, hinged shelves made of metal, glass, and other materials are used. When choosing, consider the strength of the product and the load, the appearance of the shelves and personal preferences.
• Structural features. Hanging shelves can be attached using various fasteners. Shelves suspended on the wall are considered the most reliable and practical option.
• Dimensions. When choosing a shelf, consider two points – the size of the TV and the amount of free space under the shelf. First of all, pay attention to the width and depth of the shelf – these dimensions determine whether the TV will fit on it.

Before you buy a TV shelf, decide in advance where it will be installed. Measure the space allotted for the shelf with a tape measure. Usually, hanging shelves for TV are placed on the wall opposite the sofas and armchairs.

Where is the best place to install?

Installing the shelf requires serious intervention in the surface of the walls. We have to break the integrity of the walls, mount fasteners. Therefore, it is necessary to think carefully before installing a hinged shelf. What to look for when choosing an installation location for a hanging shelf:

• Shelf under the TV is not a place next to heating appliances. This is strictly prohibited. In addition to batteries, stoves, ovens, fireplaces, etc. are considered heating appliances. The most popular place to install a TV shelf is a niche.
• From the floor to the shelf should be at least 1 m. Not less. This is necessary so that watching TV does not harm the eyes.
• When installing, take into account the distance from the screen to the viewing location. It should not be less than 1.3 and 3.5 m, respectively, for models of 32 and 85 inches. On average, from the screen to the person sitting on the couch, there should be at least 2 m.
• The TV screen must be at a right angle. For sofas and armchairs. A slight deviation is possible, but not more than 30%.
• The TV cannot be placed in front of windows. During daylight hours, there will be glare on the screen – this will lead to eye strain, which is harmful to vision. You can put the TV screen to the window only in one case, if there are very thick curtains on the windows that do not let in light.
• You can not hang the shelves under the TV on fragile walls. This is especially important for large plasma TVs, which can weigh up to 30 kg. They can only be placed on shelves suspended from brick or concrete walls.

When choosing an installation location for a hanging shelf, consider the features of the room:

• Kitchen. There is a lot of steam, it is often humid and hot, here you need shelves that are resistant to such conditions and take up a minimum of space. The optimal solution is a metal or glass corner shelf located above eye level.
• Living room. Here the conditions are much more favorable than in the kitchen, so you can install a shelf from any material – wood, MDF or another. Unless chipboard is not suitable – it looks too cheap. The shelf is chosen wide, thick, such that a large TV can fit. The installation is done so that the TV is convenient to watch for the whole family.
• Bedroom. TV is usually not installed here. But, if a positive decision is made, they are guided by the general installation rules.
• Children’s. A shelf without sharp corners is placed as far as possible from the crib. It is recommended to mount it on reliable brackets. Do not place the TV above the height of the child, as watching it from below is harmful to the eyes.

How to make a hanging shelf yourself?

If desired, and with minimal skills in working with tools, you can make a TV stand yourself. The easiest option is a corner shelf, everyone can handle it.

What is required for work?

To make a hanging shelf for a TV, you need to prepare all the necessary materials and tools in advance so that during work you are not distracted by searching for the missing components.

To make a corner shelf, you will need some kind of wood – plywood or boards.

Tools for work:

• electric jigsaw or hand saw;
• drill with drills of different diameters;
• building level – it is needed to evenly install the shelf;
• screws and dowels;
• Phillips screwdriver;
• measuring device – tape measure, ruler, etc.;
• self-adhesive tape.

Step-by-step instruction

Decide in which corner of the kitchen you will place the shelf and cut a piece of plywood or board that fits the size. If there is a heating pipe at the installation site, carefully cut off the excess from the board so that the corner fits perfectly into place. Cut the board with a saw or jigsaw. It is especially convenient to work with a jigsaw, then the work will be done in a matter of minutes. Having prepared a piece of wood, then follow the step-by-step instructions below. The procedure for manufacturing a corner hinged shelf:

1. Sand the surface of the board to maximum smoothness. Tape it with self-adhesive tape – choose the color and pattern according to your taste.
2. Screw the mounting brackets to the shelf with self-tapping screws. These corners are needed to hang the shelf to the wall, so they must be fixed with maximum reliability. The length of the screws should be slightly less than the thickness of the shelf so that they do not pierce the board.
3. On the wall, make notes where you want to attach the shelf. Drill four holes.
4. Place the dowels in the prepared holes and press them down so that they do not protrude from the wall. If necessary, lightly tap the dowels with a hammer.
5. Put the shelf in its place and screw it to the wall.
6. Check fastening strength. Check the levelness of the installation using a spirit level. Level the shelf if necessary.
7. Put the TV on the shelf. Remove the wires so that they are not confused before your eyes. If you wish, put a small pot with a flower next to the TV – for beauty.

Video on how to make a hanging TV shelf:
If desired, you can make a shelf of two “floors” to use the lower one for storing useful items.

How to decorate shelves?

A hanging TV shelf is not only a functional piece of furniture, but also an interior element. The shelf itself is a wonderful decoration – due to the shape, color, material. But, if desired, the shelf can be decorated additionally. How to decorate a hanging shelf:

• Thread. This option is suitable for wooden shelves. The thread is usually applied to the ends of the shelves. As a rule, these are simple geometric ornaments or floral patterns. This option fits especially harmoniously into eco-style interiors.
• Painted. Such a solution is universal, as it is applicable for shelves made of any material, including metal. The painting is usually applied to the ends of the shelves.
• Engraving. It is applied to metal or glass surfaces. With the help of engraving technology, patterns and ornaments are applied to the side sections. Or you can engrave your favorite quote.
• brackets. This is the most popular option and is suitable for all shelves except glass, as you cannot drill holes in them. Brackets use geometric, with patterns and original shapes. The intricate shape of the brackets fits especially harmoniously into classic interiors.
• LED strips. It can be stretched along the edge of the hinged shelf. The backlight will emphasize the outlines of the shelf in the dark, creating a flicker. In such tapes, you can switch not only the intensity of light, but also the color of the bulbs. LED strips are not recommended for wooden shelves, but they look great in combination with glass products. If you organize hidden lighting, the glass shelf will be illuminated from the inside.

Also in the TV area, you can organize spot lighting. At the top, above the shelf, small rounded lamps are installed. Mount them at some distance from the TV. When the main light is turned off in the room, these lamps will illuminate the TV area. Near the shelf under the TV, you can install additional shelves – to put various accessories on them. This solution is much more effective than painting or carving. Hanging shelf accessories:

• Figurines. Figures made in the same style or being part of the same collection look especially beautiful. Consider the style of the interior of the room – the figurines should fit harmoniously into it.
• Flowers. Stylish pots with small flowers are ideal for American-style rooms. On the free space of the main shelf or on the adjacent additional shelves, small vases with bouquets look beautiful, which are changed every 3-4 days. Flowers for installation on shelves are selected according to your taste, the main condition is compactness. Too bulky flowers will not work.
• Photo. They are suitable for any style, except for those in which there are no accessories as such. Preference should be given to professional photographs that have a certain artistic value.
• Disks. On the shelves you can put bright boxes with discs for a DVD player – this is also a kind of accessory suitable for classic styles.
• Other. Books, souvenirs, origami and much more can also serve as decoration for hanging shelves. Another option is to decorate the wall behind the shelf with photo wallpapers, a poster, graffiti. This solution is suitable for the loft style.

What shelves are available?

On sale there is a wide choice of the hinged shelves made of glass, a tree, metal, other materials. You can buy such shelves both in stationary outlets and in online stores – with delivery to the post office or to your home. Product examples:

• Wall shelf iTECHmount DVD-1 for TV devices. Height adjustable. The material is tempered glass. Additional materials – steel, plastic. The maximum load is 8 kg. Weight: 1.6 kg. Price: 1 090 rub.
• Hinged shelf with fasteners HIT (wenge). Dimensions: 800x164x10 mm. Production material – wenge (a rare and valuable breed of tropical wood). Price: 1,190 rubles.
• Regiment Merdes PK-1. Height – 2.5 cm. Production material – chipboard. The surface is matte. Price: 2 030 rub.
• Shelf hinged Light light walnut 59-19. Production material – wood. Dimensions (SHKHGHV) – 590x190x140 mm. Price: 920 rubles.

If there is no shelf on sale that would suit you in terms of size, appearance, material of manufacture and other parameters, you can order it. There are companies that perform such work on individual orders. Hanging TV shelves are a simple and affordable solution that allows you to rationally use the area of ​​\u200b\u200brooms. A large selection of shelves offered by manufacturers allows each consumer to find an option that is best suited to his taste, finances, features of the TV and the room.