Without Anchors

• 1). Find the studs in the wall. Studs are vertical pieces of wood that make up the frame of the wall and are generally spaced 16 inches apart, according to Sawdustmaking.com. Starting in the corner, measure out 16 inches and gently tap the wall with your hand or a rubber mallet. The tapping will sound hollow between the studs and solid at the location of the stud. When you locate a stud, measure another 16 inches and tap until you find the next stud. If studs are located in areas where you can use them to secure your shelf, move on to Step 2. If not, proceed to Section 2 Step 1, With Anchors.
  
  
• 2). Mark the approximate placement of the shelves. Use a tape measure to measure from the floor to the height at which the shelves will be hung on the studs. Consider the age of the child and what will be housed on the shelves when deciding the height.
  
  
• 3). Screw directly into the wall. Use drywall screws to screw the shelf directly into the wall at the studs if the shelf allows. If there is no wooden strip on the shelf to drill through, drill screws into the wall and hang the shelf on the screws.
  
  

With Anchors

• 1). Mark the wall. Use a tape measure and level to mark the exact placement of anchors with a pencil.
  
  
• 2). Drill the holes. Using a drill, drill a hole where you made the pencil marks.
  
  
• 3). Tap in the anchors. Using a rubber mallet or hammer, gently tap the anchors into the pre-drilled holes.
  
  
• 4). Drill the screws into the anchors, leaving enough of the screw sticking out so the shelf can hang securely.