I recently set up some shelving units from Lowes and attached the rails to the walls. Everything looks good so far, but I didn't specifically look for the wooden studs when I installed them. Each shelf has three rails with a total of five screws. Am I required to redo the installation to ensure they're in studs, or can they stay as is?
2 Answers
It's really important to secure shelving to studs when you can. If those shelves aren't anchored to anything solid, the weight might just pull them out of the drywall over time. So yeah, it's worth double-checking! If you find you didn't hit any studs, you might need to consider some heavier-duty anchors.
It kind of depends on your setup. If the screws are grabbing well and not stripping, you might be okay for lighter loads. But generally, it’s best to use drywall anchors or toggle bolts if you can’t hit the studs directly. Relying solely on screws just into drywall isn't ideal. Also, if you can, check if you've at least hit some studs along the way!
Exactly! The bigger and heavier the shelf and items, the more you want to ensure solid anchoring. Good anchors can hold quite a bit, so it’s worth investing there if studs aren't an option.

Totally agree! Using drywall anchors is a great alternative if you missed the studs. Just make sure they're rated for the weight you plan to put on those shelves.