I'm looking for some advice on drywall anchors since I need to hang shelves on an exterior wall, but unfortunately, the studs aren't lined up for both sides of the shelves. Each side will have two screws—one side into a stud, and for the other side, I'll need to use drywall anchors. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options and don't want to use those cheap plastic anchors since they won't hold much weight. I've also seen self-tapping anchors, but I'm wary of the size of the holes they leave. I found some metal, no-drill options, but I'm not familiar with those either. I don't plan to store heavy items, but I need something that's reliable. Any recommendations?
2 Answers
For something like this, I'd recommend using toggle bolts—they're known for being super strong in drywall. My dad always says they can hold anywhere from 100 to 300 pounds, which is pretty reliable! If you want a slightly simpler option, you might also consider the smaller green plastic anchors from Home Depot. Just a heads up though, if you want the strongest solution possible, spanning wood across the studs for your shelves can work, but it's not always visually appealing. But for your application, toggles could definitely do the trick!
I get why you might skip the wood option. Some styles just don't suit it. Toggle bolts are indeed reliable, though! There's always a trade-off with hole size, but worth it for stability.
Check out this awesome video that compares different types of drywall anchors—it might help clarify which ones suit your needs best! It covers the strengths and weaknesses of various anchor types: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHb-Tcvkn7M
Toggle bolts sound great! I’ll have to keep them in mind. I agree, the wood solution would look a bit off for nice shelving. Just knowing that toggles hold solidly is reassuring!