Ellen’s Brackets
Available exclusively at Simon’s Hardware and Bath
421 Third Ave., nr. 30th St.; 212-532-9220
For shelving jobs, Simon’s Hardware employees swear by the ultraconvenient Ellen’s Brackets system, which has ranked among their most popular items for the past five years. You’ll need a screwdriver to install the two standards (a mere eight screws will safely mount them to the wall), but adjusting shelf height is a breeze. The design’s brilliance stems from two titanium pins inserted through holes in the standards that anchor the brackets in place, securing 3/4-inch-thick boards for up to 60 pounds. Need to make room for a tall book? Just remove the pins, adjust the shelf to the new height, and reinsert.