Corbels and brackets are very similar architectural features, with the main difference being that corbels are made of wood, whereas brackets are made of metal. Another distinction within these groups is whether your corbels are load bearing or if they are merely decorative.
People use weight bearing corbels to hold up heavy items in their homes, like granite countertops or fireplace mantels. If you need a load bearing implement for a corbel wall shelf, you want to make sure you have the proper hardware.
Load bearing corbels are generally reinforced with steel, even if they have a wooden exterior. They will feel heavier than a regular, decorative corbel and should be mounted into a stud or another fortified section of the wall. If you’re relying on your corbels to bear a lot of weight, use screws instead of nails.
Corbels are architectural elements that are both beautiful to look at and functional. Historically, corbels were carved stone or wooden additions that held up entire buildings. Today you can use them to support a new wall shelf.