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Floating shelves can be a clever solution for expanding your storage potential, especially if you have limited room with excess wall space. And besides giving your trinkets, plants, and kitchen essentials a new home, they can elevate a room’s personality, whether you’re partial to a lived-in cottage style or a sleek modern aesthetic.
To find the best floating shelves, we evaluated dozens of products on factors such as size, material, weight capacity, and style. For expert tips on choosing and installing floating shelves, we also consulted Mimi Meacham, the owner and principal designer of Marian Louise Design, a full-service design firm.
Their clean, simple design makes them versatile for various home styles.
They can be a bit expensive, especially if you want to buy more than just one shelf.
Pottery Barn’s Brighton Floating Wood Shelves happen to be one of Meacham’s top suggested picks, and for good reason. These minimalist shelves shine in their simplicity, which makes them perfect for embracing a clean, modern style, but also versatile enough for most spaces. In addition to their simple look, they come in beautiful neutral finishes such as white ash, bright white, gray wash, walnut, and black. With their easy-to-match colors, you can use these shelves to display books, pottery, plants, plates, and more.
When it comes to material, these shelves feature sturdy and gorgeous kiln-dried mango veneers with wood hardware. With mounting hardware included, you can get to hanging your shelves right away. The only thing to consider is that these are a bit expensive, but the investment is well worth it for the quality that you get.
Dimensions: Starts from 36 x 8 x 2.5 inches | Material: Kiln-dried mango veneers with wood hardware | Weight Capacity: Starts from 25 pounds | Lip: No
The set features a handsome wood material and offers plenty of space at an affordable price.
The shelves only come in one color option.
If you have plenty of knicknacks, plants, or frames, a floating shelf set may be your best bet to help you save on buying individual shelves. This affordable and stylish set from Birch Lane features two shelves plus mounting hardware for all of your displaying needs. Each shelf is handcrafted in Texas, and the distressing reveals the lovely natural grain of the solid alder wood.
Those with lots of items to display will appreciate how much space this offers, as each shelf measures 28 x 4 x 4.75 inches, and features a lip to keep your items from falling. The only downside is that this set only comes in one color — walnut. While it’s a handsome color, it may be too dark for those who prefer a brighter shelf set.
Dimensions: 28 x 4 x 4.75 inches | Material: Solid alder wood | Weight Capacity: 15 pounds | Lip: Yes
It's a set of three different sized corner shelves for a stylishly tiered effect.
Each shelf can only carry up to 3 pounds.
Corners can be a bit awkward to style, but this three-piece floating shelf set from Three Posts makes it easy to keep those odd corners chic and functional. Not only are the pieces made of sturdy solid wood, they also come in a convenient set of three, so you can use them to hold an assortment of items. We also like that the pieces come with pre-drilled holes — all you have to do is hammer in the provided screws.
The square shelf pieces, which come in a versatile neutral brown color, feature different measurements (8-, 10-, and 12-inches), so you get a subtle tiered effect for added visual interest. However, we wouldn’t recommend displaying anything too heavy on these shelves. Each shelf can only hold about 3 pounds, so you should definitely avoid weighty books and ceramics.
Dimensions: 8-, 10-, and 12-inch squares that are 3.5 inches high | Material: Solid wood | Weight Capacity: 3 pounds per shelf | Lip: No
It offers a sleek style and sturdy finish at a budget-friendly price point.
It does not come with wall-mounting screws.
Although floating wall shelves can cost a pretty penny, the LACK wall shelf from IKEA will offer you bang for your buck. For a sleek and simple aesthetic, this shelf has concealed steel mounting hardware and comes in easy-to-match neutral finishes. Although it’s made out of particleboard and fiberboard rather than solid wood, it does have plastic edging and a clear acrylic lacquer finish for decent durability.
Do keep in mind that IKEA doesn’t include wall-mounting screws for these wall shelves, so you’ll need to buy your own. Despite this drawback, the shelf is relatively sturdy, holding up to 22-pounds. Plus, you can complement this floating shelf with other pieces from IKEA’s LACK series, which notably features blocky, minimalist styles.
Dimensions: 43.25 x 10.25 x 2 inches | Material: Particleboard and fiberboard, with plastic edging and clear acrylic lacquer | Weight Capacity: 22 pounds | Lip: No
It has a guard rail to secure your items.
The railing finish is limited to one color option.
Since bathrooms tend to be wet and humid, wood may not always be the best option for shelving. While a glass floating shelf can sound precarious, this sturdy tempered glass pick by Ebern Designs not only has a solid 10 pound weight capacity, it can also be mounted on any type of wall, including tile. For extra precaution, it also features a sleek guard rail to ensure that your items won’t topple over.
Whether you want to place it in your shower or by your sink, installation is relatively smooth thanks to the included hardware. Something you might want to consider, however, is that there’s only one railing finish in chrome, so this might not be your go-to pick if you prefer a brass or gold accent. If you don’t mind the chrome finish, you’ll be happy to know that this shelf’s 23.5-inch width offers plenty of space for displaying personal care products in your bathroom.
Dimensions: 23.5 x 5.5 x 2 inches | Material: Glass and metal | Weight Capacity: 10 pounds | Lip: No, but has rail
The solid pine wood shelves offer solid weight capacity and feature a heavy-duty mounting bracket.
The pre-stained shelf options run a bit dark.
Floating shelves can extend your kitchen’s storage and organization space, but you want to make sure that you choose something durable. “Kitchen shelves are needed for lifting things like dishes, pitchers, and servingware, so they will need to be sturdier and possibly thicker,” Meacham advises. For this reason, we like the Homeforia Rustic Farmhouse Floating Shelves, which can each carry up to 50 pounds.
No matter if you want to display utensils, bowls, or spices, these shelves can handle the load of basic kitchen supplies. While the shelves are pretty affordable, they’re also made with high-quality solid pine wood, so you can expect them to last. Moreover, each set includes a heavy-duty metal mounting bracket, which means that you should be able to get to installation immediately. If you’re particular about shelf color, keep in mind that most of the pre-stained shelf options run a bit dark.
Dimensions: Starts at 16 x 6.5 x 1.75 inches | Material: Solid pine wood | Weight Capacity: 50 pounds | Lip: No
It features beautiful brass accents to give your space a luxurious touch.
The shelf is somewhat heavy.
Ballard Designs’ Mineret Shelf is arguably one of the most beautiful floating shelf options on our list, and also comes highly recommended by Meacham. If you have ornate decor and brass details on knobs and handles, this floating shelf can make your space feel extra sophisticated with its turned posts and luxurious metal rails. It even features a little groove in the back, which makes it perfect for displaying artwork or fine china.
When integrating this lovely shelf into your space, you can choose between a dark walnut and soft white shelf finish. Installing the shelf should also be a breeze, as the entire piece comes fully assembled right off the bat. Just keep in mind that since this product features many metal parts and hardware, it can feel a bit heavy.
Dimensions: 36 x 12.5 x 6.25 inches | Material: Metal and wood | Weight Capacity: Not listed | Lip: No, but has rail
The acrylic material is versatile for most styles, and its UV resistance ensures that it won’t yellow over time.
It doesn’t have a high weight capacity.
The beautiful thing about acrylic is that its inherently see-through quality can seamlessly blend in with most decor styles, and this acrylic shelf from The Container Store is no exception. While this versatile shelf can hold a variety of objects, its smooth, acrylic surface runs little risk of rot or water damage from accidental spills. We also like that it’s UV resistant, which means that it won’t develop an unseemly yellow tinge over time.
There are, however, a few things to consider when you buy these acrylic shelves. Firstly, acrylic isn’t a particularly strong material for a floating shelf, so this shelf’s weight capacity is limited to four pounds (more than this might cause it to crack, or worse, shatter). Additionally, this shelf doesn’t come with hanging hardware, so it will require a bit of work on your part to install it.
Dimensions: Starts from 12 x 6 x 2.25 inches | Material: Acrylic | Weight Capacity: 4 pounds | Lip: No
The shelves are lightweight and can carry up to 15 pounds each.
The iron material may be prone to rusting.
For floating shelves that look like they’re not even there, this set of three shelves from Urban Outfitters will definitely give you that desired effect. While they have extra thin bases and only weigh about 2 pounds total, each shelf can hold up to 15 pounds. In particular, they work perfectly for displaying your favorite novels to give you the magical illusion of floating book stacks.
The only major drawback to note with these shelves is the iron metal it's made out of. While this is certainly a sturdy and durable material, it is prone to rusting. To minimize this, we recommend avoiding using them to hold live plants or vases carrying water, and stick to books, trinkets, and other solid/dry objects.
Dimensions: 5.25 x 5.5 x 5.5 inches | Material: Iron metal | Weight Capacity: 15 pounds | Lip: No
It features an impressive weight capacity of 100 pounds
Its large size does make it costly.
Whether it best suits your wall space, or you simply have a lot of things to display, the Holman Handmade Floating Ledge from Pottery Barn makes for a stylish display if you need a long shelf. Measuring 60 inches wide, this floating shelf offers plenty of space for showcasing your favorite frames and ceramics. Moreover, the shelf can hold up to 100 pounds, and it also has a lip to keep your belongings safe and sound.
For a lovely finish, this shelf is available in versatile neutrals such as seadrift, rustic wood, black, and modern white. The wood is also straight-grained, so you can expect it to look even. Due to its oversized nature, this floating shelf is a bit pricey compared to other options. But if maximizing your wall or storage space is a priority, this long floating shelf is certainly well worth the money.
Dimensions: 60 x 4.5 x 3.5 inches, with smaller options available | Material: Poplar wood | Weight Capacity: 100 pounds | Lip: Yes
Their clean, simple style makes them versatile to suit different styles.
They only come in one color option.
Perfect for a modern or industrial decor style, these metal shelves from West Elm can be a sturdy way to extend your storage space. When it comes to design, these iron shelves can’t be considered invisible since they come with lips. Still, the extra edge could give you peace of mind if you’re worried about your objects tipping over.
The smallest version of this shelf can hold up to 25 pounds, while larger options also increase in weight capacity. Not to mention, the shelves’ dark color and clean lines make them versatile enough to integrate seamlessly into most spaces. The only downside is that your color option is limited to bronze, which some may find a little dull.
Dimensions: Starts at 24 x 4 x 2 inches | Material: Iron | Weight Capacity: Starts at 25 pounds | Lip: Yes
They are spacious, durable, and come in dozens of size options.
They are made to order, so delivery may take some time.
For a high-quality, frills-free wooden floating shelf, we love Urbandi’s Rustic Floating Shelves. These beautifully crafted pine shelves have a decent weight capacity, featuring a bracket capable of holding up to 40 pounds per stud. In terms of space, Urbandi offers dozens of size options, starting from 12 x 6 x 1.75 inches for this particular model.
For the perfect finish, you can choose from an aged barrel or oak, Jacobean, or provincial wood stain. Alternatively, you could get an unfinished shelf and stain it yourself for a personal DIY touch. Just be aware that these shelves are made to order, so it can take up to five business days for your order to process.
Dimensions: Starts from 12 x 6 x 1.75 in | Material: Pine wood | Weight Capacity: 40 pounds per stud | Lip: No
The Pottery Barn Brighton Floating Wood Shelves are our top floating shelf pick due to their simplistic, yet versatile style, and multiple finish and size options to suit most preferences. However, if budget is priority, the IKEA LACK Wall Shelf is offered at an affordable price point, but you do have to find purchase wall mount screws separately.
When purchasing a floating shelf, it’s highly important that you take measurements of the dimensions of the space you wish to install it to ensure that it will actually fit. Moreover, when choosing your shelf width and depth, consider any wall displays or furniture pieces you want to keep next to your shelf since you don’t want the area to look too cluttered.
Floating shelves come in many different types of materials, including fiberboard, solid wood, metal, and acrylic. The best material for your shelving system can depend on many factors, such as your budget, personal style, and items on display. Ahead are some of the pros and cons of the most popular floating shelf materials:
Floating shelves come in a wide range of styles and designs, so you can incorporate them into your space no matter if your taste leans modern, industrial, rustic, or eclectic. For example, you can choose a subtle, neutral color that blends in with your decor or go for a bold, contrasting color that makes your shelf a focal point in your space. Consider also seeking details that complement your existing space — think metal shelf accents to coordinate with metal cabinet handles and knobs.
When setting up your floating shelves, Meacham suggests you “let the surrounding space and desired function be your guide.” Essentially, the best layout for floating shelves will ultimately depend on what’s around your shelves and how you plan to use them. A vertical lineup with two or three shelves is a classic setup, but you could also experiment with an asymmetrical placement. For example, if you have three shelves, you could flush your middle shelf a little bit to the right or left.
Once you’ve mounted your floating shelves, the next step is to display your items. You can create a dynamic setup by arranging items with different textures and sizes. Still, be sure not to overdo it. While it’s tempting to pack your shelves, minimizing clutter will prevent your shelves from sagging.
Floating shelves can sag over time, which can cause all of your displayed objects to fall off. This usually occurs due to improper installation, overloading the shelf, or insufficient support. To fix sagging, you should take your shelf off of the wall, and inspect the mounting bracket to see if it requires new studs or repairing/replacing.
Meacham is a strong proponent of securing floating shelves to studs, which are beams that support your home’s frame. “If you must, [floating shelves] can also be attached to plaster or drywall, but make sure you have the proper wall anchors necessary for the potential load of the shelf.” You can easily find studs with a stud finder from an online or local hardware retailer.
slatwall shelf This article was written by Stacey Nguyen, a Real Simple shopping contributing writer who has several years of experience in writing home and lifestyle content. She spent dozens of hours researching the best floating shelves, weighing factors such as style, size, material, and weight capacity. For expert tips on buying and installing shelves, she reached out to Mimi Meacham, the owner and principal designer of Marian Louise Design, a full-service design firm.