Unlock the Potential of Your Walls with Floating Shelves
Whether you live in a studio apartment or sprawling mansion, you have a finite square footage to work with. There’s only so much floor space to hold furniture, appliances, decor, and most important, storage. The smaller the space, the fewer the opportunities for storing and displaying your beloved objects. That’s where the walls come in. The untapped element in any room, walls provide much-needed vertical space. If you’re not sure how to use your vertical space, let us recommend floating shelves.
The Benefits of Floating Shelves
Named for the floating appearance they get from hidden hardware, floating shelves are chic, minimal, and great for decorating or storage. The best floating shelf ideas combine functionality with style. No matter your decorating style, floating shelves can be incorporated into your space. You can use them in the kitchen to hold extra dinnerware or forego cabinets altogether. In the bedroom, opt for floating shelves as part of your closet setup or use them to display family photos or your book collection. There are endless possibilities.
Floating shelves, because of their lack of visible mounting hardware, take up less space than traditional shelving systems. This makes them perfect for small spaces where every inch counts.
15 Designer-Approved Floating Shelf Ideas
Now that you know about all the possibilities for floating shelves, you might be wondering where to hang them. We’ve got you covered with 15 designer-approved floating shelf ideas. Here are some ultimate shelf inspirations:
- Keep Your Cookbooks On Hand – In House Beautiful Editorial Director Joanna Saltz’s kitchen, cookbooks are kept not only within reach but also easy to find. It’s the ideal storage solution for those of us who are better at remembering books’ covers rather than their titles.
- Display Shoes like Art – Treat your shoes like the investments they are rather than throwing them in a pile in your closet. With a series of floating shelves, designer Tasmin Johnson ensures that this client will always know what they have. Place seasonal shoes on the top shelf, out of sight until you need them.
- Add Antiques – Looking to add character to your new build or embrace your old home’s original era? Opt for reclaimed or antique wood floating shelves. The unique knots and grains make each board unique.
- Make Cooking Easier – Floating shelves are a great addition to pretty much any room in the house, but they seem to be a particular favorite in the kitchen. They make it easier to grab items while you cook and clean than enclosed cabinets do, plus they give you an extra perch to display decor. In Justina Blakeney’s kitchen, earthy reclaimed wood floating shelves are enhanced by the glossy green tile backsplash.
- Get Cozy In a Reading Corner – Create a cozy corner reading nook in your bedroom with a dark paint color, plush fabrics, emotive artwork, and of course, easy-to-reach books. In this bedroom designed by Arent Pyke, the rows of floating shelves provide a home for the occupant’s collection.
- Make Them Pop With an Accent Color – Whether your space has a customized niche or you want to reimagine an existing quirk, consider floating shelves your solution. They’ll allow you to get some practical use out of an otherwise wasted divot. Here, Emil Dervish accents this space by giving the floating shelves a bright orange-red backdrop.
- Opt for Thin, Sleek Shelves – Remember to play with profile types the same way you experiment with various color, composition, and material options for your floating shelves. For example, a thicker shelf will look more assertive on the wall, while thin floating shelves like these will be sleeker and allow your decorative items to take center stage.
- Just Install One – Equal parts preppy and bohemian, contemporary and timeless, this kitchen by Anna Spiro Design is an eclectic dream. A lone floating shelf in line with the bottom of the range hood is visually arresting and streamlined.
- Maximize a Small Bathroom – In a small powder room, a floating shelf will be a lifesaver for essentials like washcloths, hand soap, candles, and tissues. Interior designer Gail Davis installed a simple glass shelf right under the mirror for a symmetrical display.
- Spruce Up a Breakfast Nook – In smaller spaces where a tulip table is all you can squeeze in, choose fun accent chairs and consider a built-in bench. A casual gallery wall or statement-making floating shelves displaying decor will spice things up without taking up any precious square footage. This breakfast nook designed by Arent Pyke proves it.
- Create a New Kind of Gallery Wall – Create a gallery wall with more depth by laying out a pattern with floating shelves instead of hanging framed artwork. In this living room designed by Alberto Villalobos, the offset composition and metallic material is enough of a statement, but you could also fill yours with decor and books to fill the negative space.
- Stretch From Wall to Wall – Floating shelves can be bold and over-the-top when decorated a certain way, but the emphasis on material and shape also makes them a minimalist’s dream. In this space designed by Shapeless Studio, the wall-to-wall floating shelves make for a neutral, linear, and clean display—almost gallery-esque, yet still approachable and grounded.
- Rethink Shape and Form – Two floating cubic shelves function as pedestals to prop up vases in this colorful dining room designed by Corey Damen Jenkins. This trick is perfect for a narrow wall in a dining room, hallway, or entry.
- Make Them Blend In – The floating shelves in this neutral-toned Scandinavian studio apartment blend in seamlessly with the white walls. Take inspiration from this space if you’re working within a smaller scale space and want your floating shelves to disappear instead of distract.
- Float a Cubby – Why settle for floating shelves when you can secure a floating cubby to the wall? In this living room, it strikes the balance between bohemian and polished.
More Ideas to Inspire You
If you’re still looking for more inspiration, here are some other articles you might enjoy:
- These 49 Home Libraries Are A Book-Lover’s Dream
- 35 Wall Paneling Ideas That Add Instant Charm
- 80 Elevated Dining Room Ideas for Every Aesthetic
- 75 Chic Home Decorating Ideas From Designers
- Walk-In Shower Ideas That Elevate Your Bathroom
- 78 Living Room Ideas You’ll Want to Copy ASAP
- 46 Simply Transformative Office Decor Ideas
- 75 Best Bedroom Ideas to Inspire a Serene Space
- 45 Powder Rooms That Will Impress Your Guests
These articles are packed with more ideas and inspiration to help you create a beautiful and functional space that reflects your personal style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using floating shelves?
Floating shelves provide a chic, minimal look while offering functionality and style, making them perfect for decorating or storage.
Where can I use floating shelves?
Floating shelves can be used in various rooms, including kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms, to add storage and display decorative items.
How do I choose the right floating shelves for my space?
You can choose from various materials, shapes, and sizes to select floating shelves that fit your decorating style and needs.
Can I use floating shelves in small spaces?
Yes, floating shelves are ideal for small spaces as they take up less space than traditional shelving systems and can help maximize vertical space.
How can I style my floating shelves?
You can style your floating shelves by displaying decorative items, books, or storage containers, and experimenting with different arrangements and compositions.
What are some unique ways to use floating shelves?
You can use floating shelves to create a gallery wall, display shoes or cookbooks, add antique or reclaimed wood accents, or create a cozy reading nook.
