Buyer’s Guide to Floating Shelves: What To Consider

Floating shelves add extra storage and space for knickknacks to any room. They have sleek and modern appearances and take up minimal wall space, which is perfect for tight spaces. If you’re interested in this hardware, read the buyer’s guide to floating shelves. We’ll discuss what to consider before buying shelves.

What Are Floating Shelves?

Floating shelves are open-faced shelving units without visible supports or frames. They’re attached to walls with concealed mounting hardware. That’s why they appear to “float” on walls. Without visible support, these shelves have a luxurious and eye-catching look.

Typically, people display decor, ceramic dishes, and other trinkets on shelves. Floating shelves are common for contemporary interior designs, but they also fit other aesthetics. Their growing popularity makes them perfect for anyone elevating their home design.

Types of Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are available in different materials, styles, and sizes, and you can select one that fits your needs and budget. Whether you want something sleek and modern or rustic and traditional, there is something for everyone! Explore these options:

Acrylic

Generally, acrylic floating shelves are budget-friendly and come in many shapes and sizes. They also offer the same appearance as glass, but they’re much stronger. Acrylic shelves are ideal for storing heavier items since they can withstand more weight than glass. You don’t need specialized tools to install these shelves, making them ideal for beginners!

Glass

If you’re looking for an airy ambiance, glass floating shelves are the best choice. You can purchase them with or without frames, and they come in various sizes, shapes, and styles. Remember that glass shelves are best for displaying light items because they’re not very strong. Some glass shelves have metal frames, requiring more complex installation because of the extra weight.

Metal

Metal floating shelves are suitable for modern, industrial aesthetics. You can buy them in different finishes like steel, copper, and brass. Metal shelving is versatile because you can use it for practical storage or decor, and it’s affordable and simple to install.

Solid Wood

Solid wood floating shelves are classic, stylish, and timeless. They’re sturdy and durable and come in several styles. For instance, you can buy distressed or stained shelves to match your interior design. Solid wood is a popular material because they’re long-lasting and easy to install.

Benefits of Floating Shelves

Floating shelves offer many visual and functional advantages. Explore some fantastic pros of this modern shelving style.

Versatile

They are incredibly versatile because you can store collectibles, dinnerware, plants, photos, vases, and more! You can find a shelf that fits your style and corresponds with your decor.

Space saving

Due to the lack of visible supports, the shelves create the illusion of more space in your home. Since they don’t require floor space, you have more room for large furniture.

Visually Pleasing

You can add visual interest to a room with a floating shelf. The modern design enhances homes and dresses up the decor.

Easy To Install

Most floating shelves require basic tools like a drill and screws to install the unit. Within minutes, you’ll have functional hardware.

Simple To Maintain

Like traditional shelves, you can dust the unit or use a damp cloth with mild soap to remove grime.

Cost-effective

Floating shelves are a fantastic way to increase storage without buying expensive hardware. It’s less expensive than built-in units.

Increases Curb Appeal

Floating shelves can increase the value of your home. The aesthetically pleasing and contemporary look is attractive to potential buyers.

Things To Consider

An important part of this buyer’s guide to floating shelves is what to consider when integrating the hardware into your home. Before purchasing pieces, think about the following factors:

Material

As mentioned, the types of floating shelves include acrylic, glass, metal, and solid wood. Choose the material depending on your home’s aesthetic. But be mindful of their abilities. For instance, glass shelves are visually pleasing, but they only hold light items. It’s all about finding a sweet spot with practicality and style. A material like solid wood is beautiful and heavy-duty, fulfilling functionality and design.

Weight Capacity

What will you put on the shelves? Assess objects to determine the type of shelf you need. Pay attention to weight, length, and size. You want to avoid lightweight shelves that won’t support your things. After all, how effective is a shelf that can’t hold your trinkets? It’s not. It’s important to check the weight capacity of your preferred shelving to ensure the best results.

Location

Where will you mount the shelf? Despite the free-flowing nature of floating shelves, you can’t randomly place them on walls. Pay attention to the intended surface. Is it a finished surface? Is it drywall? It’s an ideal time to figure out where your wall supports are. Note that floating hardware requires mounting shelves into studs. You should use a stud finder to ensure correct placement.

Ease of Installation

Overall, mounting floating shelves is a simple process. However, some materials are more complex than others. If you plan on DIY installation, use beginner-friendly materials like acrylic or solid wood. If you’re enlisting help, you can work with complex materials like glass. Regardless of your plan, it’s best to anticipate the workload before installing floating shelves.

Safety Note

Floating shelves have concealed support frames. Unfortunately, some people assume they can stick on walls with picture hanging strips, like Command Strips. Do not use Command Strips for floating shelves! The adhesive can’t support the material. Always follow the correct installation instructions to avoid accidents. You don’t want the shelf to fall or break your items.

Ways To Use Floating Shelves

Before buying floating shelves, consider how you’ll add them to your home. For instance, you can accessorize blank spaces like walls in bedrooms or offices with a floating shelf. The hardware adds depth and character to rooms.

Consider making a statement wall with the shelves. Add a long row of shelves along a wall to achieve architectural beauty in your space. You can also fill it with sentimental items.

Besides visual interest, floating shelves are functional pieces of hardware. Install them in your kitchen to store dinnerware and ceramics. Place a shelf in the bathroom to store towels and toiletries. You can even install shelves in a home office to hold documents. The possibilities are endless!

Conclusion

Floating shelves are gorgeous additions to any property. They’re easy to install with a versatile design. Plus, they create the illusion of more space in rooms! Store your possessions on them and enjoy the additional storage space.

Start your floating shelf journey with Solidwood Interiors. Our American-made wood shelves are durable, attractive, and long-lasting. Browse our exceptional products today!