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Floating shelves deserve an award for being the most versatile upgrade—after all, they can be used in just about any room for anything, from displaying art to serving as nightstands. Their hidden hardware makes them a minimalist's dream, but they can also suit a maximalist's desire to display an extensive collection of plants, candles, art, and books.
There are tons of different styles of floating shelves for every space. Need more space for spices? There's a floating shelf for that. Want to add a rustic touch of live-edge wood to your living room? There's a floating shelf for that, too. From different materials to weight capacities to styles with or without lips, we researched the best floating shelves for every room (and corner) of your space.
Here, the best floating shelves.
Our Top Picks
They're sold in sets of two, giving you lots of extra storage or display space over your desk, in your living room, or in the bathroom.
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These floating shelves have a minimalist design and are incredibly sturdy. They'll get the job done on a budget and look good.
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This book ledge conceals itself completely when you stack books on top of them, making the books appear to be floating along your wall.
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These solid wood shelves with a lip are ideal for kids' bedrooms and to use as extra storage around your home.
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Each shelf features a u-shaped design that can hold 20 pounds worth of books, photos, candles, and other home accents.
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This compact floating shelf will nestle into any corner perfectly and create extra storage.
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This customizable shelf has an incredibly sturdy ledge, so it's great for displaying art or pictures.
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This convenient spice rack is magnetic, so it can easily be used on any metal surface and keeps your kitchen items organized.
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The shelf, which comes with the necessary mounting hardware, has a low weight capacity, so it's ideal for makeup, perfume, and other lightweight items.
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Material: Solid wood | Weight Capacity: 14-15 pounds | Lips: None
What we like
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Available in multiple finishes
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Available in multiple sizes
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Includes mounting hardware
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Includes two shelves
Gracie Oaks' solid wood floating shelves are our favorite pick overall, thanks to their quality construction, minimal profile, and the number of finishes available. Like most floating shelves, they're really easy to install—the set includes mounting hardware you'll need, including drywall anchors.
The shelves are offered in three finishes—natural, white washed, and coffee bean—each of which would work in a farmhouse, bohemian, and minimal home. They're sold in sets of two, giving you lots of extra storage or display space over your desk, in your living room, or in the bathroom.
Material: Fiberboard | Weight Capacity: 22 pounds | Lips: None
If you're looking to spruce up your space on a budget, the BAMEOS Floating Shelf Set is a great option. The wallet-friendly find has a minimal design and offers about two feet (each) of extra storage space for smaller items like succulents, vases, or books.
The shelves are made of a lightweight composite material, so they're not exactly ideal for heavy items like books. However, if you're looking for a set of floating shelves to help you display some decorative objects, these may be your best bet. The set is offered in four finishes, so you're sure to find one that fits your home aesthetic. Plus, they can be installed in as little as 15 minutes for a seriously quick decor upgrade.
Material: Metal | Weight Capacity: 15-20 pounds | Lips: Yes
Let your books become shelves themselves with Umbra's clever Conceal Shelves. After installing a simple piece of hardware, all you have to do is slip a hardcover book onto it. From there, the shelf's lip will hold the cover in place and you can stack a few more books or accessories on top, giving the illusion of a true floating shelf.
The set includes three metal shelves, each of which is the same size. Each individual shelf in the set can hold up to 20 pounds, so it's best for cookbooks, extra coffee table books, or heavier accents, like candles and plants. The set makes for an eye-catching display when hung together, but they're also ideal for creating extra storage and decor in different spaces around your home.
Material: Solid wood | Weight Capacity: 25 pounds | Lips: Yes
This shelf set is designed to help keep kids' toys, books, and accessories tidy, but if you're also looking to organize your own library or office, they're certainly worth considering. The set of three shelves are made of solid wood with a dark stain that'll elevate any space in your home.
At 28 inches wide and 4 inches deep, each shelf can hold 25 pounds, so they're a great spot for books and other accessories. The chip-resistant shelves make a statement when displayed together but make for a nice addition to a wall when hung solo as well.
Material: Metal | Weight Capacity: 20 | Lips: Yes
What we don't like
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Expensive
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Available in one size
Whether your home office needs additional storage or your living room needs a spot for your favorite photos, a set of floating shelves will always come in handy. Take this Ebern Designs River Ridge Wall Shelf Set, for example, which includes six identical floating shelves that can work in any space of your home.
Made of durable metal, each shelf features a u-shaped design that can hold 20 pounds worth of books, photos, candles, and other home accents. The shelves arrive assembled as well, and include all the necessary installation tools so setting them up will be a breeze.
Material: Composite | Weight Capacity: 30 pounds | Lips: None
What we don't like
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Available in one color
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Available in one size
If you think corners are a lost cause, think again. Thanks to this Home Decorators Collection Corner Shelf, you can transform an unused space into additional storage in any room.
Whether you use it to store spices in the kitchen or display a houseplant in your living room, this shelf makes it easy to make the most of a small space. It's available in white, so it'll match just about any decor style, but you can also paint it to complement your existing decor.
Material: 10 gauge steel | Weight Capacity: 36 pounds per foot | Lips: Yes
What we don't like
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Expensive
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Long shipping time
Shelfology is a site that—you guessed it—specializes in all types of shelving. And if you're looking for a customizable option, their Fat Lippe Picture Ledge is the way to go. From custom widths and rail depths to a choice of 30 colors, you're sure to find the perfect fit for your home.
Each picture ledge is custom-made from extra-sturdy powder-coated steel, so they're durable and designed to last. Since these are bespoke shelves, orders take up to two weeks to ship, but it's worth the wait if you're looking for the perfect picture ledge to display a great work of art.
Material: Steel | Weight Capacity: 3.3 pounds | Lips: Yes
Yamazaki Home makes lots of clever organization and storage items, but their ingenious magnetic spice rack is certainly a stand-out. The shelf instantly gives you a convenient extra kitchen shelf for spices, condiments, or even kitchen tools, so you'll never have to scramble in the kitchen while you cook.
Its strong magnet supports up to three and a half pounds without slipping, which is plenty for storing spices and seasonings. Two or three of these would be enough to store an entire spice collection, which could free up a whole shelf in your cabinet or pantry.
Material: Metal, glass | Weight Capacity: 10 pounds | Lips: Yes
Small bathrooms can benefit immensely from floating shelves, where toiletries and toothbrushes tend to take over. And if you're going to spruce up your space, metal shelves are best for bathrooms since they're easy to wipe clean and won't warp over time due to shower steam.
The Eberns Design Akeeyla Wall Shelf is a great option thanks to its clean design and metal and glass construction. It's clean, simple, and durable, and while it would look great in any bathroom, this shelf also might come in handy for an office as well. The shelf, which comes with the necessary mounting hardware, has a low weight capacity, so it's ideal for makeup, perfume, and other lightweight items.
Final Verdict
Overall, we recommend the Gracie Oaks Joao 2 Piece Poplar Solid Wood Floating Shelf (view at Wayfair) because the set of two shelves is offered in multiple finishes and sizes, easy to install, and is made of durable wood. For a budget-friendly option, we recommend the BAMEOS Floating Shelf (view at Amazon) because it's easy to install and is offered in multiple colors.
Material
As you've probably noticed, floating shelves are available in all sorts of materials, from compressed cardboard to solid steel. Choosing the right material mostly depends on where your shelf will be placed. Steel shelves are the best option for kitchens or bathrooms since they're the easiest to clean and won't warp, and they generally have a sleek profile. Wood shelves, especially those with a live edge, can basically be considered decor on their own since they'll add a rustic touch wherever you put them.
Weight Capacity
Before you buy any floating shelf, decide what you're going to put on it. Some of the more budget-friendly options we love aren't able to hold heavier items, such as a stack of books. Also, keep in mind that some floating shelves should be installed directly into wall studs and will require a stud finder. For smaller shelves or those loaded with lightweight items, you can safely install them with drywall anchors.
Lips
Yes, lips. Floating picture ledges, kitchen shelves, and bathroom shelves should ideally have some kind of raised edge that prevents toiletries (or precious artwork) from tumbling to the ground. For artwork, a shelf with a lip is non-negotiable, whereas, for bathroom or kitchen shelves, you could go either way. It mostly depends on your style preference, but keep in mind that a raised lip or guardrail will help you keep spices or toiletries neatly in place day after day.
FAQ
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How do you install floating shelves?
Because they'll be holding potentially heavy decor — and are often heavy themselves — floating shelves often come equipped with installation hardware that includes drywall anchors. Simply follow the instructions that came with your floating shelves. Keep in mind for optimal sturdiness you should hang your floating shelf on a wall stud, which you can find with a stud finder. A leveler can help you ensure you're hanging it straight, too.
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What would you put on floating shelves?
Floating shelves are a good way to make use of vertical space in any room, and depending on what type of shelf you buy, they can be versatile. Lighter-weight floating shelves are great for picture frames. vases, candles, and small plants. Heavy-duty floating shelves in kitchens, bedrooms, or living rooms can be used for storage, displaying books, or decanting. Add in decor of your choice to boost the room's aesthetic.
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How high should you hang floating shelves?
That's up to you. In general, aim to hang floating shelves as you would artwork, ideally 4-6 feet from the floor. If you are hanging a floating shelf above furniture, such as a desk, dresser, or couch, hang it 10-12 inches above the top.
Tim Minerd covers furniture, home decor, and lighting for MyDomaine and The Spruce. He enjoys organizing spices alphabetically, testing out towels, and long walks through IKEA, and is the proud father of 11 succulents. To make this list, he considered each pick's weight capacity, lips, and material. Additional reporting was done by Ashley Abramson, a writer who has worked as editor for local print and online publications. Her work has also appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Allure, InStyle, MyDomaine, and more.
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