17 Best Floating Shelves That Will Transform Small Spaces | Architectural Digest

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The best floating shelves achieve a handful of things: They encourage organization, they’re a sturdy home for all of your favorite tchotchkes, and they free up floor space—just to name a few pros. Floating shelves are meant to disappear just enough to make whatever you store on top the main attraction. Plus, open shelving can be a great storage solution when you’re working with a small space. There are also plenty of designs out there that are eye-catching on their own—perfect if you’re looking to maximize your wall decor opportunities.

Many different floating shelf styles exist—from live-edge wooden designs and DIY-inspired tile creations to corner shelves that act as mini bookshelves for your pile of nightly reads. Ahead, we broke down what to look for when shopping for a floating shelf, as well as our favorite picks.

And now on to the shopping. These are 17 floating shelves we’d love to find a place for in our own homes.

West Elm

Looking to fill an awkward strip of space? We love the thicker edge of these wooden shelves. “This shelf is in my laundry room above my washer/dryer and it’s perfect for storing everyday items like detergent within arms reach,” says partnerships associate director Meg Kernahan. “The wood tone nicely complements my ‘organic modern’ aesthetic—I really like the clean lines, natural-looking material, and the warmth it brings to an otherwise utilitarian space.”

AllModern

Combining a coat rack and display shelf is always going to be a good idea. This in-between-light-and-dark-colored poplar wood gives the whole look major Scandi style points. Say goodbye to misplacing your hats, jackets, umbrellas, key ring, and whatever else you decide to hang.

Amazon

These bracketed shelves are very versatile—they can handle all of your office supplies just as seamlessly as your bathroom essentials. Plus each shelf can hold up to 40 pounds, meaning they’ll easily support even the thickest hardcovers or extra-wide stacks of paperbacks.

Etsy

You could opt for a live edge shelf…or you could go all in on a scalloped look. These wood wall shelves are a real hidden gem from Etsy that will look great under a stack of books or a small family of plants. Plus it’s made of solid oak so it’ll age beautifully.

Wayfair

If you’re searching for a slim design that can hold a good amount of weight, each individual shelf in this set of six can hold up to 20 pounds. “I like that these shelves have a really minimal profile—you barely even notice the structure is there and, in that sense, they truly feel like floating shelves,” says AD commerce director Rachel Fletcher. “They’re short enough that you could use them in many areas of the home and, because they come in a set of six, you can really get creative with how they’re arranged.” Available in black or white, they±re also the perfect size to store your coveted CD collection (up to 40 fit on a single shelf!).

Pottery Barn

If you’re going to put out pictures, it’s best to find a floating shelf with a lip in the front (this design feature will stop any items from sliding off of the surface). Available in four sizes, two depths, and different colors, these are made of poplar topped with stain. Plus installation is made easier with a bubble level you can use to ensure your shelves are perfectly level.

Urban Outfitters

This shelf doesn’t have to have anything sitting on its surface to look really good—it almost acts as a piece of art on its own. “For a decorative wall hanging, this shelf is surprisingly deep,” commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher told us. “That allows it to hold more decor, but it needs a good amount of clearance from the wall.” We recommend you skip the books and reserve this one for a curation of (short) treasured objects.

Target

If you’re committed to buying a handful of floating shelves and you want something a bit different from the usual rectangle or rounded shape, consider these chubbier beauties. Choose between a wood-like finish and simple white.

Design Within Reach

When it comes to heavy-duty floating shelves, you may want to smudge your definition of “floating shelf.” Officially, they should appear like they’re sitting against a wall with no kind of support system. But to make sure you don’t end up with a big mess, this design is made of steel with brackets integrated into it. It’s perfect for bathroom organization thanks to the handy towel rack along the bottom (Pro tip: These would also be great as kitchen shelves).

Coming Soon

This wavy design wins our award for best small-space solution. Half of the people who visit your home won’t even know this is a shelf. Install it in your entryway—the top of the curve serves as a great coat rack, and you can hang an umbrella off the side.

Ballard Designs

The wavy bottom gives some lighthearted vibes, perfect for a nursery, living room, or a kitchen (a special place for your favorite coffee mugs). There’s a groove along the back of the shelf that makes it an easy spot to show off decorative plates, art, or photos.

West Elm

These storage shelves come in two sizes (small and large) and would look great displaying your perfume collection. You can also buy a matching acrylic tray if you’re into uniformity for your home decor.

Wayfair

A tiny peek of brackets hints at the strong anchor system that keeps this shelf in place. Made of solid paulownia wood, reviewers applaud how quickly you can install it. Once in place, the wood will add a beautifully warm texture to your space.

Etsy

Slightly retro with a touch of midcentury style, this floating shelf with space in between comes in a bunch of color options and different lengths. If you’re looking for a spot in the entryway to drop your mail or highlight that souvenir you bought in Italy 10 years ago, this is it.

Wayfair

The under-shelf lighting in this pick is a real game changer. You’ve got two options: Install it in a über-functional space (think kitchen counter) for some extra illumination or above a pedestal housing a beloved trinket.

AllModern

The rounded edge of this shelf immediately catches eyes. The boat-like silhouette is only accentuated by the half-moon mounting brackets. Plus the rich walnut will compliment all of your midcentury-modern furniture finds.

IKEA

From dorm rooms to mansions, the Lack has made quite the mark on interior design. There is a hidden mounting hardware worked into the MDF shelf, so it can hold much more than you’d think.

Buying floating shelves may seem like an easy task, but there are a few important questions you’ll want to ask yourself before compiling all of your shelf ideas and hitting the checkout.

Weight capacity

Think about what you’re going to store on your shelves because some offer a higher weight capacity than others. And it’s really more about how you anchor your shelf to the wall. Designs that include shelf brackets that can be installed into wall studs will give you the sturdiest outcome. Always be sure to check how much your shelf can hold before putting it up on the wall.

Style

There are corner floating shelves, picture ledge shelves, acrylic shelves, wooden shelves, heavy-duty shelves, and so much more. If you’re going to be housing beloved decorative items on top, consider going with some a bit more neutral so as not to steal any attention. If you’re stacking, say, a few books or just need a place to store your on-the-go essentials, have some fun with it. Opt for a bold color (cobalt blue), unusual shape (wavy!), or unexpected material (we love tile).

Length

This may seem like a given, but measure multiple times to make sure you’re buying the right design for your space. There is a sweet spot between “a tad too short” and “taking over the wall.” One easy way to fill up a lot of wall space is to install a crowd of different-size floating shelves. Go for the same style or follow a specific color or material theme for some added intrigue. For awkward or narrow spaces, a column of short shelves can turn an unused nook into a bookshelf or photo corner (when you’re going this route, make sure the spacing between shelves is even).