Can Floating Wall Shelves Enhance Your Interior?

Floating wall shelves are increasingly popular, and it’s easy to see why—they are both functional and stylish. As the name suggests, floating wall shelves protrude seamlessly from the wall without visible brackets, creating a sleek and modern look.

More than improving the aesthetic appeal of your interior decor, floating shelves are a storage solution. You can display your favorite items, as long as the shelf is strong enough to hold them. 

If you are wondering whether to add them to your home decor, keep reading to explore the different types of floating wall shelves, their benefits, how to incorporate them into your home, and handy installation tips. 

Types of Floating Wall Shelves

You can choose from various styles, sizes, and shapes of floating wall shelves. Check out the various types below:

Wooden

These are the most common types that look natural and are perfect for modern and traditional interiors. Hardwoods like oak, walnut, and mahogany or soft woods like pine, cedar, and redwood are types of wood used to make these shelves.

Depending on your décor style, choosing the right type of wood depends on your budget, intended function, and desired aesthetics. To learn more, let’s explore at least two types of hardwood and softwood:

Oak

Oak hardwood comes in several varieties, including white, black, and red oak, each with distinct characteristics. All oak wood is a top choice for home and outdoor furniture as they are durable, strong, and naturally beautiful.

Due to its medium to high density, this type of wood does not easily warp or split, making it a good choice for a floating shelf. A shelf manufactured from this wood is sturdy enough to support relatively heavy items such as books.

They are highly resistant to moisture and rot, hence suitable for use in the kitchen and bathroom where humidity levels can be high.

With its natural beauty, oak wood can add warmth, light, and character to your indoor space. Furthermore, they can be stained or painted to match various color schemes.

Oakwood can be expensive, but its longevity covers the high cost.

Walnut

Walnut wood is a hardwood that is generally more expensive than oak wood. It has striking grain patterns and is available in rich colors such as dark chocolate, creamy white, and a few yellow shades, suitable for sophisticated and contemporary décor. Additionally, it is resistant to moisture and is not easily scratched.

Pine

Pine is a cost-effective option that is light in color. Though not as strong and durable as oak and walnut, pine wood can serve you for many years if properly maintained. One caution, however, is that you shouldn’t place heavy things on a pine floating shelve as it is light and less dense.

Cedar

A soft wood like pine, cedar has natural oils making it resistant to decay and warping. It is pinkish-red in color, though you can find a few purple tones. However, you need to observe a few precautions if you are planning to install shelves using this wood.

First, cedar is not a very strong wood, therefore don’t place heavy items on the shelves made from this wood, otherwise, it may warp and bend. Even though it has natural oils, they are not enough to guard against environmental factors such as humidity or sunlight. Therefore, regularly apply a sealer or oil to extend its lifespan.

Metal

With sleek finishes, metal floating shelves are durable, easy to clean, and made from metals such as copper, aluminum, stainless steel, and others.

However, unlike wood, metal shelves can be scratched or dented easily. Besides, they are prone to rust and corrosion, especially when exposed to moisture, thus it may not be a good idea to install them in the kitchen or bathroom.

But, if you prefer metal shelves, choose rust-resistant metals such as stainless steel and chrome. To maintain them, avoid direct exposure to water, and install exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to ensure enough ventilation. Also, wipe the shelves with a dry cloth after using the bathroom. Regularly applying a rust-resistant coating will extend their lifespan.

Glass

Most glass floating shelves are made from tempered glass that is four to five times stronger than regular glass, making them durable. This type of glass is designed to disintegrate into tiny blunt pieces if it breaks, ensuring your safety. To maintain its sturdiness, this glass normally has a thickness ranging between 6 and 12 millimeters.

Since light can pass through them, glass shelves make a room look airy, adding elegance and sophistication to a space. They are excellent for displaying delicate items such as vases, antique bottles, ceramic sculptures, framed art pieces, jewelry, and more.

Creative Ways To Use Floating Wall Shelves

Beyond storage, floating shelves can aesthetically improve your space, while maintaining functionality. Whether showcasing art pieces, organizing small items in the kitchen, or creating a minimalist book display, floating shelves bring a modern touch to any room.

Below are a few ideas on how to use them:

• Living Room: You can display family photos, artwork, decorative pieces, books, plants, small sound systems, vases, and sculptures.
• Bedroom: In this room, floating shelves are ideal for displaying items such as decorative bowls, travel souvenirs, jewelry stored in small dishes, accessories like scarves or belts kept in small baskets, clocks, mirrors, and makeup.
• Kitchen: For a neat and organized kitchen, items that you can display on the floating shelves include cookbooks, spice jars, herb pots, and glass jars for storing dry food like beans and pasta. You can also store coffee mugs and hang items like spatulas, or stack tea towels, not forgetting that you can store small appliances like a toaster and coffee maker.
• Bathroom: Some items you can display on the shelves include folded towels, candles, soaps in a dish, small potted plants, artwork, glass jars for storing cotton balls or bath salts, and decorative accents.
• Home office: You can use floating shelves to store office stationery such as pencils, pens, and markers in small containers, family photos, framed inspirational quotes, certificates, artwork, and a small clock.

Floating Wall Shelves Benefits

• Saves Space: Floating wall shelves are an excellent solution for small spaces. They make small rooms feel larger because the shelves are used for storage instead of using the floor. Furthermore, there’s decluttering making a room neater.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The clean lines and minimalist design of floating shelves add a modern touch to any room. They create a sophisticated look because the shelves seamlessly blend into the wall.
• Versatility: Floating shelves are incredibly versatile. Whether you need a place to display your decor, store books, or organize kitchenware, floating shelves are a great choice.
• Easy Installation: With the right tools and DIY know-how, floating shelves can be installed quickly and easily. This can be an ideal weekend project for enhancing your space without professional help. But, remember, if you are not up to the task, always call a professional.
• Customization: Floating shelves come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials, meaning you can customize them to suit your taste and decor in your home. 

Installing Floating Wall Shelves

Whether you are installing a wooden, metal, or glass shelf, the concept is more or less the same. Below is a simple DIY installation of a wooden floating shelf:

1. Gather Materials: Collect the shelf, brackets, screws, wall anchors (if needed), level, pencil, and drill with appropriate drill bits.
2. Mark Placement: Use a level to mark where the brackets will go on the wall. Make sure the markings are level and spaced equally.
3. Drill Holes: Drill holes into the wall at the marked locations. Insert wall anchors if necessary, based on your wall type and shelf weight.
4. Attach Brackets: Securely mount the brackets onto the wall using screws, ensuring they align with the drilled holes.
5. Prepare Shelf: If not pre-drilled, mark and drill holes on the shelf to align with the brackets.
6. Mount Shelf: Slide the shelf onto the brackets and adjust for levelness. Secure the shelf to the brackets with screws through the pre-drilled holes.
7. Final Check: Ensure the shelf is stable and can support weight before placing items on it.

By following these steps, you can install a wooden floating shelf effectively and securely to enhance your space with functional storage and style. For a visual presentation of the above process, check out the video below:

Floating Shelves Styling Tips

1. Balance and Symmetry: Aim for a balanced and symmetrical arrangement when styling your floating shelves, for a cohesive and visually pleasing look.
2. Mix and Match: Combine different types of items on your shelves to create interest and depth. For example, add books, plants, artwork, sculptures, and photos for a dynamic display.
3. Color Coordination: Choose items in complementary colors to create a harmonious look. A monochromatic color scheme can work as well for a more minimalist approach.
4. Layering: Layer items of different heights and sizes to add dimension to your shelves. For example, place taller items at the back and shorter items in front for a balanced arrangement.
5. Less is More: Avoid overcrowding your shelves. Leave some empty spaces to let the items breathe and maintain a clean, uncluttered look.

Maintenance and Care for Floating Wall Shelves

1. Regular Cleaning: Dust your shelves regularly to keep them looking their best. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching delicate surfaces like glass.
2. Check for Stability: Periodically check that your shelves are still securely fastened to the wall. Tighten any loose screws and make sure the shelves are level.
3. Avoid Overloading: Be mindful of the weight capacity of your shelves. Overloading them can cause damage to the wall and the shelves themselves.
4. Rearrange Occasionally: Refresh the look of your shelves by rearranging the items or adding new decor.

Conclusion

Floating wall shelves can improve the aesthetic appeal of any room in your home. They can add elegance and sophistication to your interior space.

Being versatile, they blend well with any decor style you choose. Ensure the shelves are aligned well and securely to hold your favorite items. Also, display the items that the shelves can hold. In other words, place items that aren’t too heavy, or your shelves may get damaged.

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