Floating Shelves: What I’ve Learned Building and Installing Them

As someone who’s installed floating shelves in probably a dozen rooms across my house and my friends’ houses, I learned everything there is to know about what works and what ends up crooked on the wall. Today, I will share it all with you. These things look dead simple, but there’s more to getting them right than you’d think.

What Makes Them “Float”

Floating shelves don’t have visible brackets — the mounting hardware is hidden inside or behind the shelf itself. That clean, minimalist look is why everyone wants them. No chunky metal brackets ruining the aesthetic. Just a shelf that appears to hover on the wall. It’s a great look, and it opens up visual space in a room like nothing else.

Material Options (and My Preferences)

Floating shelf materials have gotten complicated with all the options flying around, so let me break it down:

• Solid Wood: My go-to. Durable, beautiful, and you can finish it however you want. Walnut and white oak are my favorites for living spaces.
• Metal: Great for industrial or modern looks. Strong enough to hold heavy stuff, but they can feel cold in certain rooms.
• Glass: Elegant in bathrooms or as display shelves. They look fantastic but I’m always a little nervous about weight limits.
• MDF/Plywood: Affordable and paints well. Most store-bought floating shelves are some form of this. Perfectly fine for light-duty use.

My Installation Process

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Here’s how I do it every time:

1. Decide where the shelf goes. Hold it up, step back, squint at it. Live with the pencil marks for a day if you’re not sure about height.
2. Find the studs. A stud finder is essential here — drywall anchors work in a pinch, but studs are where the real holding power lives.
3. Drill pilot holes into the studs (or install anchors if you absolutely must use hollow wall).
4. Mount the bracket or rod system that came with your shelf. Make sure it’s level. Check it twice. I’m serious.
5. Slide the shelf onto the hardware. Some designs have a set screw underneath to lock everything tight.

The level check at step 4 is non-negotiable. I once skipped it because I was in a rush, and the shelf had a visible tilt that drove me nuts for weeks until I redid it.

Taking Care of Them

• Dust regularly: They collect dust on top just like any flat surface. A microfiber cloth works great.
• Respect the weight limit: Overloading is the fastest way to pull a shelf off the wall. If the manufacturer says 20 pounds, don’t test 40.
• Refinish wood shelves as needed: A light sand and fresh coat of finish every few years keeps wooden shelves looking sharp.

Room-by-Room Ideas

• Living Room: Books, framed photos, a small plant or two. Create a gallery wall by mixing shelves with artwork — it adds depth without feeling cluttered.
• Kitchen: Replace upper cabinets with open floating shelves for an airy, modern feel. I did this in my kitchen and it completely changed the room. Just be ready to keep things tidy since everything’s visible.
• Bathroom: Perfect above the toilet or beside the mirror. Keeps toiletries accessible without eating up counter space.
• Bedroom: A floating shelf beside the bed works as a nightstand alternative. Saves floor space in smaller rooms.
• Entryway: Keys, mail, a small dish for loose change. Add hooks underneath for jackets and bags.
• Kids’ Room: Book ledges at kid height encourage reading and let them grab their own stuff. My daughter loves hers.

The Good and the Not-So-Good

That’s what makes floating shelves endearing to us DIYers — they’re versatile, they look great, and they work in basically any room. But I’ll be honest about the downsides too:

On the plus side, they save floor space, adapt to any style, and are easy to keep clean. On the minus side, they can’t hold heavy loads like traditional shelving, sloppy installation shows immediately (no bracket to hide behind), and getting them truly level requires more care than a regular shelf bracket.

Shopping Tips

If you’re buying rather than building, check the weight rating carefully. Make sure the mounting hardware is included and looks substantial — flimsy brackets are a red flag. And measure your wall space before ordering. Sounds obvious, but I’ve seen people end up with shelves that are two inches too long for the spot they planned.

Whether you’re going for storage or pure decoration, floating shelves are one of those projects where a little extra care during installation pays off every single day you look at them.