What Are Floating Shelves?
Learn what floating shelves are and why they’re popular – plus, discover the three types and how to decide which is the best for your project.
As a cabinet maker or contractor, learning about floating shelves can feel overwhelming. Mistakes – like ordering the wrong type – can damage your reputation, upset customers, or lead to product failures. You’ve come to the right place if you’re asking yourself questions like, What exactly are floating shelves? What makes them popular in modern cabinetry? Which type suits my project best?
At Cutting Edge, we’ve observed floating shelves rise in popularity. While we don’t produce them in bulk, we’ve worked extensively with different types. That experience has shown us how choosing the right floating shelf can make or break a project.
In this article, you’ll discover:
Floating Shelves Are a Popular Addition to Many Kitchen Styles
Floating shelves are wall-mounted shelves designed to appear as though they are floating, with no visible brackets or supports. The hardware is concealed inside the shelf or the wall, creating a sleek, minimalist look. Typically, they are made from wood, metal, or engineered materials and come in various thicknesses.
These shelves are versatile, fitting seamlessly into modern, farmhouse, or transitional kitchen designs. They often replace upper cabinets to create an open, airy aesthetic, especially in smaller spaces. Their visual appeal has made them a favourite for homeowners looking to balance style and function.
Why Are Floating Shelves So Popular?
Floating shelves offer clean lines and contemporary appeal. They help showcase dishes, glassware, or decorative pieces, making kitchens feel more personalized. Homeowners often choose them to:
- Maximize open space in compact kitchens
- Create a focal point with accent pieces
- Complement modern cabinetry styles like slab or shaker doors
Social media and design blogs have further fueled their popularity, showcasing kitchens with beautifully styled shelves. This trend has led many contractors and designers to include floating shelves in their offerings.
Floating Shelves Have Many Uses, Including Purely Decorative Purposes
Floating shelves are not just for kitchens – they’re equally valuable in living rooms, offices, and bathrooms. Here’s how they’re commonly used:
- Practical storage: For lightweight items like dishes or spices in kitchens.
- Decorative displays: To showcase books, plants, or art.
- Hybrid spaces: Combining storage and decoration, like in home offices.
- Kitchens: Lightweight dish storage
- Living rooms: Displaying photos or art
- Bathrooms: Holding toiletries
- Offices: Organizing supplies or showcasing books
There Are Three Types of Floating Shelves
While you may be aware of floating shelves as a whole, did you realize there are three distinct styles?
Choosing the right floating shelf matters because each type serves different needs. Floating shelf suppliers often vary in their designs and manufacturing techniques, meaning one size doesn’t fit all. Here are the three primary types:
Wood Floating Shelves
Wood floating shelves are typically a single face-grain panel, usually ¾” thick. They can include live-edge options for a rustic look. However, due to their thinness, they’re often less durable and better suited for decorative purposes.
Common Uses:
- Offices
- Living rooms
- Areas where weight isn’t a concern
What You Should Know:
- Not truly a floating shelf – these are often supported by L-brackets.
- Thin and less durable, so limit their size to prevent storage of heavy items.
- To avoid sagging or failure, use for light items only.
Solid Wood Floating Shelves
Solid wood floating shelves, like butcher block designs, are thicker and more durable. These shelves can support heavier items but require sturdy hardware and secure installation. You often see this type of floating shelf used as mantelpieces.
Common Uses:
- Feature shelves in kitchens
- Highlighting wood in rustic or traditional designs
- Functional storage in high-use spaces
What You Should Know:
- Heavier than standard wood shelves – your hardware must be able to handle the load.
- Always anchor into studs or strong supports; drywall alone isn’t sufficient.
- Ensure your supplier can and will machine the shelf for the appropriate hardware.
Mitre-Folded Floating Shelves
Mitre-folded floating shelves are constructed from multiple mitred pieces, giving them a seamless, solid appearance. Their design allows for lightweight core construction, making them compatible with many materials like MDF, plywood, or veneers.
Common Uses:
- Kitchens with NEXGEN or slab-style doors
- Contemporary designs with matching laminate or veneer finishes
- Highlighted decorative spaces
What You Should Know:
- The most versatile option, supporting heavier items without visible hardware.
- Must be well-supported internally to prevent sagging.
- Consult with your supplier about proper machining to fit hardware securely.
How Can You Choose the Correct Floating Shelf?
Selecting the right floating shelf is crucial for balancing style, practicality, and longevity. The wrong choice can lead to dissatisfaction, added expenses, or even damage to the wall. For contractors, this can mean unhappy clients or redoing work at your expense – both of which harm your reputation. By understanding the specific needs of your project and how floating shelves meet those needs, you can ensure a smooth installation and lasting satisfaction for your customers.
Here are four questions you can use as a guide:
1. What is the shelf’s primary purpose?
This question sets the foundation for your choice. Decorative shelves often emphasize design and aesthetics, while functional shelves must prioritize strength and stability.
For example, a thin wood shelf may look stunning but fail to support the weight of heavy dishware. By clarifying the purpose, you can choose a material and design that aligns with your customer’s goals.
2. How Much Weight Will It Support?
Weight is a critical factor when selecting floating shelves. Exceeding the weight limit of hardware or materials can cause shelves to sag, crack, or fail. Choosing hardware that matches the load – such as heavy-duty anchors for solid wood shelves – ensures safety and durability, especially in kitchens or offices where shelves often bear more weight.
3. What Material Aligns With the Design?
The material affects both the shelf’s appearance and its ability to meet the project’s demands. Wood offers natural warmth, MDF provides versatility, and veneer or laminate adds a sleek, modern touch. The material should complement the design while meeting functional needs. For example, mitre-folded shelves can mimic high-end materials at a lower cost, making them a practical yet stylish choice.
4. Is the Wall Strong Enough To Support The Shelf?
The strength of the wall is often overlooked but is vital for a secure installation. Floating shelves require studs or reinforced walls for proper support. Relying solely on drywall anchors is risky, especially for heavier shelves or those storing significant weight. Ensuring the wall structure is compatible with the shelf type prevents future problems like sagging or pulling away from the wall.
Each of these questions helps narrow your options to find the perfect floating shelf for your project. By considering the purpose, weight, material, and wall strength, you can ensure the shelves are not only beautiful but also practical and safe. These factors work together to create a seamless result, impressing your clients and protecting your reputation.
Price Out Your Mitre-Folded Floating Shelves Online
At the end of the day, floating shelves offer a perfect combination of style and functionality, but only when chosen and installed correctly. For contractors, understanding the nuances of different floating shelf types can prevent costly mistakes, safeguard your reputation, and delight your clients.
When selecting a floating shelf, remember the key questions: What is its purpose? How much weight will it bear? Does its design align with your project? And is the wall strong enough to support it? Answering these ensures that your shelves are not only visually stunning but also practical and durable.
Now that you’ve learned the essentials of floating shelves from Cutting Edge, your next step is to take action. Learn how to price out mitre-folded floating shelves online.
