If space is tight in your home, investing in an attractive bookshelf that helps maximize your storage options is a smart decision. Floating shelves are the perfect alternative to the more space-consuming traditional shelf, and a great choice for those who live in small homes or don’t have the luxury of a dedicated bookshelf.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose from a wide variety of materials, shapes, textures, and designs. In fact, building your own floating shelf has never been easier.
This list includes the best floating shelves you can buy in 2022. Check them out and if you need more information, click the “Read Reviews or Check Price” button on each product to read user reviews and check current prices.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| BAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted | Best Overall |  |
| EWEI'S HomeWares Floating U Shelves WHC1004CD-ES | Budget Pick |  |
| Joel's Antiques & Reclaimed Decor 48" W X 7" D X 3" H | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. BAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted
Pros:
- Solid wood construction
- Provides a rustic look
- Excellent packaging
- Good weight capacity
- Solid and sturdy
- Easy installation
- Able to hold some of the heaviest objects
- Warranty
Bookshelf, Garden.
As far as floating shelves go, this particular set is quite amazing. We had to include it in our list of the best floating shelves due to the high customer ratings and customer satisfaction.
As mentioned, we consider a lot of factors while judging the worthiness of a product. One of the factors that is extremely important to us in our list is budget.
2. Joel's Antiques & Reclaimed Decor 48" W X 7" D X 3" H
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Functional design
- Easy to assemble
- Will add character to any room or decor
Cons:
- This is not a branded product. It’s a re-skinned picture that adds no value and is likely to be a third-party knock-off product.
- We’ve seen this before for pennies. The only value here is the re-skin and the wood color.
- The style of the wood used on the sides is not even similar to any of the pictures advertising this product.
Display, Rack, Holder.
These shelves are made from light-weighted pine. They have a metallic color that will compliment any wooden decor or decors. Other features include its sturdy construction and easy to assemble design.
These shelves are steady enough to hold your items, even if they are heavy. They are ideal for heavy books, framed pictures, decorative items, and other memorabilia. It’s important to be aware of the fact that these shelves are not heavy duty.
3. Fab Glass and Mirror Corner Glass Shelf
Pros:
- Stackable
- Holds up to 31 pounds
- Suitable for bathrooms
- Easy to clean
- Available in several sizes
- Simple and stylish design
- Clear glass looks cool
- Budget-friendly, and the 6" width is great for smaller spaces
- Stylish, well-made shelves
Cons:
- Round design takes up space compared to a rectangular one
- Stickiness of suction cups makes mounting more difficult
- Edges are slightly rough
- Sliding shelves are not ideal for bathroom use
In our quest to find the best floating shelves, we came across the corner glass shelf from Fab Glass. This set has a simple but effective design that puts its usability way over the top. It’s a clear, long, rectangular shelf that comes with four suction cups for mounting. It can fit anywhere in your home and can be placed on its side as well for support.
This shelf from Fab Glass is equipped with a rubber anti-slip pad on the bottom which makes it sturdy and strong enough to hold up to approximately 31 pounds. The anti-slip feet also make it safe for bathroom use no matter how much water is splashed on it.
4. Wallniture Denver Modern Design Floating Picture Display Ledge Wall Mount Shelf 46 Inches White
Pros:
- The top is made from sturdy MDF board, while the bottom is made from high-strength ABS
- Very easy to mount to the wall
- Fits both small and large frames and pictures
- Can be used in small bathrooms
- Nice looking and stylish design
- Very nice color
Cons:
- Difficult to attach picture hangers to ledge
- The shelf is not deep enough to hold two picture frames side by side
- It is impossible to reach to put objects on the top of them
- The bottom is made out of cheap material
- There are no installation instructions provided
And the winner is Wallniture for its versatility in holding a variety of display materials and for this beautiful modern design.
5. Greenco Set of 3 Floating U Shelves
Pros:
- Clips onto surfaces easily
- Lightweight so it can be easily moved
- Great for storing a lot of items
- Very inexpensive
Cons:
- May feel unstable if you have heavier items on top
- Quality is not what it should be
It’s not easy to find a durable, easy to clean, attractive set of floating shelves. However, the Greenco set of 3 floating u shelves is definitely the best place to start looking.
The shelving unit is made of reinforced PVC and comes with steel u-shaped frame clamps that securely grip most surfaces. They are built for strength so you can clip them on the wall. The shelves are very durable and made well. Plus, the set also includes one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
6. EWEI'S HomeWares Floating U Shelves WHC1004CD-ES
Pros:
- Installs in minutes
- Space saver
- Solid wood construction
- Adjustable
- Can hold up to 20 lbs
- Glossy finish
- Beautiful modern design
Cons:
- Installation instructions can be confusing
- Some pieces may arrive broken
- Add-on items not available
Looking for a great way to add storage space to your home without making the place look cluttered? If so, then consider picking up one of these floating shelves. They add a modern touch to any space and can be used to store books, decorations, or any other things you want to showcase.
We’ve chosen the EWEI’s homeWares floating U Shelves for our top pick because of its space saver design and superior quality. It has a modern and sleek appearance that’s sure to add a boost to any home decor. It features a glossy powder-coated finish that blends seamlessly with today’s home design trends.
The EWEI shelf requires zero installation. You simply place the pieces together and put in your items. It can hold up to 20 pounds of weight, so you can comfortably store the items that you want to keep out of sight. This shelf comes in two different sizes – 15 inches and 21 inches in length.
7. WALI Floating Shelf
Pros:
- Weighs less than 2 pounds
- Made with tempered glass
- Metal brackets are adjustable
- Can be installed on both flat and corner walls
- Can hold up to 20 pounds
- Adjusted to fit cable box, DVR, TV accessories, etc.
- Looks like a part of the wall
Cons:
- Assembly instructions are vague
- Not suitable for users with small hands
- Not suitable for storage of heavy items
A fantastic product on our list of floating shelves is the WALI DVD shelf. The glass is made from tempered substance and can hold up to 20 pounds. What’s great about this product is that it has a slim and sleek design, and blends in very nicely with the wall. It keeps your TV and cable box off the floor, and comes in a matte black finish.
The metal brackets on the back wall are adjustable, and can easily be installed on both flat and corner walls. This shelf can be used for cable boxes, DVR, TV accessories, and can also be used as a space-saver for small items like DVDs and CDs. Installation is quite simple, and the assembly doesn’t require any tools.
8. MELANNCO Floating Wall Mount Square Cube Shelves
Pros:
- Prevent damage to wall
- Can be mounted on either side of the wall
- Can add storage space for books, towels, and other things
- Can be placed with or without the use of tools
On the whole, we feel that the 3 Litres Floating Shelves from VEPRED are the best floating shelves we’ve found. They’re incredibly easy to mount on the walls, and can be done without the use of tools. That means you don’t need to invest in a hammer drill to install them.
9. DAKODA LOVE 36" x 5.25" Routed Edge Solid Wood Floating Shelves
10. ClosetMaid 1581 Cubeicals Off-set Mini Organizer
Pros:
- Minimal assembly required
- Lightweight
- Highly versatile
- Durable construction
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- Weight capacity is limited
- Instructions could be clearer
- Some assembly required
We think that you will love viewing your photos and other memorabilia with the help of the ClosetMaid 1581 Cubeicals Off-set Mini Organizer. It comes with an empty closet space so you can fill it up with the things that you cherish most.
Keep in mind that you may want to measure a bit oddly shaped items before buying this shelf. It seems to work best for smaller items, like small figurines, photos, jewelry, or whatever little trinkets call out to you. You can always try using it under a shelf larger than it if you’ve got room for it.
The ClosetMaid 1581 Cubeicals Off-set Mini Organizer is made from solid wood. But it can support loads of up to 25 pounds, making it an excellent shelf for displaying many of your most important things.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best floating shelves?
We looked at only the best floating shelves. The first shelf on our list is incredibly versatile. It holds large flat screen TVs, and the detail on it is beautiful and classic. It’s well made, and we approve of it based on its safety and design. The second shelf on our list is so easy to install that even a kid can do it. These were the ten most impressive shelves we found. We’re proud of the variety on display here.
What to place on floating shelves?
DO NOT put any heavy objects on floating shelves. Heavy objects might not only cause problems when the shelf is floating, they may also cause a problem if the shelf is not floating (it might fall off the wall).
In the event, you want to put a heavy object on a floating shelf, the heavy object should be on the back of the shelf so that the weight can’t move the front of the shelf (where the little shelf that holds the objects should be.
These floating shelves are made of wood, meaning they’ll expand and contract with humidity and temperature. There’s a good chance that the shelf will not be perfectly straight unless you find a special floating shelf that you can fix to the wall.
What wood is best for floating shelves?
For floating shelves, look for plywood made from birch, white oak, maple, or cherry. You can also look for composite wood that includes hardwood and plywood. However, plywood is generally more cost-effective and can look just as nice as hardwood. Composite wood also tends to warp easier than plywood over time. This is because of the lack of glue on the joint where it’s glued to its substrate. Plywood is created using a high-pressure process where the layers are compressed, glued, and bonded together to create a single, seamless sheet. This helps to eliminate warping in the long run.
Are Floating Shelves strong?
Any product that is designed to hold up hundreds of pounds should be strong, but the reality is that many floating shelves that are currently on the market are flimsy and and inadequate for the weight that they are advertised to hold. To make matters worse, several of the heavy-duty floating shelves in our report do not have a maximum weight listed.
Floating shelves are one of the most popular ways that people display items in their homes, especially in the kitchen. Many people hang their pots and pans on the wall instead of leaving them in cabinets that take up valuable space. A floating shelf is attractive and makes your items immediately accessible.
However, we strongly recommend that you carefully read the descriptions and reviews for the floating shelves you are interested in. Many shelves are designed to hold a few light items, while others can hold small appliances or plants.
Conclusion
After some extensive research, our top pick is the déLé Lite Floating Shelf. This product delivers an overwhelming amount of value and is a unique addition to any home. The one drawback is that it’s very difficult to install. While the manufacturer knows that this is a problem, they are offering a 200% money back guarantee as a way to mitigate against installation difficulties. There is a very real possibility that a professional may not be required to install it for you. If you already have a contractor installing your new counter tops, it may be relatively easy for them to install.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| BAYKA Floating Shelves Wall Mounted | Best Overall | |
| EWEI'S HomeWares Floating U Shelves WHC1004CD-ES | Budget Pick | |
| Joel's Antiques & Reclaimed Decor 48" W X 7" D X 3" H | Upgrade Pick | |