Buyers’ guide: floating shelves
Shelves with hidden brackets look sleek and can be very practical too
Fitted along a kitchen wall, above a bed or in an alcove, these shelves have no visible supports and appear to float. They come in wood veneer, glossy white and bright colours. For an individual look, choose several of different lengths or stagger them to create a stepped appearance.
Beech-finish floating shelves (H5cm x W60cm x D23cm), £14.99 each, Wickes
Good colour choice
Mixing colours and finishes is a breeze with these shelves from Ikea, which come in black, white, plus four colours and wood effects.
Lack shelves (H5cm x W110cm x D26cm), £9.99 each, Ikea
Extra strong
These shelves are cantilevered, which means steel rods are inserted into the masonry of the wall, so they can hold heavy items.
White painted MDF wall shelf (H5cm x W200cm x D30cm), £152, The Shelving Company
Lacquer finish
These high-gloss floating display shelves come in pink, black, dark chocolate or white.
High gloss floating shelves (H4cm x W58.5cm x D19cm), £9.99 each, Argos
Before you buy
How do floating shelves work?
Holes are drilled into the wall to support a horizontal bracket or bar, which has protruding steel rods. The shelves slot onto the steel rods.
Can I fit them to any wall?
‘Masonry walls are best,' says Jonathan Coombes of The Shelving Company. ‘For plasterboard walls, if you can locate wood stud work and fix into that, the shelves will be supported. Fitting them directly into the plasterboard means they won't take much weight.'
What tools do I need?
Use a detector to check for wiring or pipes in the wall. Work with a spirit level and measuring tape to get the shelves level.
Can I fit them in an alcove?
Alcoves aren't always square so buy shelves slightly longer than your measurements and trim to fit. Use decorator's caulk to fill any gaps at the back or sides.
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