Stylish Floating Shelves for Your Home Library

Most avid readers have more books than they can count, but finding space for stacks upon stacks of reading material can be both an organizational and aesthetic challenge. Bookcases are an upgrade from the pile-on-the-floor method, but they often have a significant size footprint. Enter the floating shelf, which allows you to claim wall space that typically goes unused and turn it into an artful, savvy storage solution for your personal library. 

What should you know before buying floating shelves?

1. Material: You’ll want to consider which material your shelves are made of. Sturdier hardwoods, like walnut, oak, or maple, are good options, and you’ll want shelves that are at least two inches thick. That said, plywood, metal, and plastic will get the job done, too. 
2. Budget: Floating shelves are often less expensive than standalone bookshelves and can range from $20 apiece to a few hundred dollars for a set. Don’t forget to factor in quantities (for example, three individual shelves vs. one set) when comparing prices.
3. Installation: The “floating” look is accomplished by sliding shelves onto hidden brackets. Ideally, these brackets are mounted on wall studs for security and longevity. 
4. Weight capacity: For every stud a floating shelf bracket is attached to, it can hold up to 50 pounds. If you’re unable to attach your brackets to wall studs, take extra care to adhere to the weight limit provided by the shelf maker. 
5. Depth: When browsing, look for shelves that aren’t too deep—the deeper a floating shelf is, the less weight it can hold. 

In trying to find floating shelves that would work for most book lovers, we looked for versatility and sturdiness. The Shelfology Aksel Floating Shelf tops our list of recommendations because its dimensions can be customized, and we also like that the company uses sturdy FSC-certified wood. As a bonus, these shelves look sleek and stylish, and Shelfology’s expertise runs deep (it focuses almost exclusively on floating shelf systems).

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