Decorating Ideas Floating Shelves Ideas

Make It Modern

Give your floating shelves a fresh, unexpected twist by taking cues from this modern family kitchen. Interior designer Breegan Jane bridges the gap between the upper cabinets and wall with three white oak floating shelves. The two top shelves extend the length of the wall while the third shelf stops three-quarters of the way below. This top-heavy, asymmetrical installation lends the space an effortless, modern and elevated appeal.

Distract From the TV

Add some floating shelves above your TV to draw the eyes up. In this example, the TV fades into the background. Adding color-coded books to your shelves is another fun trick to attract the eye away from the TV.

see more: 35 No-Brainer Ways to Hide the Ugly Stuff in Your House

Display a Book Collection

Narrow shelves can be used to display books like a magazine rack — perfect for a collection of coffee table books you'd like to showcase. Also fun: displaying framed artwork or family photos. Try this idea over a credenza or dresser.

Bridge the Gap

Consider adding a few shelves between your existing kitchen cabinets. You can display your prettiest dishes and glasses, and switch it up seasonally.

Add Laundry Room Storage

Increase storage space in your laundry room with a couple of floating shelves — it'll quickly upgrade the functionality of your space. And if you'd rather decorate, display artwork or plants for a cozy-cool feel.

Try a Bath Hack

Floating shelves can be miracle workers for anyone who happens to have a small bathroom. If you lack storage in your sink vanity, or just need more space, add shelves to your bathroom walls to manage the overflow of toiletries.

see more: 40+ Clever Bathroom Storage Ideas

Show Off Statement Pieces

Shelves prominently displayed on the wall can actually act as artwork. Here, six white plaster shelves are staggered to showcase a cool collection of wooden sculptures. When cleverly arranged ... it's art!

Build a Kiddie Shelf

Floating shelves (like these white and gold ones) make a great addition to any kid's space — they double as a spot to store books, as well as a place to display decor. Hang shelving higher if you don't want your child to reach them, or lower for easy access.

Add a Color Pop

Use floating shelves to bring color into a space. Here, ballet-slipper pink shelves in a neutral bathroom add visual interest to the wall.

Set Up Sleek Bar Storage

Keep stemware within reach above your wet bar (or bar cart!) with a pair of floating shelves. Here, designer Zoe Feldman shows how it's done with two honey-stained wood shelves floating above a navy marble-top bar. Sparkling glassware lines the bottom shelf, while the upper one remains empty for a crisp, clean display.

Go for Glass

Put a statement wall to work with floating glass shelves. Bartone Interiors creates stealthy stemware storage on the stone feature wall. Glass and acrylic shelving allows extravagant wallpaper, charming stonework or a beloved mural to shine, while adding much-needed storage to your space.

Flank Your Range

Make this high-contrast design by House of Jade Interiors your muse: Use floating shelves to create a chic focal point in your kitchen. Install two or three rows of shelving on each side of your range. Fill them with serveware, everyday cooking essentials, fresh-cut blooms and recipe books. Now you've got a polished, balanced look.

Elevate Your Office

Skip the traditional (read: pricey) built-in bookcase and install a set of floating shelves in your home office instead. A pair of rich, walnut-stained shelves extend the length of the wall, serving as a stately backdrop to business in this handsome emerald office. Follow designer Judith Balis' lead and style your study shelves with meaningful books, fluffy foliage, collected art and sculptural tchotchkes.

see more: 65+ Small Home Office Ideas

Create an Entry Table

Short on space? Don't let that stop you from creating an inviting entryway. Here, the pros at Design 4 Corners used a live-edge floating shelf to create a cozy entry table. Task sconces shine a spotlight on the shelf overhead while a framed photo, potted plant and book stack complete the vignette.

See More Photos: 20 Designer Entryway Ideas to Steal

Mix It Up

Invite whimsy and movement into your kitchen design by using floating shelves that vary in length. This Scandinavian kitchen offers ample inspiration with four staggered white oak shelves. The mixed-length floating shelves turn essential kitchen storage into an eye-catching, artful display.

Frame Your Fireplace

Make like designer Brian Patrick Flynn and fill the awkward wall space around your fireplace with floating shelves. Here, he installed charming wooden ones, infusing organic texture into an otherwise coastal space. Try his trick with reclaimed wood or keep it classic with crisp-white shelves.

Make a Cool Vanity

Believe it or not, you can turn floating shelves into a drool-worthy vanity. Here, the pros at Lexi Grace Design used two sets of floating shelves to create this one-of-a-kind modern oak vanity. The vibrant shelves wash the white-on-white space with warmth and offer open-air storage for fluffy white towels, woven baskets and fresh foliage.

see more: Stylish + Functional Single Bathroom Vanity Designs

Suave-Up a Study Nook

Fill the random recessed corner of a primary bedroom with a series of floor-to-ceiling floating shelves to create an ensuite study. Paint shelves a bold, contrasting hue that pops against the surrounding wall color, or go monochrome for an understated, sophisticated display. Glossy hardcovers, quirky bookends and fragrant blooms will add to all the elegance.

Nix the China Cabinet

Not a fan of traditional china cabinets? Not a problem. Floating shelves are secret weapons for creating sleek dining room displays in modern or contemporary homes. Stack shelves from floor to ceiling and fill them with special-occasion-serveware, family photos, greenery or vases. Instant homey-ness.

Create Dreamy Bedside Tables

Limited bedroom square footage? Make the most of a modest space with floating-shelf bedside tables. Here, designer Genna Margolis flanks the bed with two bright-white floating shelves, complete with handy pull-out drawers. Twin sconces highlight the shelves and wash the room in a diffused golden light ideal for reading into the night.

Make It Pop

Install white floating shelves on white walls to create the ultimate blank canvas for a treasured art collection (or your favorite vases, books and trinkets). The white-on-white technique creates the illusion your shelves are one with the wall, allowing artwork and accessories to stand out.

Turn the Corner

Use floating shelves to bring function and beauty to an underutilized corner of your kitchen. Three walnut floating shelves fitted with LED lights offer a handsome spot to display copper cookware and designer trays. Deep wood tones bridge the gap between the inky backsplash and white wall, creating balance.

Style With Shapes

Why limit yourself to traditional, ledge-style shelves when you can enjoy floating hexagons? Use geometric wood cubbies to recreate WAKE + LOOM's honeycomb wall display for your kid's playroom. Stain the wood to infuse warmth or make a statement with a bold paint color. Fill the shelves with playful accents like family photos, plush animals, air plants and books.

Saturate the Space

Draw inspiration from Bailey Austin Design and use floating shelves to crown a breakfast nook with color. Here, three white shelves house a colorful collection of candle votives. Recreate this look in your kitchen by using objects in the same saturated tones (candles, cook books, picture frames), or create a custom palette reflecting your existing kitchen decor.

see more: 30 Beautiful Breakfast Nooks

Go Perpendicular

Mix it up in the kitchen: Install floating shelves perpendicular to your countertops — it's great for smaller nooks or spaces. This creative technique allows for the same amount of storage space as traditional, horizontal installation without adding bulk to the design.