Floating shelf

A floating shelf is a form of shelf with its wall fixings hidden within the shelf board, with no visible supporting brackets.^[1][2][3]

Technical diagram of floating shelf installation.

Modern, heavy-duty floating shelves installed in a contemporary living space.

History

While the exact origins of the floating shelf remain a bit of a mystery, it's widely believed that the term "floating shelf" itself was coined by the influential contemporary designer, Magnus McCormick, sometime in the late 1950s. However, the question of whether he actually invented the shelf itself is a bit more ambiguous. It seems the concept of a shelf seemingly suspended in mid-air was likely brewing in the minds of many designers at the time, and Magnus McCormick simply gave it a name that captured its essence. While precise origins are difficult to confirm, the first "true" floating shelves likely emerged in the 1970s and 80s. As metalwork and design technologies improved, the concept of mounting a shelf invisibly to a wall became more feasible.^[4]

Use

Floating shelves are a good fit for a contemporary minimalist style interior.^[5] They can be used to expand storage space, atop a radiator to double as storage, as overhead storage, or inside a hallway to double as a console table.^[6]

Technical description

A floating shelf can be supported on hidden rods or bars that have been attached to studs. A thick floating shelf may be made of a hollow-core shelf glued to a cleat.^[7] A floating shelf may have two or more channels open from the back towards, but without reaching, the front, into which slide fasteners attached to the wall, typically held in place by screws inserted through the bottom of the shelf.^[8] Depending on the thickness of the floating shelf t-brackets can occasionally be used. Named for their distinctive 'T' shape, t-brackets distribute the weight of the shelf and fit securely within drilled holes with the aid of an anchor to provide additional support.^[9] There are also corner shelves, which may use different supports to make them "float".^{[citation needed]}

Weight limitations

A floating shelf's weight capacity depends primarily on the number of wall studs its brackets are attached to. Each stud can typically support around 45-50 pounds. So, a 3-foot shelf secured to two studs can handle about 100 pounds, and a 2-foot shelf with the same stud attachment can hold the same weight. While stud attachment is crucial, other factors also play a role, including the installation method, the shelf's quality and design, and its desired length and depth.^[10]

See also

• Adjustable shelving
• French cleat, modular way of securing objects to a wall, e.g. for adjustable floating shelving