These designer-approved floating shelf ideas will show you how to make the most of a little bit of vertical space.
![](https://homeiswnc.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image.png)
COURTESY OF ANN GOTTLIEB, BY ANGELA NEWTON ROY PHOTOGRAPHY
You can put floating shelves just about anywhere. Stack them over your desk and decorate with your favorite reads or line up your wine glasses on them and create a dry bar—the possibilities are endless. Named for the way they look on the walls thanks to hidden hardware, floating shelves are the most stylish form of storage. These floating shelf ideas from homes by designers across the South are sure to inspire and show you how to make the most of a little bit of vertical space.
Install Under-Shelf Lighting
![Lighted floating shelves in kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/phz3ut8-D6JAIvRYDCZh3MVulAE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/AmysInteriors-7577f513f39f455eacd24b21922b9712.jpg)
If you feel like your shelves are missing something but can’t quite identify what, try adding some under-shelf lighting. It helps create a little extra drama and makes whatever you’ve styled on the shelves shine—literally.
Trim Them Out
![Teal kitchen with floating shelves](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/jV2Q63bgOjyRvr4JjJjPkLyZa2U=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/CreativeTonicDesign-JulieSoefer1-27c2fa89591e4254b183b1d2cdeae56e.jpg)
Teal is the color of choice in this kitchen by Creative Tonic Design in Houston, Texas. Adding trim to the floating shelves in the same hue as the cabinets and hood make them feel all the more intentional and cohesive.
Add a Shelf Rail
![Floating shelves in kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Z7cky_ig7NeQZbj7d33BncBmAFs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/UrbanologyDesigns-MikeDavelloPhotography-957eee022c584c92b20ff111d66359d3.jpg)
The purpose of a shelf rail is to keep objects from falling, but the decorative impact it makes is undeniable. Here the brass creates a striking, vintage-inspired contrast against the wood.
Use Live Edge Wood
![Coastal outdoor kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Nx9YzanAjJudB3UXlsQ1bFfe1D4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/PRDCustomHomesInteriors-RutaSmith-cae8635c2b524ebf815770e4e5a16ba8.jpg)
Instead of being perfectly cut and polished, live edge wood takes advantage of all the natural beauty of the material. Each shelf will be noticeably one-of-a-kind and add organic personality to your space.
Bookend the Television
![Living room TV console](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/X0vO-FXk-4rxzurPLcCmz16mzto=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ErinMyersDesign-LauraVisioni-3945a485425c4d31a990e95eacb19167.png)
No one wants the TV to be the focal point in a room. Sometimes though, the size of the TV or layout of the space makes its overwhelming presence unavoidable. Besides using a Samsung frame TV to help camouflage the technology, Erin Myers Design in Washington, DC hung a trio of floating shelves on both sides to make the wall as a whole feel more styled.
Box Them Out
![Coastal living room](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/yx54oQA1KHM_bYhq9vXv_yE6l3s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/JillHowardDesignStudio-JuliaLynn2-84ba86048c4d437fbb5fbab979a8aa20.jpg)
Simple yet statement-making, we love the modern, unexpected look of rectangular floating shelves. Even better, the silhouette offers double the styling opportunities.
Stretch It Across the Wall
![Living room TV console](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/EPYdGE4pQbyEpMWvopR11xPF1XY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/UrbanologyDesigns-MattiGresham6-df29c976dae44c80bfba9512f27331cc.jpg)
Make a long wall feel even longer with a floating shelf that stretches from one side of the room to the other. As seen in this space by Urbanology Designs in Dallas, Texas, you don’t have to fill the whole thing up with knick-knacks—breathing room keeps it from feeling cluttered.
Layer Them Over Windows
![Modern neutral kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Y_mqy62lsdNuJNbTZg7RTS-G2dQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/BlackberryFarmDesign1-IngallsPhotography-0041be4332b84c4b8a41e23b2ee39b41.png)
In most circumstances, you don’t want to minimize any natural light, but sometimes you’re lucky enough to have an abundance or the windows aren’t giving you very much to begin with. Enter: floating shelves.
Create a Geometric Design
![Office](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/4PY2CymfTuZAM553LXlLnnihbE8=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/EmilyJuneDesigns-KerryKirkPhotography2-4232a25d5d1440488e5cdff802982610.jpg)
With a lot of floating shelves, it’s what’s on them that stands out. In the case of these shelves designed by Emily June Designs in Houston, Texas, the shape and layout make a statement on their own.
Add Mini Cabinets
![Modern neutral kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/5aEPt5hDAQmuC012UWZHPMz9JN0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/JillHowardDesignStudio-JuliaLynn1-973aa5392ecc44d7bdedba9937007c20.jpg)
The chief complaint about floating shelves is that they upkeep to continuously look good. By incorporating mini cabinets, you get the best of both worlds: beautifully styled vignettes front and center combined with practical storage behind closed doors.
Outfit a Nook
![Floating shelves in living room](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/RynF-gqKI7fuX4mSOiAkqLNTzeU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/BlueberryJonesDesign-AveryNicole-2611d9d1df024e9c93e4f94467d81761.jpg)
Nooks can be tricky: They’re often big enough that you can’t ignore them, but small enough that your design options are limited. Floating shelves are simple to install and work as both a storage and styling moment.
Wave Around
![Boys bedroom](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/hDd0gJ0AU1B16dRnWwhYEwi5TO4=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/StephanieLondonInteriors-ParBengtsson-1b6eb570d855479c9d0627ab304880bc.jpg)
When you think of floating shelves, you typically imagine clean lines. In this boys’ bedroom by Stephanie London Interiors in Austin, Texas, the wavy design brings playful personality that fits in perfectly with the space.
Create a Bookshelf
![Floating shelves in kitchen](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/Zm9rtnYvi_iLNP7UW-1GU73vgWc=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/AnnGottlieb-AngelaNewtonRoyPhotography1-96c133e2b3f5474e92d34fd48d15890a.jpg)
In this kitchen by Ann Gottlieb Design in Washington, DC, floating shelves used on the side of kitchen cabinets create a bookshelf that seamlessly transitions into the living area.
Thin Them Out
![Coffee bar with floating shelves](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/-wh5CADN7ADYJ8WvCCvYGKeMeTE=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/ChinottoHouse-NativeHousePhotography-fafec4ab368649e88662dc79af2d1d90.jpg)
Slender floating shelves have a minimalist feel to them, drawing your attention to other details. In this case, the brass hardware, wood countertop, and green sconce.
Create Unexpected Built-Ins
![Green kitchen with floating shelves and library ladder](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/iwoswFug0MLNEzuGGMKHEjrPU1s=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/FourBrothersDesignBuild-SteveHershberger5-db12f1f69534439c946dc7619e5d506b.jpg)
To break up the wall-to-wall green cabinetry in this kitchen, Four Brothers Design + Build in Washington, DC incorporated wood floating shelves with a brick backsplash. You could also add surprising floating shelf built-ins around your bed or in a bathroom.
Match Them with Painted Trim
![Bold colorful laundry room with wallpaper](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/U-Qygz6MF2rSDrNLZgO6weakMww=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/EmilyJuneDesigns-ClaudiaCasbarianforJulieSoefer-cfab5e8fadfa46abb8f97500befe5b88.jpg)
Painted trim is one of the biggest paint color trends of the moment, adding bold personality to a space. Why not take it one step further and match your floating shelves to the trim?
Make Them Invisible
![Playroom basement](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/LYNtc9WC_Pf87gL8kaB2l5dGvxs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/JenniferBarron-MollyCulver1-9186cd755f534600a19846bd47c1d558.jpg)
Redefine the “floating” part of floating shelves: Here, acrylic shelves minimize visual clutter and create the illusion that the books are suspended in the air against the wall.
Play With Visual Weight
![Modern neutral kitchen with glass front cabinets and floating shelves](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/VAlnPFFDWTDivpeS_-n5LM7lUPU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/UrbanologyDesigns-CostaChristPhotography4-ccc8311307ac482ba8f741a27fdfbf1f.jpg)
Though symmetrical design is said to create a sense of calm and balance, asymmetrical design is often more interesting to the eye (and allows for more creativity). In this kitchen by Urbanology Designs in Dallas, Texas, glass-front cabinets on one side of the window and two floating shelves on the other play with the visual weight and catch the eye.
Build Them Into Your Headboard
![Coastal bedroom](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/veVuaKCSA5ELrWFLqPJY4-tpEws=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/JillHowardDesignStudio-JuliaLynn4-25edf231bbfb4a00bfc943472a1a1295.jpg)
Especially ideal for small spaces and guest rooms that don’t require as much storage, a mini floating shelf attached to a headboard kills two birds with one stone: form and function.
Position Them Above Your Counters
![Navy blue kitchen with checkered tile](https://www.southernliving.com/thmb/j6PULYuvdDwqlTtwwxqCuW0cE60=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/FourBrothersDesignBuild-SteveHershberger11-66f2d41ba53745e88f01c53a2bc75828.jpg)
When you have more than enough cabinets but are lacking in counters, consider making room for floating shelves above them. There you can put your go-to cookbooks, seasoning, and oils, keeping them easily accessible and at arm’s length while maintaining a clear food prep area.
Quincy Bulin