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The Best Wall-Mounted Shelves for Your Home

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 25 Feb 2023

Not everyone has the privilege of having a lot of storage space in their house. When you have limited space and need to make the best use of it, you may use several storage solutions to optimize the available space. Some people may use a standard bookshelf to store belongings, but what if you don’t have the floor space to put up an additional piece of furniture? This is where wall-mounted shelves come in.

The best thing about these shelves is that they don’t require any floor space, and you can easily mount them on a wall. Each shelf can hold an ample number of items, so you can store a lot of your things and make the most of your space. If this idea sounds appealing to you, we have some good news for you. We bring you the greatest wall-mounted shelves in 2023 that will ease your storage issues without any hassle.

Best Overall
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BAYKA Floating Wall Shelves
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Runner Up
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Peter's Goods Modern Floating Shelves
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Honorable Mention
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EWEI'S HomeWares Floating U Shelves
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Contender
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OMYSA Boho Wall Hanging Shelf
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Buying Guide for the Best Wall-Mounted Shelves

Now that we’ve gone over quite a few impressive floating wall shelves, let’s talk about how you can choose the perfect set for your home.  Picking one set of wall-mounted shelves amongst a wide array of others can get confusing. This is why we’re here to help you make the right decision for your home. Continue reading on to learn how you can get your hands on the best wall-mounted shelves in 2023.

Is a Wall-mounted Shelf Better Than a Regular Shelf?

Many people believe that a wall-mounted shelf is a bigger commitment than a regular, movable shelf, and this is true. You can shift and move a regular shelf around as you please, but a floating shelf does not give you that much flexibility. This is why you have to be sure of where you want it before you start assembling it.

However, this seems to be the only downside of a wall-mounted shelf. These shelves allow you to store your belongings even if there isn’t much room in the house. They don’t require any actual floor space, all they need is a wall to back up against. You can place them in any nook or corner of the house, and they will stay in their place. They are also more aesthetically pleasing than a bookcase or shelf. This is why we have reached the conclusion that wall-mounted shelves are, in fact, better than regular shelves.  

How To Choose the Right Floating Shelves for Your Home

Here are several aspects that you need to consider carefully before buying a wall-mounted shelf.

Material

The material of the floating shelves is one of the most important things to consider when buying them. The shelves can be made of plastic, engineered wood, MDF, or premium wood. The best material out of these options is wood, as it is stronger and sturdier than the other materials. The downside, though, is that wood shelves can be pretty pricey. If you do invest in shelves made from other materials, make sure they’re of high quality so your wall-mounted shelves can easily support your items.

Design

We have come across several different designs in the list mentioned above. Some are traditional, and some are more modern. Some are heavy, and some are simplistic. With so many designs and styles to choose from, it can be hard to decide on any one set. You should focus on designs that suit your taste and preference. If you like minimalist furniture, a simple floating rack would be great. If you are into traditional designs, you can look for more vintage or classic styles. Also, make sure that the design complements the look of your house and furniture. 

Size

While wall-mounted shelves are usually smaller in size, you may want to consider the size according to your room’s space. If you have a large vacant wall, you can get a bigger floating shelf, or multiple smaller shelves. However, if you have other things hung on your wall, you should opt for a compact shelf that you can easily place in a tight spot. This allows you to make optimal use of all spaces within your house, no matter how limited.

Easy to clean

Your wall-mounted shelf will definitely catch a lot of attention every time someone sees it. So, you need to make sure that all such floating racks and shelves are spotless. The daily use will result in the accumulation of dust and dirt on the shelves, which will need to be cleaned regularly. This is why you need to ensure that whatever wall-mounted shelves you get are easy to clean. Some may have complicated designs that can be hard to clean, so make sure you get one that allows more accessibility so you can clean the entire shelf.

Best Wall-Mounted Shelves Worth Considering for 2023

1

BAYKA Floating Wall Shelves

– Best Overall
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The BAYKA Floating Shelves are made of high-quality, refined paulownia wood, which is very lightweight and warp-resistant. This wood is usually used for making wooden chests and shelves, so you know the BAKYA shelves will be of good quality. The shelves each come with two triangular metal brackets that support them. This package includes all the necessary screws and drywall anchors, plus a manual so that you can easily put up the shelves on any desired wall.

These versatile wall-mounted shelves give your house a fancy look and allow you to organize your stuff neatly. You can use these shelves in any room, whether it’s your bedroom, living room, washroom, or kitchen, and it can hold up all your stuff easily. You can buy two sets if you have an empty wall and decorate your space with these floating shelves.

Pros
  • Comes in a set of three to store plenty of items 
  • High-quality paulownia wood for long-lasting use
  • Sturdy triangular metal brackets for durability
Cons
  • Assembly may be difficult
2

Peter’s Goods Modern Floating Shelves

– Runner Up
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Peter’s Goods is another great manufacturer of wall-mounted shelves that has our complete trust. They bring a modern twist to storage with their sleek and smart design for wall-mounted shelves. These shelves are made of premium paulownia, cedar, and pine woods. These materials give them great strength and durability and keep them lightweight.  The wood is water and warp-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about any damage. Each of these shelves can easily hold up to 20lbs, which gives you optimal storage space with versatility.

These deep wall-mounted shelves come with support railings so your stuff can stay secure on the shelf without risk of it falling off. The package includes two pre-assembled shelves, so you don’t have to do any work, and an optional towel holder for your kitchen and bathroom.

Pros
  • It comes with pre-assembled shelves for easy set up
  • You get an extra towel rod for convenience
  • Made of premium wood combination for durability
Cons
  • The towel rod is not super sturdy
3

EWEI’S HomeWares Floating U Shelves

– Honorable Mention
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If you’re someone who enjoys simplistic designs and minimalistic furniture, then this is the perfect storage solution for you. These simple, U-shaped floating shelves are made of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and laminate. It’s not real wood, but it’s sturdy enough to hold and support your belongings, whether you put it in your kitchen or bathroom.  The white finish of the shelves makes them easily compatible with all home decor; however, they are also available in gray. 

The floating shelves are easy to hang on a wall and come with all the required hardware for assembly. You can use these floating shelves to store books, kitchen essentials, or decorative items. You also get a money-back guarantee in case you don’t like the product.

Pros
  • Simple and minimalist design to match your interior design
  • Made of MDF and laminate for longevity
  • Sturdy and rugged to support your belongings
Cons
  • Not made of real wood
4

OMYSA Boho Wall Hanging Shelf

– Contender
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One of the best things about a floating shelf is that they can be styled many different ways. Known for its unique design, the OMYSA wall hanging shelf is a package of two hanging shelves with triangular hanging ropes attached to a ring. All you need to do is put a nail into a wall and hang the pre-assembled shelves. Each shelf can hold up to 15lbs, which allows you to store a combined 30lbs per set.

These shelves would be perfect for use in a garden room where you can hang them and place grown plants on them. You can also use them anywhere else in the house, including your living room and kitchen. You can arrange the shelves together in many different designs, which gives you room to be creative. The floating shelves are sturdy and strong enough to support decorative items, plants, and other lightweight objects.

Pros
  • Unique and creative style that is attractive 
  • Pre-assembled shelves that are easy to hang
  • Will alter the look of your room for the better
Cons
  • Swinging motion can damage items
5

Love-KANKEI Floating Shelves

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This is another traditional style wall-mounted shelf set that you can trust to support your items. Since the supportive and sturdy structure promises greater stability, this could be the perfect set for you. The set comes with three paulownia wood shelves with black metal brackets that hold the shelves from above. The shelves are perfect for holding small plants and collectibles. When you feel like your room could use extra storage space, you can use these shelves to declutter your house and put your belongings on display. 

The shelves are really sturdy and can be assembled easily using the instruction manual. Each shelf can support up to 40lbs.

Pros
  • Made of high-quality paulownia wood for durability
  • Sturdy and strong to support multiple items 
  • Can hold up to 40lbs
Cons
  • The shelves aren’t very deep

Wall-Mounted Shelf FAQ

Q: How much weight can an average wall-mounted shelf hold?

A: The amount of weight a wall-mounted shelf can hold largely depends on its brackets. The stronger the brackets, the more weight they will be able to support. Each of these shelves comes with its own specified range of weight that it supports without giving way. However, most wall-mounted shelves can hold weights ranging from 15lbs to 60lbs.

Q: How do I install a wall-mounted shelf?

A: Every shelf comes with its own instruction manual on how you can easily install it in your home. However, different types of wall-mounted shelves have different assembly processes. Wooden shelves with metal brackets usually need to be set up by fixing the brackets and the shelves together on the wall. Both of these items have to be placed in the right positions to ensure optimal support. On the other hand, you can simply hang hanging shelves on a nail hammered into the wall.

Q: What to do before installing wall-mounted shelves?

A: When you're installing a wall-mounted shelf in your home, there are several things you have to do beforehand. These are:

  •     Mark the wall to get an accurate view of how you will install your shelf
  •     Decide which tools you will be using to install your floating shelf
  •     Gather any wall studs, anchors, and connectors needed to put up your shelves
  •     Drill holes into wall studs if you're using them
  •     Drill any extra holes in your wall that you might need for installing the shelves
This should be enough for you to install your floating shelves securely.

Living Room Shelving
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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