Floating shelf

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.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-11 |title=A Brief History of Floating Shelves and Open Shelving |url=https://shelfology.com/blogs/shelfology-u/a-brief-history-of-floating-shelves-and-open-shelving |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=Shelfology |language=en}}

Floating shelves are a good fit for a contemporary minimalist style interior.{{cite web|url=https://www.squaresigns.com/blog/home-office-wall-decor-ideas-for-a-creative-workspace|title=20 Home Office Wall Decor Ideas For A Creative Workspace|last=Brown|first=Grace|website=squaresigns.com|date=August 6, 2020|access-date=March 8, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308094423/https://www.squaresigns.com/blog/home-office-wall-decor-ideas-for-a-creative-workspace|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms-ideas/the-best-floating-shelves-80523|title=Shopping Edit – 8 space-savvy floating shelves for modern homes|work=Ideal Home|date=September 23, 2021|access-date=March 8, 2022|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308094423/https://www.idealhome.co.uk/all-rooms-ideas/the-best-floating-shelves-80523|url-status=live}}

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.{{cite book |author=Joanne Kellar Bouknight |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oPCBxbfiwMgC&pg=PA34 |title=Taunton's All New Built-ins Idea Book |publisher=Taunton Press |year=2012 |isbn=9781600853883 |access-date=2022-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308094421/https://books.google.com/books?id=oPCBxbfiwMgC&pg=PA34 |archive-date=2022-03-08 |url-status=live}} 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.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZuuzDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43|title=The All New Illustrated Guide to Everything Sold in Hardware Stores|page=43|last1=Ettlinger|first1=Steve|last2=Schmidt|first2=Phil|publisher=Cool Springs Press|year=2017|isbn=9780760357736|access-date=2022-03-08|archive-date=2022-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308094423/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZuuzDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web |title=How to Install Floating Shelves |url=https://nookwoodworking.com/blogs/news/how-to-install-floating-shelves |website=NookWoodworking |publisher=NookWoodworking |access-date=17 June 2024}} There are also corner shelves, which may use different supports to make them "float".{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

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.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=How Much Weight Can a Floating Shelf Hold? |url=https://shelfology.com/blogs/shelfology-u/how-much-weight-can-a-floating-shelf-hold |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Shelfology |language=en}}

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

{{Reflist}}

Category:Furniture

{{furniture-stub}}