Display and Wall Shelves

Display shelves are both a perfect decorative accessory and a clever storage solution. You can use them to keep your endless book collection in line, showcase your favorite trinkets or even as stand alone decor. Worried about using up precious floor space with a freestanding design? Wall shelves and picture ledges will do the trick and you won’t have to part with an inch of floor. As you shop for new display shelves, ask yourself the following questions to help determine which styles and designs will work best in your home.

How do I choose the right shelf for my space?

For most spaces, the location will help you select the right unit to purchase. For example, if you are looking to hang wall shelves in an entryway, units with hooks and cubbies for hanging keys or storing mail would be helpful for eliminating clutter. Make sure to consider the depth of the shelf relative to the room size though. If it’s in a narrow or high traffic area, shallower is better — the last thing you need is someone bumping into it! Perhaps you have tight living quarters but would love to show off your treasures or photos? Corner shelves, both freestanding and wall mounted, make great use of otherwise useless corners. Alternatively, make use of the area above your sofa by mounting some decorative shelves to accent your existing furniture.

When is it appropriate to use a floating shelf?

Floating shelves (meaning any hardware or brackets are hidden), aren’t designed to hold a lot of weight. So depending on what you want to display, check the weight capacity on the product to make sure it will accommodate your plans. If you want to display framed artwork or classic books for example, a floating shelf with a picture ledge would be best for keeping prints in place. The lip on the front will prevent the frames from sliding off and perfectly angle the art for viewing. For displaying collections, you best option might be wall mounted or freestanding tiered shelves that keep all of your valuables in a single line of vision. Heavier and more substantial objects will likely require strong brackets and quality materials in order to prevent sagging. Remember: it’s always a good idea to mount shelving of all kinds on wall studs for safety.

How can I make a wall shelf look decorative?

Shelving with decorative mounting brackets are more rustic and can even border on utilitarian. By exposing the hardware that makes them work, you create more of an industrial and architecturally driven space. Box shelves or cubbies allow you to easily design miniature wall vignettes throughout your home. If looking to create more of an eclectic and collection-driven home, than these designs are perfect solutions. One of the greatest things about wall mounted shelves is that they get your things off the floor and organize them at eye level. Not only do you keep your floors clutter-free, but you are then able to admire all of your acquired and collected precious trinkets at a closer glance.