Building Free Floating Shelves: My Personal Experience

After moving into my new apartment, I realized that I needed more storage space. However, I didn’t want to buy pre-made shelves that would take up valuable floor space. That’s when I came across the idea of building free floating shelves. Here’s how I did it:

How To Build Free Floating Shelves

Step-by-Step Guide

Measure and mark where you want to install the shelves on the wall.
Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall.
Drill holes into the studs where you marked the shelf placement.
Insert anchors into the drilled holes.
Attach the shelf brackets to the wall anchors.
Slide the shelves onto the brackets.
Secure the shelves to the brackets with screws.

Top 10 Tips and Ideas

Choose high-quality materials for your shelves and brackets to ensure durability.
Use a level to ensure that your shelves are installed straight.
Paint or stain your shelves to match your room’s decor.
Consider using different sized shelves to create a unique display.
Add LED lighting to your shelves for a modern touch.
Use floating shelves to display your favorite books or collectibles.
Install shelves in the kitchen to store cookbooks and dishes.
Hang floating shelves above a desk to create a functional workspace.
Use floating shelves in the bathroom to store towels and toiletries.
Consider building a corner shelf for a small space solution.

Pros and Cons

Like any home improvement project, there are pros and cons to building free floating shelves. Here are a few to consider:

Pros:

Free floating shelves take up less floor space than traditional shelves.
They can be customized to fit any space.
They add a modern, minimalist look to any room.

Cons:

Free floating shelves require more planning and effort to install than traditional shelves.
They may not be able to hold as much weight as traditional shelves.
They can be more expensive to build, depending on the materials used.

Personal Review and Suggestion

Overall, I am very happy with my decision to build free floating shelves. They have added extra storage space to my apartment without taking up valuable floor space. Plus, they look great! My suggestion for anyone looking to build their own free floating shelves is to take your time and plan out the project carefully. Measure twice, cut once, as they say.

Question & Answer / FAQs

Q: How much weight can free floating shelves hold?

A: This depends on the materials used and the strength of the wall anchors. Generally, free floating shelves can hold up to 20-30 pounds per linear foot when installed properly.

Q: Can I install free floating shelves without a stud?

A: It is not recommended to install free floating shelves without a stud. However, there are wall anchors available that can support the weight of the shelves if a stud is not present.