Break out of the brackets

hether you live in a small flat or a big house, there’s one thing you just can’t get enough of: storage. Precision Metal Manufacturing

No matter how much you already have, you can always do with more clever ways to store your stuff neatly and out of sight. After all, tidy house, tidy mind.

However, there are some things you might want to keep on display: things like your book collection, vases and holiday souvenirs. For these pieces, floating shelves provide storage in otherwise dead space and without taking up the floor square footage that a bookshelf would.

Attached to the wall with sturdy pins, these shelves hang cleanly as there are no brackets to see. It’s a look that’s very popular with fans of minimalist style and is simple to keep clean with a quick wipe with a damp cloth.

They can be tricky to put up and you’ll likely need a second person to help, so rope in your partner or a friend. It’s also important to note the type of surface you’re working with; concrete walls will require rawl plugs while for those with standard plasterboard it’s best to drill straight into the vertical upright stud timbers behind the wall. DIY Doctor has an excellent guide if you’re planning to do the work yourself.

There are lots of styles of floating shelves with plenty of varying lengths to suit your home best. We’ve done the legwork and found some of the nicest options for your next DIY project.

See our favourite floating shelves below

Details are what make a house a home. Lift your humble shelf game by adding this mango wood design to your walls. It comes with a textured metal backing to add a subtle glimmer to your favourite room.

This chunky shelf feels practically indestructible, making it ideal for your home’s high traffic areas as well as gardens. The handcrafted look is perfect for showcasing your favourite bits and pieces.

For walls that’ll fade into the background and give your trinkets the limelight they deserve instead, look no further than this set of three 38cm shelves available at Amazon. Damp-proof and heat-resistant, the MDF wood shelves offer quick and easy storage that you can get up in minutes thanks to the included mounting accessories.

A unit that not only has space to hang coats, umbrellas and bags, but a shelf too for additional storage. How’s that for a smart design? The hanging bar means you can fold towels over it too, making it an option not only for your hallway but your bathroom too.

Available in white as well as black, this floating shelf unit comes with an integrated bulb holder - so it’s a lamp too! Multifunctional design at its best. There are two levels to display your favourite ornaments and homewares.

Just because you’re forgoing brackets doesn’t mean you can’t be fancy with your shelves. The rising sun look design from Habitat not only adds interest but also provides a backdrop for whatever you’re putting on the surface.

All bathrooms could do with extra storage options. This rustic-looking set of shelves allows you to display your favourite skincare products, candles and grooming essentials without hogging too much room. And there’s a removable towel holder too - genius!

Structural Steel Columns Its beauty lies in its simplicity. While others see a plain plank of wood, we see a world of decorating opportunities for practically every room of the house. Position it beside the bed to stand in as bedside tables in a super minimal way, or add it to a hallway wall for somewhere to put your keys. The white gloss means it’s easy to clean off dust.