Floating Shelves

Shelving FAQ's

How much do your floating shelves cost? There are several variables that will affect pricing: shelf style, lumber type, number of shelves, installation, etc. Roughly, smaller shelves in Knotty Alder start around $200 and larger ones can run $300-500+. Installation costs will vary on the number of shelves and the wall material. I'm happy to provide quotes by email or txt - just shoot me a message to get started.

Are your shelves solid? I offer both solid and hollow options for my shelves. Depending on the aesthetic you want to achieve, and the number of studs available, one may be better suited than the other - sometimes both are used in the same installation if there is a tricky spot. For solid shelves, I use a heavy duty metal bracket with rods drilled into the wood and hollow shelves use a thick, custom hardwood bracket that is more flexible to adjust during installation.

How sturdy are the shelves? There are several variables that will affect the real world number, but my smaller shelves can hold a minimum of 60+ pounds and larger shelves can hold much more, depending on the shelf spec. These shelves are not merely for decorative purposes but engineered to hold a substantial amount of weight.

How do you mount floating shelves? Installation is part of all my shelf projects - I do not offer self installed shelves. All shelves must be anchored into 2 studs. My floating shelves can be installed over stone and tile walls as well. If you are building or remodeling and plan on doing masonry or tile work, it is best to contact me before any work gets started so that I can measure the existing studs (or be sure to take photos of the wall studs during demo stage) - sometimes, additional bracing may be needed. Floating shelves are generally the last thing to get installed - over the TOP of tile or masonry.

What about installing in a niche (recessed area)? Niches are never very square, making it difficult to get a perfect fit with a stained product (painted shelves simply get caulked). Typically, I make shelves 1.5" away from the wall, so there is an intentional space. It is possible to attach shelves to the wall without trim, as seen in this photo, but there will be some small gaps around the edges. A deeper shelf (16"-24"+) is also possible when anchoring to side walls.

What about shelf brackets? The most common problem with any type of bracket is that the studs don't line up with where you want to put your shelf! You might get a longer (or shorter) shelf to make it work on an open wall, but that doesn't always match up with the design plan. For those that really like the look of rustic brackets, I have options to add them to the floating shelves just for appearance.