Let’s face it; the weightier objects in your home are the hardest to deal with. Items that you dream of putting on display might end up stuck in a corner or tucked away for some other day because you don’t have a place to put them. Maybe you’d like to put metal décor on display, but know that ordinary bookcases and display cabinets may not withstand the weight. Perhaps your kitchen cabinets are too full to accommodate your bulkier kitchen items, even though there’s nowhere to put them. In these cases, one of the best options we can recommend is to install a floating shelf.
Not only are floating shelves incredibly functional, but they’re a stylish way to reduce clutter and add storage space. You can install them in corners, closets, and in any room of the house.
In this post, we’ve put together a list of the five best floating shelves to accommodate heavy objects, so no matter what you want to put on display, you’ll have yourself a shelf that you can work with. Keep in mind, some of these products don’t come with the boards, but we assure you that the brackets we recommend will get the job done right.
1. DIY CARTEL Industrial Forged Steel Floating Shelf
For installing a floating shelf that’s guaranteed to hold a heavy load, check out these brackets from DIY Cartel. DIY Cartel only makes their products from industrial grade iron or steel, which is what gives these brackets their immense strength, and crafts their products within the USA. The brackets have four holes already punched into the metal, so all you need to buy are the screws and mounting hardware, then you’re all set! These brackets fit a piece of wood around 11 inches long and 1.5-3 inches thick, while the brackets themselves are a little under 11 and a half inches long with a 6-inch base that you can mount into walls of various material.
The dark steel color and neat linear design of these brackets make them suitable for homes of all sorts of styles, from rustic to minimalist, farmhouse to modern, and more. They support a little over 60 pounds of weight and are perfect for any area of the house, indoors or out.
Product Features and Specifications
- 2 mount brackets included
- 3 Size Options
- Screws and mounting hardware not included
- Supports 60+ pounds
- 11 and 3/8 inches long
- 6-inch mounting base
- Made from industrial grade raw steel
User/Customer Impressions
Customers are generally impressed with the sturdiness of the brackets and the thickness of the steel. Users say that they look fantastic, are easy to install, and fit into any space they need. While some customers are unhappy that the product doesn’t come with mounting hardware or screws, the advertisement clearly states this, so those complaints are only a matter of not reading. Otherwise, buyers are happy with the quality of their purchase and attest to DIY Cartel’s customer service as incredibly friendly to boot.
Conclusion
For a pair of shelf-mounting brackets that work with any space, DIY Cartel’s brackets are a high-quality choice. The heavy-duty make gives a strong sense of security, and the minimalist design fits with any style of home for anyone to be able to install. The sheer quality of these brackets makes them more than worthy of their spot on this list.
2. Industrial Pipe Wall Shelf Mounting Brackets
DIY Cartel does it again with these pipe brackets (learn more) for supporting a floating shelf. These uniquely designed brackets are a tastefully attention-grabbing way to support a display, or merely a heavy-duty way to support a bar or kitchen counter. The pipes are made from raw black iron and can hold not just wood, but also heavier materials like granite and marble!
The pipes come disassembled, but it only takes a few minutes to put them together. There are four flanges, two for the wall and two for the shelf, two 6-inch pipes, four close pipes, and four elbows angled at 45 degrees. The angle sets the pipes at about nine inches from the wall, but we can assure that eight or ten-inch long pieces of wood will work too! The assembly can also be done with only one of the elbows for each pipe if you don’t necessarily want the angle, and longer pipes can be bought at any typical hardware store if you need to accommodate for longer boards.
Product Features and Specifications
- Includes 2 6-inch pipes, 4 flanges, 4 close pipes, and 4 45-degree elbows for assembly into 2 brackets
- 3 different size options
- Mounting hardware and screws not included
- Made from raw black malleable iron
- 1/2 inch diameter
- Angle best for 8, 9, or 10-inch long wood pieces
User/Customer Impressions
Buyers are quite satisfied with the look of these pipe mounts and agree that the quality is excellent. Customers share that the boards can hold a significant amount of weight and are easy to assemble.
Conclusion
For a floating shelf mount that stands out from the rest, DIY Cartel delivers with this pipe design. The superior quality, exceptional weight support, and rustic look make them a perfect contender for the best floating shelves. These are a purchase that’ll surely make you and your home alike very happy.
3. Solid Steel Heavy Duty Floating Shelf Bracket
Our next support bracket comes from Walnut Wood Works, with a hidden design. The bracket is made in the USA with raw American steel and can support between 100 and 150 pounds. Its invisible design makes it a space-saver and a fantastic storage addition to any area of the home.
You’ll have to use a 13/16″ drill bit to bore a couple of holes within your wooden piece, and you’ll have to purchase the screws yourself, but the installation process is relatively quick, and you can do it yourself. The bracket is about 1.5 inches high, which means the board should be 1.75 inches thick at the least. The bracket is also 23 inches wide and works well for a wood piece of 24 inches in width minimum. The beams extend 6.25 inches, which makes them the best fit for 7-inch boards at the shortest.
Product Features and Specifications
- 23″ wide, 1.5″ tall, 6.25″ support beams
- Made from raw cold rolled American steel
- 150-pound weight capacity
- Made in the USA
- Made to be hidden within the wood
User/Customer Impressions
Buyers are overall pleased and even comforted by the sheer strength of this bracket and how much weight it can support. Several recommend buying the drill kit guide to make the installation process even smoother, and give other buyers a tip that customer service is helpful. Users love the quality of the brackets and the snug fit, and they tell others just to make sure to be precise when making sure everything is level.
Conclusion
While this mount for a floating shelf may need a little extra attention to detail when installing, the effort is more than worth it. This bracket is an extremely sturdy option for a floating shelf that hides within the boards to give any floating shelf a clean look. For a product that you can count on for a weight-inclusive display, give this bracket a try.
4. DAKODA LOVE Rugged Distressed Floating Shelves
Now for a product that does come with support bracket and wood altogether. This floating shelf from DAKODA LOVE (shop now) is gorgeously hand-crafted from solid wood that’s prepped and finished right in the USA. The company offers a wide variety of textures and colors for their shelves, but this floating shelf in particular sports a distressed and rugged appearance to match with more rustic and farmhouse-style homes.
The shelf is 48 inches long, 8 inches deep, and 1.38 inches thick, mounted onto the wall with a hidden metal support bracket with three beams and numerous screw holes for a secure mounting. The shelf can hold up to 100 pounds of weight if properly installed, which is an easy task. The mounting hardware does come with this product, and you can even purchase it with an expert setup to have a professional install the shelf for you if you aren’t confident in doing the job on your own.
Product Features & Specifications
- 48″ long, 8″ deep, 1.38″ thick (5 different size options)
- Comes with 2 shelves
- 100-pound weight capacity
- Comes with brackets, wood, and mounting hardware
- American-made
- Installation by an expert is an option
- Handmade from biodegradable and recyclable solid wood
User/Customer Impressions
Buyers are blown away with the quality of the wood, from the sturdiness to the color to the feel. Customers have an easy time installing the shelves themselves and testify that the shelf is indeed incredibly heavy-duty. Users also admire the company’s well-meaning and polite customer service, as well as the time they put into hand-crafting their materials. Overall, there’s a lot of love for DAKODA LOVE.
Conclusion
This floating shelf is not only an aesthetically appealing and ultra-practical product but a product that its makers care about. From the high-quality wood to the excellent weight support, this is a floating shelf worth your money. If that isn’t enough to convince you, DAKODA LOVE also plants a tree for every unit you purchase.
5. DAKODA LOVE Butcher Block Floating Shelves
Our last floating shelf also comes from the fantastic DAKODA LOVE. Like the previous shelf on this list, this product comes with everything you need, brackets, wood pieces, mounting hardware, and all. Whether you choose to opt for the expert setup or not, this floating shelf is easy to install and similarly holds up to 100 pounds when mounted securely.
This floating shelf comes in two different color options – bourbon, and buckskin – works best with rustic spaces, and gives off a warmer industrial type of appearance. With its hidden support, it mounts snug onto the wall and looks far lighter than it is.
Product Features and Specifications
- 48″ long, 8″ deep, 1.38″ thick
- Comes with 2 shelves
- 100pound weight capacity
- Comes with brackets, wood, and mounting hardware
- Comes in 2 color options
- Installation by an expert is an option
- Handmade from biodegradable and recyclable solid wood
User/Customer Impressions
Customers are astonished by the quality and finish of the wood and are happy with the sturdiness the shelves provide. Buyers appreciate the included mounting hardware and state that these shelves are a breeze to install on their own. According to my friends, these shelves are beautiful, well-made, and worth the purchase.
Conclusion
This floating shelf provides a heavy-duty support system for any storage or display. The wood is beautifully hand-crafted to add visual appeal to your space, and you’ll come away happy with how easy it is to install in your home. A great shelf from a great company, indeed.
Related Questions
How I Make Sure My Floating Shelf is Level?
To make sure that you’re installing level brackets and shelves, you’ll want to use a leveler and make sure you’re marking where you’ll be placing your screws. Place the first bracket on the wall and use the leveler to make sure that it’s completely vertical, then mark the screw holes with a pencil. You’ll do this with the second bracket as well, if you have two separate ones, and use a tape measure or your leveler to make sure the two lines up precisely. Use the leveler to do another check after you’ve installed the shelf, just in case.
Am I Required to Attach a Floating Shelf to a Wall Stud?
You are not required to install a shelf above a wall stud. While attaching a floating shelf to a wall stud is ideal because you won’t need any wall anchors, you can install floating shelves in just about any kind of wall. Drywall, plaster, and even brick walls are viable surfaces for installing a floating shelf with the assistance of wall anchors.
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