21+ Creative Ways To Use Floating Shelves

The best investment I’ve ever made in my home is switching to floating shelves.

They have this sleek, casual, and simple allure that gives any space a modern aesthetic. 

It’s a quick and simple way to revamp any room in your home and can be used to showcase your favorite artworks, collectibles, and decorations.

However, don’t let these wooden planks fool you. They’re not just for eye candy. 

Floating shelves are an exceptionally functional and practical storage solution.  

Be it the kitchen, bathroom, living room, or even the hallway, floating floating shelves can be a valuable feature. 

If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, I’d love to share with you the most creative ways to use floating shelves and incorporate them into your home. 

As you go through this list, you’ll find many surprising options that will get you excited to use them. 

Let’s start. 

Brilliant Uses For Floating Shelves In Your Home

1. Create A Functional Kitchen Space

Floating shelves in a kitchen is an awesome tool that is both practical and visually appealing. 

It can be used to display decorative accessories that give your kitchen character and interest or as simply extra storage space for your essentials: pots, pans, utensils, cutting boards, cookbooks, and other kitchenware.

Floating shelves are available in various colors and sizes.

Grab a few clear shelves to store and arrange spices and condiments in a neat and organized way.

I personally find this a very important feature in my space.

Certain kitchenware such as pots, pans, and utensils should be easily accessible, so I can just grab what I need and get cracking.

However, I know from experience that leaving spices, pans, and utensils on the counters tends to look messy and unorganized.

This drives me nuts every time I see them pile up on the counter and I’m sure you probably can relate to this.

That’s why, using the floating shelves as a designated place for spices, pans, pots, places, etc. just makes things easier.

This also gives the kitchen decor an overall boost in terms of aesthetics.

However, the main advantage is the convenience it provides as things are within reach whenever you need them.

Best places to put floating shelves in a kitchen:

Above the countertop
Empty corner of the wall
Between upper cabinets
Above the sink
Next to a coffee bar
Around a kitchen island
Above the range hood

Another reason why I love this idea so much is because you get to keep things well coordinated and organized. 

You can finally cut back on that kitchen counter clutter and keep your space clean!

2. Store Your Bathroom Essentials

Following up with the previous idea, floating shelves can be used to organize and store bathroom essentials such as toiletries, towels, and decorative pieces.

To decorate the shelves, include small cute pot plants and other greenery.

This adds a pop of color and a natural vibe to your bathroom.

Take a look at the bathroom below. The way the shelves are used is to perfection.

Glass jars are also a great item for storing bathroom essentials such as bath bombs or soaps but in a more aesthetic way. 

Use woven baskets or decorative baskets to store large items such as hand towels or extras without overcrowding the shelf space. 

Rachel over at Shades of Blue Interiors manages to perfectly capture this idea.

She installed 3 layers of floating shelves on her bathroom walls and decorated them with a variety of woven baskets in different sizes on each shelf for extra visual interest.

Best spots to put shelves in a bathroom: 

Above the toilet
Next to the vanity mirror
Inside the shower or bathtub
Above the towel rack
Near the sink
In a niche or alcove

Another way to use a floating shelf is to install it inside your bathroom shower.

I’ve recently installed a floating shelf in my bathroom to hold the bath soap and it works great.

We used granite for a more fancy detail but a wooden floating shelf is a great option too.

3. Elevate Your Entryway

The first place you usually see when you enter a home is the entryway. 

Use floating shelves to store and arrange your shoes in a neat and accessible way.

This prevents shoe clutter that could potentially destroy the first impression of your home. 

Alternatively, install a floating shelf on the walls to add a decorative feature to the space.

You could also go with a shelf that has hooks to hang your coat, keys, or bag.

4. Optimize Your Home Office

Give your home office some character and organization with floating shelves.

The larger ones can be used to organize, store, and manage household paperwork or office files and supplies. 

To decorate the space further, display accessories, artwork, or inspirational quotes on the shelves.

Alternatively, why not build a custom floating shelf to use as a desk?

I’ve always struggled with back problems and finding the right chair and desk can be a mission.

Unfortunately, it’s really hard to find one that feels just right.

I came across this really cool idea on YouTube from DIY Creators on how to mount a granite floating shelf to use as a desk.

It’s a smart, effective, and functional project that looks professional and great for small spaces as well.

5. Organize Your Bookshelf

Use your floating shelves to display your love for books. 

I’m a huge bookworm and avid reader and you know what this means: an ever-growing pile of novels waiting to be read.

You kind of have no choice but to get creative and figure out ways to keep up with the collection especially when they’re just sitting ducks, lining up in every corner of the room. 

For small or large spaces, this works better than a traditional bulky bookshelf that takes up more space than necessary. 

I find that floating shelves are a great way to section, organize, and categorize your books. 

Also, organizing by color, size, or genre creates an even better visual arrangement. 

Overall, for a bedroom or a living room to showcase your love for books, floating shelves are the solution you need. 

6. Create A Winning Wall Gallery

You can create a stunning and attractive wall gallery of your best artworks using floating shelves. 

This looks amazing in a living room to display your favorite collections, personal photos, and interesting collectibles or sculptures. 

It’s a great way to give your space a refreshing new dose of personality and character while keeping things interesting.

Honestly, this is one of my top ways to use floating shelves on a wall.

7. Maximize The Entertainment Center

Install a few floating shelves above your television or below. You could use this to store your equipment, supplies, and accessories or simply add a few accessories that will give more interest to the space. 

8. Showcase Your Plants

Create a lovely indoor garden using floating shelves to display and store plants. 

Whether it’s to display herb containers or cute succulents, floating shelves are simply amazing.

This creates a cool wall feature but also solves the problem of limited floor space or simply prevents pets from getting into your herbs and plants. 

You can also bring a touch of nature into your space that will appear more friendly and inviting.

9. Improve Your Toy Storage

Ever struggle with keeping the kid’s toys under control? Well, happens to all of us. 

You can make use of floating shelves to organize and store toys in a neat way that looks visually appealing but also encourages the kids to pick up after themselves. 

Use colorful bins or baskets to store multiple toys and categorize them so that’s easy to know where things are and for the kids to be attracted to the process as well. 

Having a toy display as such will add a creative, fun, and playful feature to the space and your kids will love it even more.

10. Showcase Your Prized Collectibles

I mentioned this earlier but it’s worth repeating. Collectible items look incredible displayed on a floating shelf. 

Whether it’s vintage items, action figures, pot plants, or artwork, you can arrange your prized possessions in a cool, stylish, and engaging way. 

This display is a great conversation starter for anyone who visits your home as this small feature says a lot about who you are and what you enjoy. 

There’s no better way to add personality and character to a home than showcasing things you love. 

11. Level Up Your Vanity 

Need extra storage space near your vanity? Then floating shelves might be exactly what you’re looking for. 

You can install these shelves just above your vanity to store your makeup, nail polish, accessories, and jewelry, or to simply decorate with a few fun trinkets. 

This wall feature will also add a stylish, elegant, and sophisticated detail to your space.

12. Create A Functional Pet Station

Create a section in your kitchen to store your pet food, treats, and toys with these floating shelves. 

It keeps things nicely organized and ready to go whenever you need to feed those furry babies. 

If you have packs of treats, invest in colored or clear jar containers to organize and store them as this will enhance the overall aesthetic of the display. 

I personally love these clear trays from Amazon but you can use whatever you like.

13. Design A Trophy Shelf

Another great way to use floating shelves is to display your achievements and awards on the shelves.

You should be proud of everything you’ve worked for and achieved. This reminder will help boost your confidence and motivate you further.

Install these floating shelves in the best location so that these awards, medals, and certificates are highlighted and showcased in all their glory.

14. Show off Your Vinyl Record Collection

Love vinyls? Show off your awesome collection by displaying them on the floating shelves. 

This would make a stunning statement piece in your home. 

Line them up against the wall and leave enough space in between if you’re going to have a second shelf. 

However, to avoid damage and minimize the risk of falling, secure the collection to the wall or shelf with extra care.

15. Beautify The Mantel /Fireplace

Add floating shelves above the mantel to display and showcase family photos or simply spruce it up with seasonal ornaments. 

If you really want a visual impact, a single thick wooden floating shelf is all you need.

This will create a cool focal point that highlights the fireplace or mantel. 

You could also mount the floating shelves next to the mantel or fireplace. 

This way, you can keep the center for an oversized painting or family photos but still make sure both sides of the fireplace still appear interesting. 

Read also: How To Cover Shelves Without Doors: 12 Ideas That Work

16. Create An Aesthetic Window Display

Installing floating shelves above or below windows and lining them with pot plants or ornaments will be an incredible visual element for the space.

This will naturally make the space appear more interesting and alive.

This idea goes really well for kitchen spaces or your living room as shown above!

17. Organize Your Shoe Display

Showcase and display your shoes and treat them like a designer store. 

If you have a walk-in closet or an empty wall you can use, this idea will keep your shoes organized, making it really easy to find the pair you’re looking for whenever needed. 

It can also keep your shoes in good condition for longer since they won’t be stuffed into one pile back in the closet. 

18. Enhance The Sofa Decor

A smart way to decorate an empty wall above the sofa is with floating shelves. 

This creates an attractive focal point in the room that will have your eyes bouncing between the sofa and the display on the shelf, taking in the beautiful display. 

It’s also a great way to fill empty spaces!

19. Create A Hidden Desk 

You can use built-in floating shelves to create a non-intrusive desk space in your home that naturally flows with the rest of the space using the same wall color.

It can be both a decorative feature and a functional space. 

20. Float Your Nightstand

Shelves are a great accessory to have in any bedroom but you could also consider having a floating nightstand shelf right next to your bed. 

This saves on floor space and adds a new, innovative, and modern design to your space. 

I really love this bedside table/nightstand from Design by Fatema.

It’s totally my style as the design is unique, modern, and trendy and this ticks the boxes for achieving a cool floating shelf display.

Complete the display by pairing the nightstand with the essentials such as a lampshade, a notebook, and an ornament. 

21. Get Crafty With Craft Supplies

Floating shelves can also be used to organize and display your pretty craft supplies such as wool and knitting supplies, papers, fabrics, and other interesting hobby stuff. 

This keeps the supplies in order but also decorates the space accordingly. 

Additional Ways To Use Floating Shelves

So I didn’t want to leave with just a limited number of ideas.

I’ve come across plenty of ideas but here are a few more that I highly recommend you use in your home:

Conclusion

There you have it.

There are so many different ways to use floating shelves in your home. 

In fact, there are smart and innovative ways to incorporate them into every single room.

This gives you a great opportunity to design a space that is interesting, functional, and in keeping with the latest design trends.

However, don’t go adding a shelf to every room just yet. Pick the area that needs the most attention and start off front here.

You can always customize and decorate the shelves as you go and this should level up and enhance the overall space.