Floating Shelf Kitchen Ideas

What is a floating shelf?

With a floating shelf, all you see is the shelf itself. It has no visible wall fixings or supports such as a wall bracket or wall rack to hold the shelf in place.

Occasionally a floating shelf rests on a slim L-shaped bracket to mount it to the wall. However, a true floating shelf is usually attached to the wall using special floating shelf brackets. 

You slide your shelf onto the bracket like a hand in a glove so that the entire bracket is hidden inside the body of the shelf.

To maintain the minimalist aesthetic, lighting fixtures are usually fitted flush with the shelf.

LEDs are a popular option for floating shelves. They’re usually fitted within a recess in the shelf and the wires are hidden within the shelf and run back into the wall through the bracket to keep them out of sight. You can even buy an LED floating shelf light with this mechanism already in place.

How to style floating shelves

Their elegance and simplicity makes them a versatile shelving option, which can be easily blended with a large variety of kitchen styles and spaces.

Where to put a floating shelf

Floating shelves can, of course, be used anywhere you need additional storage that isn’t too heavy. However, they are an inspired choice for complicated kitchen angles and narrow or awkward spaces.

Explore how floating shelves offer the perfect solution for these challenging kitchen areas.

Pantries 

Pantry areas come in a range of sizes and shapes but floating shelves can be customised to exactly their dimensions to maximise the shelving space between tight corners and sloping ceilings.

Kitchen corners

Rather than tackle awkward corners with bespoke kitchen cabinetry, you can add a single or multiple tiers of open storage with a corner floating shelf.

These open shelves wrap around an internal angled wall or fit along two perpendicular walls and meet in the corner.

Alcoves 

Without tailored floating shelves, the individuality and curvature of an alcove would make it difficult to find a suitable standard storage option. 

Floating shelves not only adjust to the style of your alcove space but these open shelving options also create a focal point of our alcove feature.

Either side of windows and between cabinets

If you have a dead space adjacent to your kitchen windows or where your overhead kitchen cabinets finish, this could be an ideal spot for storage or display items.

Floating shelves can be incorporated seamlessly into most kitchen aesthetics and look just as good mounted to kitchen tiles as they do walls, and running right up against adjacent cabinets.

Above the sink

Unless your sink faces a window, you’ll usually find yourself opposite only the kitchen splashback. Floating shelves are great for improving the view with personal touches like plants and pictures. 

Alternatively, you can use these shelves for more functional purposes like storing tea towels and washing utensils and products.

Materials for floating shelves

For such a simple fixture, the variety of material options for floating shelves might surprise you - from a variety of wood options to sleek glass and industrial concrete.

Wood 

Thick, natural wood floating shelves are a popular choice for tiled kitchen walls. It’s hard to beat the natural beauty of solid oak, the deep hue and elegant grain of walnut, or the fresh and contemporary feel of light-coloured pine.

Reclaimed wood and timber is naturally characterful, and gives you the option of creating affordable feature shelves, especially if using smaller offcuts as a focal point. 

MDF is also a good option if you’re looking for good value for money. It’s easy to install and more readily available in a variety of styles and thicknesses. In particular, skinny MDF shelving in its natural hue or painted in bright matt colours can look especially modern and artistic.

White floating shelves look stylish against white, pastel and statement colour walls. These are made of white laminated wood, which is great for the kitchen as it’s durable and easy to clean.

Metal

Aluminium for industrial urban designs and stainless steel for the commercial kitchen look, they’re durable and more resistant to moisture and humidity. This means they’re less susceptible to staining, warping and general damage than wood options.

Tempered glass

Glass shelves convey a lightweight appearance, ideal for delicate kitchenware and ornamental displays. They also allow light to continuously flow through the shelving area, perfect for opening up the space with natural light or making creative use of artificial lighting displays.

Concrete

An extreme statement, a concrete floating shelf defies belief. It’s also the last word in industrial design for the home. Reinforced walls, stud wall support and expert design and installation are essential. 

A more affordable option such as cement coating to hardwood shelves is available, however, it’s usually the case that concrete shelves are used to match countertops or other bigger installations faithfully.

What to display on a floating shelf

• Salt and pepper shakers, vinegar, oils and other frequently used items best kept within reach
• Spice jars, particularly those in stylish matching containers
• Coffee station essentials like small cups, sachets, stirrers and coffee pods
• Cookbooks, which often come in bright colours and a variety of shapes for visual interest
• Lightweight metallic cookware to catch the eye through reflection and shine
• Plants, pictures and decorative ceramics for a personal touch.