Floating shelves are some of the most functional and aesthetically pleasing first apartment upgrades, but what are they and how do you use them? Read on to learn about where to use floating shelves in your first apartment and how you can install them easily.
What are floating shelves?
Floating shelves are a type of shelves in which the mounting brackets are hidden inside the shelf board. These shelves don’t have any visible hardware, which gives them the illusion of floating. Floating shelves are perfect for contemporary or minimalist decorating styles.
How do you use floating shelves in your first apartment?
While there’s nothing quite magical about floating shelves, they can add a sleek, minimalist aesthetic to your apartment. Floating shelves aren’t necessary for closets or other spaces out of sight, but they can be a worthwhile addition if you have decorations or other items you want to keep neatly organized in a visible area.
Since floating shelves take up less vertical wall space than shelves with brackets, they’re best used when you want to hang several shelves in the same space.
How much do floating shelves cost?
When purchasing floating shelves, it’s common to see them for between $40 and $100 per shelf, depending on the brand and type of wood. If you buy several shelves, they can be cheaper, and they can often be found in a pack of two or three for less than $100.
As a first-time renter, there’s a good chance you don’t have a huge budget for decorations, and especially if you want several floating shelves, it may seem like too expensive of an option. Luckily, it’s not too difficult to make DIY floating shelves with the same aesthetic for a fraction of the price. You can also find floating shelf hardware at many hardware stores to turn any wood board into a floating shelf.
How do you install floating shelves?
There are several different mechanisms used to hang different types of floating shelves, so installation will depend on your specific shelves. One common method, however, is a floating shelf bracket. These brackets will have a long pin or rod that sticks out from the wall to go through a hole in the shelf.
To hang floating shelf brackets, first drill holes in the wall the correct distance apart, making sure they’re level with the floor. Screw the brackets in place, and simply slide the shelf onto the brackets through the holes on the ends.
Another way to hang a floating shelf is by using figure eight fasteners. These will show a little bit at the top of the shelf but are an inexpensive way to hang a floating shelf with any board you want. A figure eight fastener looks similar to two washers stuck together to make an eight. To install your floating shelf, simply drill a hole in the shelf and screw on one side of the fastener. Hang the other side of the fastener on the wall, again making sure the shelf is level.
