10 Floating Shelves That Hold (A Lot!) Of Weight

Floating shelves are in, and they’re trending in a big way. They are some of the fastest ways to give your home that sleek, modern look that fits perfectly in a penthouse suite. Though they’re super popular, most floating shelves don’t hold a lot of weight. This leads to people having their collections and books fall down with a bang. If you’re worried about this happening to you, we got good news: there are good options out there that hold a lot of weight.

There are several floating shelves that are known for having high weight capacities, most of which are made of metal. The best options on the market right now include:

There are a bunch of shelves on the market that claim to be sturdy, but prove themselves to be anything but. This guide will make sure that you get your money’s worth when you get that new storage you want.

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Yes and no. Floating shelves are sturdy, but the thing is, the term “sturdy” is relative. When it comes to being able to hand up shelving well, you can rest assured that a properly installed floating shelf won’t budge. In this sense of the word, you can expect your shelves to be sturdy.

But, when it comes to being able to carry weight, this isn’t exactly the best option. The truth is that floating shelves are not very good when it comes to large weights. While the ones we featured all hold upwards of 40 pounds, most floating shelves are meant to act as display cases rather than something for serious storage.

If you want hardcore storage, floating shelves are not a good idea. We suggest looking at bookcases or getting a chest of drawers. Those are designed for large amounts of weight.

It depends on the build and the bracket. Believe it or not, most floating shelves can’t carry much weight at all. A standard floating shelf can usually only carry between 15 to 30 pounds. The ones that we’re going to be looking at will be able to support far more when installed correctly, with the bare minimum load they can handle is 40 pounds.

While 40 pounds might not be much for a typical shelving unit, it’s important to remember that floating shelves aren’t usually meant to be able to bear large loads. Keeping that in mind, you should avoid placing very bulky items on your future shelves.

In each of the products that we listed, you will find a maximum weight load that was suggested by the manufacturers. It’s important to remember that these loads were tested out in labs and that most of the loads that are listed are expected to be the maximum if you hang your shelf up on at least one stud.

To get the very most out of your shelving, you need to hang up your floating shelf on at least one stud. If your shelf is over 17 inches in length, then you should consider using more than one stud in installation. This is the best way to ensure you get stability. If you try to hang shelving without a stud, you will most likely damage your drywall.

If you’re looking for a gorgeous rustic floating shelf, then you might like this one. LEOPO made theirs brackets from super-thick metal. They also come in large sets, so you can get a full shelf wall if you need them to. The brackets on these are what make them really heavy-duty. Each bracket holds up to 80 pounds, making the max load per shelf around 160.

2. Industrial Floating Shelf With Reclaimed Wood

Made with iron and real reclaimed wood, this kit’s structure means that it can handle way more than the typical floating shelf will. While they do not have the full specs online, we were able to ascertain that it’s far above the typical 15-pound limit you’ll find. It also comes in a kit, so you have everything you need to install it here.

This floating shelf looks pretty simple, because it is. Sometimes, simplicity is what works best. The heavy-duty reclaimed wood in this kit is what makes it work, along with sturdy shelving. You get a set of three, so you’ll be able to get all your storage meets met in a pinch. What’s not to love?

4. White Floating Shelves by Amada Home Furnishing

We’ll be honest: finding a modern-looking floating shelf that can store a high capacity isn’t easy. In fact, most of the ones we came across while searching hold up to 25 pounds, max. Some only hold 15. That’s why this pick was fairly impressive, even though it’s made of MDF board. It’s one of the only ones of its style to be capable of heavy-duty storage.

This is a really neat concept, and it uses Paulownia wood to make it happen. Paulownia is a wood that’s both exotic and known for being sturdy, which makes it a perfect match for this list. Like other kits, it comes with all the goods you need to hang up your shelving, including a free towel rack. It’s a set of two, so you should be good to go as far as bathroom shelving goes.

Looking for a shelf that can double as a fashion statement? Take a look at this number. We’re loving the gold ring accents, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The cool thing about this is that the structure of the shelving is amazing. It’s a little retro-futuristic but also works well as far as support goes.

This model is one that really emphasizes the floating aspect of floating shelves. Despite the lightweight vibe it gives, this actually happens to be one of the more rugged options that you can pick. The wood used to make these shelves is a whopping two inches thick, giving it a reinforced build that won’t break under pressure.

Technically, this is a floating shelf. And this is also one of the most heavy-duty floating shelves we were able to find on the market. This isn’t just a shelf, though. This is a full entertainment center console, and that means it’s designed to haul a lot of stuff. (Hello? Retro DVD collections?!) The weight load on this and the size alone make this as hefty as they get.

If you’re looking for an office or workplace shelf that still floats but offers a good, heavy-duty weight limit, this is it. This simple shelving unit is made entirely out of metal, which means it’s easy to clean and has an industrial look to it. While the metal is thin, it’s still stronger than quite a few other shelves on this list. It’s deceptively sturdy.

Related Questions

Can floating shelves hold books?

Absolutely, as long as you pick a shelf that is designed to bear an above-average load. Most floating shelves do not have the load capacity or the size to be good bookshelves. However, if your shelf can handle at least 25 pounds and has at least six inches of shelf space, you can absolutely use them to store your books. So, if you want a floating bookshelf, shopping with purpose is key.

Can you put a microwave on a floating shelf?

Though some sites might suggest putting a microwave on a floating shelf, the truth is that you will need to find a particularly strong (and deep) shelf for this use. Most of the floating shelves that are on the market will not be suitable for microwaves. Even if you are able to find one, you might not be able to find a stud to attach it to.Because of the issues that can arise from having a microwave drop off of a shelf, we don’t suggest it. It’s a little too risky.

Is MDF strong enough for shelves?

While it may not be as strong as teak or other hardwoods, MDF boards can be amazing for the right project. If you’re putting together shelving for light to medium loads, there is no reason why you can’t use MDF. This material might not be ideal, and it definitely won’t be an heirloom issue, but it is great for projects where you just need something that works.