Floating Shelves

Why choose solid wood?

A floating shelf carries daily load — books, kitchen jars, plates, ornaments — and does it visibly, without the visual support of brackets. The shelf itself is doing the work, and the material matters. Most mass-produced floating shelves are built on an MDF core with a thin oak or pine veneer: they look like solid wood but the structural core is compressed board. Under load, MDF creeps over time — particularly on longer spans — and the veneer surface lifts and chips at the edges where it's most exposed.

Solid oak and solid pine behave differently. The timber is the same material from surface to back — there's no core and facing working against each other. A solid oak shelf on a 100cm span will hold its shape under load in a way that a veneered shelf won't match over the same period. Our floating shelves are solid throughout: when you cut across the end grain, it's the same timber all the way through. The weight capacity depends on the fixing and the wall type, not on the shelf material degrading.

Solid wood also ages rather than wearing out. Oak darkens and develops patina with light exposure; pine knots deepen in colour. The shelf that looks well-used in 10 years is the same shelf — it hasn't peeled or chipped, it's just acquired some history.

Types of floating shelves

The collection covers four main formats, each suited to different rooms and uses.

Oak floating shelves: Dense, fine-grained and warm-toned. Available in heritage oak and walnut finishes that bring out the natural grain. Solid throughout — no MDF core. Oak takes load well and holds its shape across longer spans, which makes it the better choice for kitchen shelves carrying jars, crockery and heavier everyday items. The grain, knots and colour variation on each shelf are unique to that piece. Available individually or as a matching pair of two.

Rustic pine floating shelves: Finished in light, medium or dark wax. Pine shows more pronounced knots and grain movement than oak — the natural character of the timber rather than a uniform surface. Rustic pine suits farmhouse kitchens, cottage interiors and traditional living rooms where natural wood character is the point. Available individually or as a matching pair.

Alcove floating shelves: The recesses on either side of a chimney breast are one of the most common locations for floating shelves — and one of the hardest to size with standard products. Our shelves are made to order, so bespoke lengths for non-standard alcove widths are straightforward: 100cm, 115cm, 143cm — whatever your recess measures. Get in touch with your dimensions and we'll confirm pricing before you order.

Mini and small floating shelves: Our compact oak ledge starts at smaller proportions — built for plants, candles and small ornaments where a full-length shelf would dominate the wall. Works particularly well in bathrooms, bedrooms and narrow kitchen walls. All standard sizes are listed in the collection; bespoke dimensions available on request.

How to choose the right floating shelf for your space

Length is the starting point. For a kitchen or living room wall, measure the space you have and consider what you're putting on it — a single 120cm shelf carrying books reads differently to three 60cm shelves staggered at different heights. For alcoves, measure the width of the recess and allow 1–2cm clearance on each side so the shelf doesn't look jammed in.

Depth affects both how much the shelf holds and how much it projects into the room. Our shelves are available in standard depths from around 15cm to 25cm. A 15cm shelf suits plants, small ornaments and books stood upright; 20–25cm gives enough depth for kitchen storage — jars, plates and larger items. In a narrow room or hallway, a shallower shelf creates less of an obstacle.

Thickness matters for span. On longer lengths (over 90cm), a thicker shelf holds its shape under load better than a thin one. Our oak shelves in particular are built to carry weight across longer spans without bowing. If you're stacking heavy items, go for oak over pine and go thicker rather than thinner.

Wall type affects the fixing, not the shelf. Our shelves come with fixings for standard solid masonry walls (brick or block). If you're fixing into timber studs or plasterboard, the fixings are different — the shelf itself is the same, but you'll need to locate studs accurately or use appropriate cavity fixings. If you're unsure about your wall type, get in touch before ordering.

Floating shelves handmade in Yorkshire

Every shelf is handmade in our Hollywell Green, Halifax workshop from FSC-certified solid oak or pine — timber sourced from sustainably managed forests. Lead time is 3–5 days. Fixings are included with every order for standard solid wall installations. All pieces carry a lifetime structural guarantee: if a joint or fixing point fails under normal use, we'll repair or replace it.

Bespoke lengths are available across the range — if standard sizes don't match your alcove or wall, get in touch with your measurements before ordering. Made-to-order shelves carry the same 3–5 day lead time as standard pieces.

Related collections

• Bracket shelves — solid wood shelves with visible brackets, for heavier loads and an industrial or farmhouse look
• Corner shelves — solid wood corner storage for alcoves and unused corner space
• All wooden shelving — full wall shelf range including floating, bracket and bathroom shelves
• Solid oak mantel beams — oak and pine beams for fireplaces and log burners