If there's one place I can always do with a little extra room, it's on my nightstand. Add a lamp and a book, and suddenly you're out of space. Where do you put your glass of water, or the beautiful antique dish to hold your rings? By installing a mini floating shelf on the wall above it, of course.
The beauty of a mini floating shelf is that you can stylishly hang one wherever it is needed. Above a side table in the living room? By your bathroom vanity for extra counter space? Or perhaps next to your kitchen sink to hold a bar of soap? Plus, this clever shelving idea lends a helping hand without looking like an obvious storage trick — which is always a win in my book.
Australia-based interior designer and founder of A.mi, Anouska Milstein, says, "Visually, a mini floating shelf can provide a poetic way to create a moment of pause for one's eye moving across a space." Like art or lighting, it brings visual dynamics to a room.
Anouska adds, "We most often use them in our projects when we feel there is a particular activity we would like to encourage in the experience of that exact spot, as a way to elevate the ordinary, and to give a special sense of 'everything in its right place'."
Interior design is always better when the details are well-considered. So if you need a bit more room somewhere in your home, this is the interior design trend to have on your radar. To get you there, find six of my favorite styles to shop below.
Anouska Milstein is an Italian interior designer who is based in Australia. She founded A.mi, or Anouska Milstein Interiors, where she pursues her passion of creating interiors that tell stories and challenge expectations.
The mini floating shelf in this blue bathroom gives a neat and orderly space for the towels to live that still feel a touch whimsical.
These metal shelves come in a set of two, and in varying sizes, so you can set up a visual display that marries both form and function. I particularly like this style because it mimics the texture of stone, and the dark charcoal color feels timeless. Opting for a hard material like this with a natural look will pair beautifully in a bathroom or kitchen — somewhere that craves both style and cleanliness. There is also a white version if that's more your style.
This rattan mini floating shelf is the perfect way to easily revive your beside or entryway without making too big of a commitment. Once again, the natural material of this rattan home accessory will complement a range of interior styles and bring a grounded feel to the room. On the Matilda and Goad site, they show a martini glass resting on the shelf...I mean, need I say any more?
With the rise of Space Age interiors and playful industrial styles, I had to include a shelf that speaks to the minimalist at heart. What I love about this metal mini floating shelf is that the backplate creates a visual moment — making it feel like an art piece as well as a functional shelf. I could even see this as a clever way to create a foyer in an open living room. Call me crazy, but I'd also love to see it styled within a gallery wall. While I am partial to the black version, they also offer a pink terracotta — perfect for Spring.
What is better than one mini floating shelf? A set of three mini floating shelves. We all need a little color, and this stunning sage green style immediately caught my eye. You can either put this set together for an artistic moment or spread them around the room for added convenience. The shelves are a pop of color but won't feel like a distraction to the room. If you love the look but are not sold on all three, not to worry — you can buy the shelves individually, too.
These dark wooden mini floating shelves are what I would consider the classic way into this style. Something about the dark wood stain feels so refined and elegant, but the floating aspect brings the fun. Because it comes in a two-pack, you could even style these on either side of a bed or sofa as a floating nightstand in smaller spaces, rather than just an addition.
Burl wood decor is making a comeback in contemporary interiors, and I am totally obsessed with the look. The subtle swirled pattern of the wood adds that touch of uniqueness while still keeping the classic wood aesthetic. Because this piece is crafted by hand, no two pieces are exactly alike, even from what is shown in the image above.
There is some fun that can be had with the idea of a mini floating shelf, it doesn't always have to be incredibly purposeful. Sometimes it is more about curating a moment, like with this beverage shelf.
A custom perfume shelf to add to bathroom vanity ideas, or an extra bit of space for your living room side table — mini floating shelves are the perfect marriage of form and function.
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