Determine The Right Amount Of Space To Put Between Floating Shelves With Our Advice

A design go-to for many homeowners and interior designers, floating shelves can transform your space in the savviest of ways. Sleek and discreet, they are designed to take advantage of a wall's vertical space, while freeing up some much-needed square footage at the same time. Properly styling floating shelves guarantees a beautiful outcome, and they are wonderfully versatile around different parts of the home, serving as display cases, book shelves, pantry storage, bathroom shelves, or plant holders. They are also great storage workarounds for tight alcoves or awkward corners beneath stairs. But just like hanging a painting, there is an art to positioning and spacing floating shelves against your walls.

A floating shelf's starting point should be at eye level, with the standard height being four to five feet from the ground. If you're planning to install a shelf over a table or couch, make sure to place it 10 inches above its surface. For multiple floating shelves, well-measured vertical spacing results in a harmonious and uncluttered aesthetic. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the measurements between floating shelves can be anywhere within the range of 11 to 18 inches. Twelve inches is considered a safe and standard measurement. Remember that packing the shelves too closely together will make your room seem compact and cramped, and placing them too far apart will highlight its awkward visual proportions.

Ultimately, the space between floating shelves depends on your room's wall height, as well as the items you're planning to put on display. Once you've chosen the best style of floating shelf for your space, you can opt to stack similar-sized, evenly-spaced shelves to take full advantage of your wall's height, or create a staggered layout for a more dynamic and playful look.

If you're using the shelf as a decorative display, consider the biggest item you intend to showcase, then top it off with a few inches to determine the placement of the shelf above. The same goes for bookshelves: Adding a few inches to the height of your tallest book can help you judge the ideal spacing, keeping in mind that hardbound books, catalogs, and magazines are usually 14 inches in height. For the kitchen, place your first floating shelf 18 to 23 inches above your kitchen counter, and aim for 12 to 15 inches of vertical space between shelves. If you're planning on utilizing the space above your toilet by adding floating shelves, keep you toilet tank's lid accessible in case of emergency by installing your first shelf some 10 to 12 inches above it.