Floating Shelf Brackets

Floating Shelf Brackets are designed to suspend a shelf slab, counter, or mantel on the wall without visible mounting hardware. The nature and typical use of this kind of shelving require that these brackets be made of heavy-duty materials. Whether you are looking to display your retro Encyclopedia set, bowling trophies, or… whatever… Shelfology’s got you covered! Our world-famous floating shelf brackets are the stuff of legends: made with solid steel, our contractor-grade floating shelf hardware is easy to install and built to last. 

Installation: These heavy-duty brackets are designed to be installed into the studs or masonry on your wall to secure everything into place. Rest assured: our brackets will hold up just about whatever you put on em’ and will never let you down. There’s a very good reason Shelfology’s floating shelf brackets are the trusted, professional choice of DIY’ers and contractors alike nationwide since 2013! Shop our selection of floating shelf brackets today! 

Floating Shelf Bracket FAQ:

How much weight can a floating shelf hold?

A properly installed Shelfology floating shelf can support 45-50 pounds for each wall stud it's attached to. This means that a 3-foot shelf secured to two wall studs can safely hold up to 100 pounds! Similarly, a 2-foot shelf with two wall stud attachments can handle the same weight. Here's the key takeaway: the number of wall studs your floating shelf is attached to is the most crucial factor in determining its weight capacity. The more secure the attachment, the more weight it can hold.

How do you prevent a sagging floating shelf? 

The most important factors in preventing a sagging floating shelf is 1) a quality floating shelf bracket, 2) a solid hardwood floating shelf slab, and 3) proper shelf installation. If you don’t tick all three of these boxes you’re setting yourself up to fail. Also look for a floating shelf bracket that allows you to attach to as many wall studs or solid attachment points as possible. Your best bet is to start with high-quality materials, like our contractor-grade floating shelf brackets.

How much weight can a floating bookshelf hold?

A quality floating shelf that has been properly installed can support 40–50 pounds per attachment point. So, a floating shelf attached to 2 or 3 wall studs can easily support 120–150 lbs and could therefore hold up even the choicest of libraries. Our Aksel HD floating shelf bracket can float out to 12” deep (bookcases are standard 10” depth) and have 50lbs of weight capacity per rod, making it a great choice for a big book collection.

What makes a quality floating shelf bracket?

Opt for heavy-duty, solid brackets that are nearly as wide as your desired shelf. Look for brackets that incorporate multiple horizontal support rods, increasing in number as the bracket length grows. At Shelfology, we recommend our Aksel line of premium floating shelf brackets. Crafted from solid 1/4-inch American hot rolled steel, these brackets boast recessed support rods for exceptional strength and integrity. Unlike conventional brackets with front-facing welds, our Aksel line features 360-degree welds at the rear, eliminating potential weak points and ensuring maximum durability. Only settle for a tried and true heavy-duty bracket if you want to build floating shelves that will stand the test of time.

What are your floating shelf brackets made from? 

Each of our floating shelf brackets is made from Industrial-Grade A36 Hot Rolled Steel. In Layman’s Terms? Our hardware ain’t for slackers. Installed correctly, each bracket 2.0 has an average load capacity of 45-50 lbs per rod and will never sag, bend, or slant.

How do you install floating shelves?

At Shelfology, we stand behind the exceptional durability of our floating shelves. Never attempt to install our shelves using only wall anchors. The weight of the shelf and bracket, combined with the leverage exerted, will pull the anchors right out of the wall, leaving you with a sagging shelf and a potential safety hazard. For secure and reliable installation, always use a high-quality floating shelf bracket and attach them to at least one wall stud. Ideally, secure your brackets to two or more studs for maximum stability. For the most secure installation, consider using wall blocking or seeking professional assistance. Once your brackets are securely in place, simply slide on your Shelfology floating shelf and attach it firmly. Enjoy the seamless, elegant design and enduring strength that only Shelfology can deliver.

More info:

• Meet Aksel Hollow Core Floating Shelf Bracket!
• Floating Shelf Depth Guide
• Are Floating Shelves Strong Enough to Hold Up a Library of Books?
• How to Fix (or Prevent!) a Sagging Floating Shelf
• Floating Shelves 101: How to Install Your Floating Shelves Like a Boss