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Stylish storage solutions at the ready.

Floating shelves are a buzzword in the design world for a good reason: They're easy to install yourself. In fact, they're probably the easiest way to instantly increase your storage capacity without having to buy a new piece of bulky furniture. They also work no matter how much wall space you have since they only really require vertical real estate. Aside from making sure everything you need is within reach, floating shelves also just look great. Not to mention, they introduce dimension to otherwise blank walls. Ahead, discover 12 floating wall shelf ideas and designer tips.

Floating shelves are a great addition to pretty much any room in the house, but they seem to be a favorite in kitchens in particular. This is because they make it easier to grab items while you cook and clean than enclosed cabinets would, and they also give you an extra perch to display decor in an otherwise task-centric room. In Justina Blakeney's kitchen, the earthy, laidback reclaimed wood floating shelves are enhanced by the glossy forest green tile backslash.

Create a cozy corner reading nook in your bedroom with a dark paint color, plush fabrics, emotive artwork, and of course, easy-to-reach books. In this bedroom designed by Arent & Pyke, the rows of floating shelves provide a home for the occupant's collection.

Whether your space has a customized niche or you want to reimagine an existing quirk, consider floating shelves your solution. They'll allow you to get some real practical use of an otherwise unused divot. Here, Emil Dervish made this space pop even more by giving the floating shelves a bright orange-red backdrop.

Just like you can play with various color, composition, and material options for your floating shelves, consider all your profile types. For example, a thicker shelf will be more assertive on the wall while thin floating shelves like these will be sleeker and allow the decorative items to take center stage.

Equal parts preppy and bohemian, contemporary and timeless, this kitchen by Anna Spiro Design is an eclectic dream. A lone floating shelf in line with the bottom of the hood is visually arresting and streamlined.

In a small powder room, a floating shelf will be a life-saver for essentials like washcloths, hand soap, candles, and tissues. Interior designer Gail Davis installed a simple glass shelf right under the mirror for a nice symmetrical display.

In smaller spaces, where a tulip table is all you can squeeze in, choose fun accent chairs and consider a built-in bench. A casual gallery wall or statement-making floating shelves displaying decor will spice things up without taking up any precious square footage. This breakfast nook designed by Arent & Pyke proves it.

Create a gallery wall with more depth by laying out a pattern with floating shelves instead of hanging framed artwork. In this living room designed by Alberto Villalobos, the offset composition and metallic material is enough of a statement, but you could also fill yours with decor and books to fill more of the negative space.

Floating shelves can be bold and over-the-top when decorated a certain way, but the emphasis on material and shape also makes them also a minimalists dream. In this space designed by Shapeless Studio, the wall-to-wall floating shelves for make for a neutral, linear, and clean display—almost gallery-esque, yet still approachable and grounded.

Two floating cubic shelves function as pedestals to prop up vases in this colorful dining room designed by Corey Damen Jenkins. This trick is perfect for a narrow wall in a dining room, hallway, or entry.

The floating shelves in this neutral-toned Scandinavian studio apartment blend in seamlessly with the white walls. Take inspiration from this space if you're working within a smaller scale space and want your floating shelves to disappear instead of distract.

Why settle for floating shelves when you can secure a floating cubby to the wall? In this living room, it strikes the balance between bohemian and polished.