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What Type of Wood is Used For Floating Shelves? – Explore with Us

Do you have a square room or do you lack space in your room to keep your belongings? Then floating shelves are perfect for you to adjust. 

Floating shelves can be a wonderful design according to your room structure. But the question that arises is what type of wood is used for floating shelves?

We have created a full guide on the categories of wood that will suit your house or room. Stick to the end for detailed knowledge.

What is Floating Shelves?

A floating shelf is a type of shelf that is mounted on the wall to use as a self bored to keep your belongings. You can attach this shelf to the walls using either screws or rods.

Floating shelves are basically designed to decorate the house and all your rooms specifically so that the room does not remain clumsy. They can be used to increase storage capacity, as storage on top of a radiator, or as a console table inside a hallway.

Usually, the shelf has two channels, but sometimes, with different designs, it has more than two channels where they can hold belongings like photo show pieces, books, etc.

Floating shelves have clear, modern lines and are simple yet stylish. Floating shelves can be made from a variety of materials, including maple, teak, glass, and MDF, to suit any design or storage requirement.

Why Use Wood for Making Floating Shelves?

Woods are considered to be a decent material to build floating shelves. As shelves enhance your surroundings with beauty, you should choose the best materials to build them.

The heavier the items being stored on the shelf, the more durable the base of the shelf needs to be. Wire shelving and solid wood shelving are two of the most common types that you’ll find in stores. On a shelf made of solid wood, shelves for lighter objects will work just fine.

Hand-crafted solid wood shelves, on the other hand, are not only durable but also have an enduringly classic appearance, in contrast to shelves made from mass-produced MDF or wire. Well, choosing wood can bring you many benefits in your everyday life.

Note: Check out my list of the top 10 types of wood for floating shelves, which can be found here.

Benefits to Use Wood as Shelves Material

  • It is something that cannot be duplicated in any way. The addition of rustic wooden shelving to a space adds a lot of personality to the space.
  • Products made out of wood that is handcrafted and of high quality will, without a shadow of a doubt, stand the test of time. Because wood is so adaptable, you can rest assured that even after ten or more years, it will continue to have an excellent appearance.
  • The fact that wooden shelving is an entirely sustainable product is an additional advantage of using it. Because it is a natural product, it can be recycled and reused after it has been processed.

Note: Make it appear that your shelves are floating against the wall . Click here for best floating shelf anchors

Types of Wood Used for Floating Shelves

Selecting quality wood is very important for building your shelf. As you need to put your precious things on your shelf, it enhances your room, so it is better to use good materials. 

There are many types of wood that are used for building shelves. But you have to choose the perfect one to get desirable and long-lasting results. Now, let’s move on to the types of wood you would need to build your shelf.

Pine Wood

Pine, also known as “knotty pine,” is a type of wood that can be used for flooring despite the fact that it is naturally softer than other types of wood and can appear almost white or pale yellow in color.

Koa

You should think about using Koa wood for your shelves if you want something that will last for a very long time. This type of wood is widely regarded as the most difficult to work with among those that are available for purchase. Despite this, koa is incredibly lightweight and possesses stunning shellac qualities.

Plywood

People who are interested in making their own shelves have a number of good options available to them, one of which is plywood. This manufactured wood is offered in a variety of grades, each of which characterizes the surface in terms of its smoothness as well as the presence (or absence) of knots. 

Polar Wood

The nearly white color of poplar, which often has green or black streaks, is one of the reasons it is so popular. It is the ideal wood for keeping costs low for painted shelves because it accepts stains smoothly and is easy to work with.

Alder Wood

The natural color of alder ranges from a light pink to a light tan, and the grain is smooth and creamy. It takes stains extraordinarily well. In our retail establishment, you’ll find both rustic and superior alder available for purchase. 

Oak Wood

The undertone of red oak is slightly pink, whereas the undertone of white oak is much lighter and more of a creamy tan. This is one of the minor differences between red oak and white oak. 

Red Oak

One alternative type of wood that is frequently used for shelving is red oak. The red oak that is used for building is not only strong but also simple to work with.

Cherry Wood

Cherry has a smooth finish and a warm, rich appearance, which darkens over time with exposure to air and sunlight. Cherry’s finish is also very resistant to scratches.

Maple Wood

Shelves made of hard maple have a closed grain that does not accept stain very evenly, which results in a weathered appearance when the stain is applied. However, unstained maple has a very light color that is very close to being white and has grain lines that are uniform.

Hickory Wood 

Hickory is long-lasting, difficult, and substantial! The grain pattern is typically less consistent and can exhibit significant variation, not only in terms of its shape and width but also in terms of its color, which can range from nearly white to a warm brown.

Walnut Wood 

We only rarely apply stain to our American black walnut wood due to the natural beauty and deep wood tone that it already possesses. It only needs to be finished with Danish oil after being sanded and left unfinished to become absolutely stunning. 

Mahogany Wood 

Mahogany is the one type of wood that exemplifies sophistication and traditional attractiveness the best. This stunning species of wood is perfect for use as shelving in formal settings such as libraries, offices, and other such establishments.

Different Types of Wood Floating Shelves 

Talking about the types, there are different types of wood shelves floating designs that you can see today. It decorates your wall and gives it a beautiful and mesmerizing look. You can have a look at some of our gathered designs that are commonly used. 

Country Floating Shelves

This is the type of floating shelf that is most frequently found in homes. Wood was used in its construction, lending to its classic appearance. As it is a solid piece of wood, it has the capacity to hold 9 pounds in each channel. Books, beads, and other decorative items are some of the things that could be stored in them.

Solid Wood Floating Shelf

Now if we talk about something tough, that is a solid wood floating shelf. It is a kind of shelf that is very heavy because of its quality. It cannot be installed directly into the wall. 

To install this, you first need a drywall anchor, and then you have to complete the process. It is not good for renters because it can leave a spot in the wall after the change of houses.

Three Piece Floating Shelves

This floating shelf features a design with three separate channels. It has a smaller capacity for storing things. On the other hand, it has a wide range of applications, for single apartments, rented homes, and dormitory rooms. In general, it is an excellent choice for confined areas.

Floating Shelves with Rails

This type of design is very popular in toilets and kitchens. It has both metal and wood elements in its design. Because it has metal in it, you can put pretty heavy things on the shelf. 

The shelf is made of high-quality wood and also has a metal structure to keep the heavy items properly on the shelf without breaking them. One problem with this shelf is that it gets damaged easily, like fading out of color.

Rustic Floating Shelves

If we talk about durability, rusting floating shelves can be an example of this. This is constructed with a solid wood design, and they have storage inside them for the stuff. As they are heavy and solid, they also need to be plugged into the wall by a drywall anchor using studs.

Kellems 4 Piece Wall Shelf Set

Now coming out of two or three channels, we have the Kellems 4 Piece Wall Shelf Set. It is an aesthetic design for your home and also a simple one. But the size of all these channels is not equal. The sequence is 6, 12, 20, and 24 compared to each other. 

Premont 2 Piece Floating Shelf Set

If you are looking for something very simple that will give you an elegant look on your wall, then you can choose the Paramount 2-piece floating shelf set. 

It can be used for office supplies, cleaning products, or bathroom accessories. It is widely used in bathrooms and offices because there is enough space to keep things.

Kyle Modern Wall Shelf

This design is crisp and striking, making it an excellent option for use in modern interiors due to its compatibility. It is an extremely modern design that, when applied to your walls and space, can impart an aesthetic flavor that is rich in color. 

This storage solution weighs 20 pounds and can accommodate valuable items such as books and small items. Because it’s extremely lightweight, it’s important that you only put light items in here.

Hampden Stackable Long Box 

This two-piece wall shelf has a rustic look with a contemporary design that makes it suitable for most different kinds of homes. It can hold no more than 10 pounds. This floating shelf made of wood is ideal for use in areas with limited floor space. 

And it will look great displaying your collection of relics, books, and plants. Its design features simple lines, which elegantly complement the decor of its surroundings. 

While it also draws attention to the items that are showcased in a manner that is in keeping with tradition. Its solid alder construction and light walnut finish make it a versatile addition to either an antique or contemporary setting.

Dulin Photo Ledge Picture Display Floating Shelf

This floating shelf set includes two shelves in various colors for your decorating convenience. Its rectangular shape gives it a contemporary appearance, while the matte-painted finish gives it an air of sophistication. And it works well in both neutral and colorful settings. 

This floating shelf has a weight capacity of 25 lbs for allowing you to store various items such as books, picture frames, etc. And even you can store skincare products while minimizing the amount of space they might absorb in your home. 

Why Use This Kind of Wood to Make Floating Shelves 

There are thousands of species of wood on the earth, but can we use all of them for furnishing? Obviously not! There are very few species of good quality wood that give you the experience of the best wood for making floating shelves according to their specifications.

Pine Wood

Pinewood is one of the most popular and available woods in the whole world. Being so lightweight, it is able to be so available and it can have a very good finish.

Specialty

The specialty of this wood is that it is very available and also very affordable to use.

Purpose

It is widely used on floating shelves because it is eco-friendly and easy to use.  Although pine is a softwood, it is strong and long-lasting enough to be used in a variety of construction projects.

Pros

  • Availability 
  • Good Durability
  • Easy to Craft
  • Cheap

Cons

  • Can hold a few objects
  • Prone to getting scratches

Koa Wood 

Koa wood is famous for its strength and durability. It works excellently in places where hard things could be kept, like bathrooms.

Specialty

The specialty of this wood is its strength. 

Purpose

This wood is ideal for cabinet shelving because of its light weight and exceptional strength. 

Pros

  • Easy to work with
  •  Affordable
  • lightweight

Cons

  • Easily scratchable
  • Extracts too much  paint

Poplar Wood

Poplar’s almost-white color with green or black streaks has made it a popular choice for shelves. It’s easy to stain, so it’s a great choice for painted shelves because it’s inexpensive.

Specialty

Poplar is able to be bent easily due to its lightweight and moderate strength, and it is also simple to carve.

Purpose

Poplar wood is used by woodworkers to make furniture and toys, and it is an excellent choice for wood shelves.

Pros

  • Easy to work with
  •  Affordable
  • lightweight

Cons

  • Easily scratchable
  • Extracts too much  paint

Red Oak

The undertone of red oak is slightly pink. Because oak is durable and can withstand some moisture, it is an excellent choice for shelving in the kitchen or bathroom.

Specialty

The Janka hardness of red oak makes it a strong and versatile hardwood. A reddish pink to a light brown watery pattern can be seen in the oak’s color saturation.

Purpose

An excellent choice for shelving in the kitchen or bathroom.

Pros

  • Strong and durable
  • Easy workability
  • Scratch resistant

Cons

  • Gets darken easily
  • Poor moisture resistance

Cherry Wood

Cherry is a hardwood, but it’s light and simple to work with. Cherry has a rich, warm, and reddish hue that makes it a popular choice for wood shelving over other types of hardwood.

Specialty

This wood is simple to color. It has a smooth surface and a fine and straight closed grain pattern. It’s also easy to work with cherry because it’s pliable and easy to carve.

Purpose

This wood is used to make long-lasting floating shelves

Pros

  • Strong and durable 
  • Easy to work with
  • Flexible to use

Cons

  • Easily gets dirt
  • Expensive

Maple Wood

In terms of Janka’s hardness, maple is among the strongest woods. It is white with reddish-brown hues. It has a straight grain. When compared to other hardwoods, maple is an excellent value.

Specialty

The strongest wood for shelves

Purpose

It can withstand minor dents and scratches because of its high durability and strength. Normally, floors and furniture are made from maple wood, but these are ideal for floating shelves too.

Pros

  • Extremely Strong
  • Available
  • Can stain well

Cons

  • Not having much grain variation
  • Hard to work with

Walnut Wood

Walnut is an excellent hardwood because of its strong and durable features. For DIY shelf installation, walnut is also lighter than other hardwoods, which makes it easier to handle than other types of hardwoods.

Specialty

The specialty of this wood is its strength and durability.

Purpose

Because of its ease of working, walnut is favored by woodworkers for use on floating shelves. This wood’s hardiness makes it perfect for open shelves.

Pros

  • Strong and durable
  • Easy to work
  • No swelling or Shrinking

Cons

  • Expensive and Rare
  • Change of color due to light

Mahogany Wood 

Mahogany is a hardwood that weighs a lot and has a Janka hardness rating. The wood’s beautiful reddish pink hue darkens over time to a glorious reddish-brown hue, which is characterized by small, straight grain patterns.

Specialty

About seventy percent harder than most other woods are shelves made from pure mahogany.

Purpose

It is widely used for keeping heavy items like musical instruments and books.

Pros

  • Strong and durable
  • Easy to work with
  • Scratch and dent proof

Cons

  • Too much heavy
  • Too much expensive
  • Too much unavailable 

Conclusion

Floating shelves are a great way to decorate your house and get rid of old items like bookshelves and cabinets. By reading our article, you will come to know what designs you require and what type of wood is used for floating shelves.  There are various designs that can enhance your house with beauty and charm. For that, you would need a good quality of wood. So read the entire article to get an idea of the whole procedure.

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