Modern Metal Floating Shelf

The whole appeal of a floating shelf is the absence of visible support, and metal does that better than timber because the plate can be thin and still hold. These shelves fix through a concealed rear bracket, so what you see from the front and below is a clean slab with no brackets, no screws and no shadow line - which is what makes them work above a basin, beside a hob or along a hallway.

Four lengths cover most jobs. The 20cm is a single-object shelf, good beside a door for keys or above a basin for a soap dish; 30cm and 40cm take spice jars, small plants or a stack of three books; the 50cm handles a proper run of storage. Matte black is the sharper choice against pale tile or paint, while brushed steel sits more comfortably in a kitchen with existing stainless fittings.

Mount into a solid substrate wherever possible, and use anchors rated for the load if you are fixing into plasterboard. Check the wall for pipes and cables before drilling - this matters especially above a basin or behind a hob. Do not exceed the stated load, and distribute weight rather than loading one end. Wipe with a damp cloth and dry it.

• Metal floating shelf with a fully concealed rear bracket
• Available in 20cm, 30cm, 40cm and 50cm lengths
• Matte black or brushed steel finish
• Check for pipes and cables before drilling, especially in kitchens and bathrooms
• Fix into a solid substrate or use load-rated plasterboard anchors
• Distribute weight evenly; do not exceed the stated load