Pick oak floating shelves by what will sit on them first. Depth comes from the largest thing you want to stand there, length from the wall or alcove you measured, and the fixing from what is behind your plaster. Our solid oak floating shelf is 4cm thick, comes in four depths (15, 20, 25 or 30cm) and runs from 30cm to 150cm long in 10cm steps.
Why are our solid oak shelves 4cm thick?
Four centimetres (40mm) is the one thickness we offer. It gives the front edge real weight, so the shelf looks like a plank of oak set into the wall.
That leaves depth, length, fixing and finish to you. Every solid oak shelf in the collection is planed and sanded by hand to order.
How deep should an oak floating shelf be?
There is no UK standard for shelf depth. The guidance that exists comes from retailers and hardware blogs, and it agrees on one idea: match the depth to the biggest thing on the shelf. One hardware guide puts books at 8 to 10 inches, which is roughly 20 to 25cm, and kitchen dishes and bowls at 10 to 12 inches, roughly 25 to 30cm. It puts small decor, candles and picture frames at 6 to 8 inches, roughly 15 to 20cm.
Our four depths line up with that:
- 15cm: picture frames, candles, a small row of ornaments.
- 20cm: larger frames, books mixed with objects.
- 25cm: most books, everyday bowls.
- 30cm: plates and deep bowls on a kitchen shelf.
Plants are the odd one. Measure the widest part of the pot, saucer included, and choose the depth that clears it with room to spare. A pot that hangs over the edge is the first thing to get knocked.
Deeper is not always better. The same guide notes that the deeper a floating shelf is, the more leverage it puts on the wall support. A 30cm shelf asks more of your wall than a 15cm one. If you only need to hold a few ornaments, take the shallower shelf and keep the room looking open.
How long should the shelf be?
Length is left to right along the wall. Our shelves run from 30cm to 150cm in 10cm steps, so you will find one close to almost any gap.
For an alcove, measure the width at the front, middle and back, and use the smallest of the three. Oak is a natural material and our dimensions can vary by up to a quarter of an inch (about 6mm), so do not plan a fit tighter than that. If your wall needs a length that is not on the list, contact us before you order and we will talk it through.
Over a fireplace you may want something heavier than a shelf. Our guide to oak mantel beam sizes covers that.
Hidden fixings or black brackets?
You choose the bracket type when you order.
Hidden fixings. The shelf arrives pre-drilled for a floating look. Nothing shows beneath it. It suits a clean wall in a living room or bedroom.
Black brackets. The solid oak shelf with black metal brackets keeps the same 4cm oak and adds visible black metal brackets. It suits anywhere you like seeing how a thing is held up.
Neither choice changes the rule that matters most: the wall decides.
Which oil colour should you pick?
There are six: White, Light Grey, Grey, Dark, Old Oak and Clear. We can oil the shelf before it leaves the workshop. If you would rather finish it yourself, contact us first and we can supply the oil for you to apply.
Look at the colour of your floor, your skirting and your wall before choosing. Our oil colours compared post sets them side by side.
What wall is it going on, and which fixings?
The wall type and the fixings decide how a shelf holds, and we cannot judge your wall from here. Follow the fixing instructions that come with your shelf, and use fixings that suit your wall.
A few points from UK installation guidance:
- Solid brick or block is the easiest case. Plasterboard on a stud frame is where many DIY jobs go wrong. You need to hit the studs or use cavity fixings made for plasterboard.
- Standard wall plugs are rarely enough for plasterboard.
- No stud detector is completely reliable. Test it on a known stud and check for cables and pipes before you drill, and be careful near sockets and switches.
If you are unsure what your wall is made of, ask a qualified fitter before you drill.
What to measure first
- The width of the wall or alcove, at three heights if the walls are not square.
- The biggest object you want on the shelf, including pots, saucers and book spines.
- How far you can let the shelf project before it catches a door, a head or a radiator.
- Your wall type, and what runs behind it.
- The height from the floor or worktop, so the shelf does not sit too low to use.
Questions people ask
Can I get a different size?
Standard depths are 15, 20, 25 and 30cm and standard lengths run from 30 to 150cm. For anything else, contact us before ordering.
How long does a shelf take to arrive?
Each shelf is made to order. Allow five to ten working days for dispatch. If you need it by a date, contact us first.
Will the grain and colour match the photos?
Not exactly. Oak has natural grain, colour variation, knots, cracks and splits, and it changes as it settles. That is part of solid oak and part of why each shelf looks like its own.
Can I pair a shelf with a coat rack in the hallway?
Yes. Our solid oak coat racks come in the same six oil colours, so a shelf and a rack can match.
Ready to choose? Browse the full solid oak shelves collection and pick your depth, length and oil.
