Solid Oak Floating Shelf

Made to order - usually ready in a few working days.

A solid oak floating shelf, machined from character-grade solid oak - not MDF or veneered board. Fixed on concealed brackets, it gives a clean floating look with no visible supports. It works as an alcove shelf, a kitchen or living-room wall shelf, or a fireplace mantel shelf.

Sizes: 150mm or 200mm wide and 42mm thick, in lengths from 0.6m up to 1.8m. Sizes are nominal - the finished, planed size is shown in brackets on each option, so a 150mm shelf measures 145mm and 200mm measures 190mm.

Finishes: Dark Oak, Medium Oak, Natural, or Unfinished if you'd rather oil or wax it yourself.

Fixings: supplied as the solid oak shelf. To hang it as a floating shelf, fix it with concealed shelf brackets - available from most DIY suppliers, and we'll be adding our own matching bracket kit soon.

Fitting and handling
Let the shelf acclimatise in the room for at least five to seven days before fixing, especially with underfloor heating or a wood-burning stove, as solid oak moves with changes in temperature and humidity. Use concealed brackets rated for the load, with at least two fixing points. If you've chosen the unfinished option, apply two coats of penetrating oil or hard wax oil to protect the surface.

Free delivery across mainland UK, or collect from our yard in Pyle, near Bridgend. For matching trims, browse our oak mouldings, or for a chunkier fireplace piece see our Solid Oak Fireplace Mantel Beam.

Questions & Answers

How does an oak floating shelf fix to the wall?
It mounts on concealed brackets - metal rods or a hidden bracket bar that the shelf slots onto - so there are no visible supports. You fix the brackets to the wall (masonry or studs), then slide the shelf over them. We'll be adding a matching bracket kit soon; for now, standard concealed floating-shelf brackets fit.

How much weight can it hold?
With concealed brackets fixed into solid masonry or studwork, a solid oak shelf comfortably takes books, ornaments and kitchenware. The exact load depends on your brackets and wall type, so follow the bracket manufacturer's rating and use at least two fixing points.

What size do I need?
Measure your alcove, wall or opening and allow a little overhang if you want it. We make lengths from 0.6m to 1.8m in 150mm and 200mm widths. If you're between sizes, go up.

Are the sizes nominal or finished?
The headline size is nominal (the sawn size). The finished, planed size is in brackets on each option - 150mm measures 145mm and 200mm measures 190mm. The shelf is 42mm thick.

Can I cut it to length on site?
Yes. Solid oak cuts cleanly with a fine-tooth hand saw or a circular saw with a wood blade. Measure and mark carefully, and seal any cut ends with oil or wax to reduce moisture uptake.

What's the difference between the finishes?
Dark Oak, Medium Oak and Natural are pre-finished shades, ready to fit. Unfinished is raw oak - choose this if you want to oil, wax or stain it yourself.

Is it real solid oak?
Yes - solid oak cut from one piece, not veneered or oak-effect. Expect natural grain, colour variation, the odd knot and some movement, which is normal for real oak.

Do you deliver across the UK?
Yes - free delivery to mainland UK addresses, or collect from our yard in Pyle, near Bridgend.