Umbra’s Floating Shelves Save Me Space and Turn My Books Into Art

I have a lot of books — as in, they pretty much overtake my tiny apartment. Anyone living the small-space life knows that you have to utilize every inch you can. That’s why I’ve always wanted one of those cool floating bookshelves to show off my book collection without taking up extra room, but I’ve never been keen on the steep price tags. So when I came across Umbra’s Conceal Shelf Set, I knew I had to try it out. At under $40 for three sturdy, well-made shelves, these beauties are a total steal. 

The Conceal Shelf Set comes in two size options: small, which measures 5′ x 5′ x 5.5′ and can hold up to 15 pounds; and large, which measures 5.5′ x 7′ x 6.5′ and boasts a 20-pound capacity. (I went with the large shelves because, as I said, lots of books.) The L-shaped metal shelves feature a powder silver finish, and with the help of a power drill and screwdriver, they were simple to install, even for the most novice of DIYers (read: me).

I especially appreciate that you can get creative with how you choose to hang them. While the product image shows the three shelves staggered with books, I wanted to create the illusion of one long floating stack, so I spaced them vertically. I placed between 7 and 10 books on each shelf, depending on the weight of each book. And while I think these shelves work best with books to get the full floating illusion, they can easily hold anything else you would typically display on a shelf.

What I love most about these shelves, which are available from both Umbra and Amazon, is not just that they maximize my space, but that they take my beloved books from the dusty piles where no one can see them and showcase them as eye-catching art — they’re a true focal point in my living room now. After admiring the finished product and getting plenty of compliments, I’m 100 percent going to be ordering another set of Conceal Shelves. Like I said, lots of books…