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Sooo many cabinets - Where to begin?
Are you tired of hitting your pinky toe on bulky cabinet furniture legs?
Do you want to add some pizzazz to your room without sacrificing floor space?
Want me to stop asking questions!?
Well, my friend, look no further than floating storage cabinets!
These magical cabinets are designed to be mounted directly onto your wall, freeing up valuable floor space and eliminate the need for clunky legs or bases. Plus, they're an excellent way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a room!
With so many different types of floating cabinets available on the market though, it's difficult to know where to start your search.
In this article I'll provide you with the benefits of owning one of these cabinets, including the advantages and disadvantages.
And I'll give you a list of some of the best cabinets I found, so you're sure to find something that suits your needs and personal taste.
We'll also explore their pros and cons, things to consider before purchasing, and some common questions you'll find about them.
Okay, let's shelf away the confusion and mount up! (I don't charge extra for the puns.)
"I'm limited on time, can just you show me what products you recommend?"
Ah, you wanna see the good stuff already?
Gotcha. Well, here you go!
Best Overall Floating Wall Cabinets to Look At
(Check out the rest of the recommendations below.)
How were these cabinets selected?
My mission is to provide you with some practical ideas and products that are easy and convenient to find/purchase.
Do you really want to drive to some busy store, haul around a cabinet to the checkout line, then drive it back to your house?
Or, would you rather do a few mouse clicks and have the cabinet sent straight to your home?
Me too! (It's not lazy, it's efficient )
Keeping all this in mind - These were found after searching on some of the top sites that offer great affordable prices, have a large selection, and offer shipping to pretty much everywhere in the US.
All the individual wall cabinets selected have a lot of reviews by customers, with high ratings scores, have affordable price tags (under $300), come with multiple compartments, and can blend in perfectly in a room's setting.
Also, these recommendations are more for storing miscellaneous home items; These won't be the large floating media consoles or tv stands.
The Benefits of a Wall Mounted Floating Cabinet
Versatility
One of the best things about floating cabinets is their versatility. They can be used in any room of the house, from the kitchen to the bathroom.
Comes in Multiple Types of Materials
They also come in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or glass.
You can even mix and match different materials for a unique look that's all your own. It's like playing dress-up for your home!
Saves Space
There's also the floor space-saving aspect.
By eliminating the need for legs or bases, floating cabinets can help make a room feel more open and spacious.
Creates More Storage
Not only do they save floor space, but they also create storage space as well.
If you have a lot of stuff and are running out of space to put everything, wall mounted cabinets are a great solution.
(Especially if your lovable spouse tends to hoard, umm.. I mean, 'KEEP', a lot of stuff!)
Adds Some Pizzazz
Additionally, these cabinets can be used to create an aesthetically pleasing look in any room.
It helps make a room look less empty and reduces the overall visual clutter once you store everything away nice and neatly.
The 2 Main Disadvantages
1. Sturdiness
The first disadvantage is that a floating cabinet may not be as sturdy as a cabinet that is directly supported by legs.
Since the cabinet is suspended from the wall, it relies solely on the strength of the wall anchors, bolts, and brackets to support its full weight and contents.
If the cabinet is overloaded or if it's just not properly installed, there is a risk that the cabinet could come loose from the wall or even fall, potentially causing damage or injury.
2. Installation
Which brings us to the second disadvantage: installation & mounting.
Floating cabinets may be a bit trickier to install than traditional cabinets as they require careful measurement, locating wall studs, and proper leveling.
It's not overly complicated, but it'll be slightly more time consuming.
You'll probably need to enlist the help of a friend or family member to assist you.
Best Floating Cabinets for the Living Room
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Best Floating Cabinets for the Kitchen
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Best Floating Cabinets for the Bedroom
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Best Floating Cabinets for the Bathroom
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Best Floating Cabinets for the Garage
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Best Floating Cabinets for the Laundry Room
Small tip: Since these could potentially be exposed to water or laundry chemicals, it's a good idea to use some vinyl adhesive lining to protect the cabinet shelves.
Why These Were Selected (Pros)
Cons
Considerations When Choosing a Floating Cabinet
When choosing a floating cabinet, there are a few important factors to consider:
- Size and weight capacity are important considerations, as you want to make sure that the cabinet can hold the items you need it to hold.
- Remember, just because it's called a floating cabinet doesn't mean it can defy the laws of physics!
- Material used is another important factor, as some materials are more durable and long-lasting than others.
- Style and design should also be taken into account, as you want to choose a cabinet that complements the rest of the room.
- Finally, budget is an important consideration as floating cabinets can vary greatly in price.
Common Questions
Q: "Are floating cabinets more expensive?"
A: Floating cabinets can indeed be a bit more expensive than their boring old floor-standing counterparts.
Why?
Well, because they require some extra hardware and expertise to hang them up on the wall, kind of like a fancy piece of art. So, you're definitely paying a bit extra for the style as well.
Q: "Are floating shelves cheaper than cabinets?"
A: Yes, they are!
This is because floating shelves are typically simpler in design and construction, requiring fewer materials and labor to make.
Additionally, since floating shelves are open and do not have doors or drawers like cabinets, they can be less expensive to manufacture.
Q: "How do I mount a wall cabinet without studs?"
A: I don't recommend doing this. But here are a few options available:
- Use toggle bolts: Toggle bolts are a type of wall anchor that can support heavy loads. To use toggle bolts, you'll need to drill a hole slightly larger than the toggle bolt's diameter, insert the bolt into the hole, and then tighten the screw to secure the bolt in place. Once the toggle bolt is in place, you can attach the cabinet to the wall using screws. Here's a useful article on this process.
- Install a cleat: A cleat is a strip of wood that is screwed to the wall, and the cabinet is then attached to the cleat. To install a cleat, first, find the desired location for the cabinet and mark the height on the wall. Then, cut a piece of wood to the width of the cabinet and screw it to the wall at the marked height. Finally, attach the cabinet to the cleat using screws.
- Use a French cleat: A French cleat is a type of cleat that uses two angled pieces of wood to secure the cabinet to the wall. To install a French cleat, first, cut two pieces of wood at a 45-degree angle. Then, attach one piece of wood to the wall and the other to the cabinet. Finally, slide the two pieces of wood together to secure the cabinet to the wall. Here's another useful article for reference on this cleat.
Again, I'd like to emphasize: mounting a cabinet without studs can be risky, as it may not be as secure as when mounted directly into studs.
Always follow manufacturer instructions and weight guidelines when mounting cabinets to ensure they are safely secured to the wall.
If you're unsure about the process, it's probably a good idea to ask someone with more experience.
Q: "How do you install wall mounted cabinets?"
A: Installing wall-mounted cabinets is a relatively straightforward process.
Here are the general steps you should follow:
- Gather your materials and tools: You will need a stud finder, a level, a drill, screws, and mounting hardware (if not included with the cabinet).
- Determine the placement of the cabinet: Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the wall where you want to mount the cabinet. Mark the locations of the studs with a pencil. If you can't find studs, you will need to use one of the methods mentioned in the previous question to mount the cabinet securely.
- Attach the mounting hardware to the cabinet: If the cabinet does not come with mounting hardware, attach the hardware to the back of the cabinet. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper placement.
- Mount the cabinet: Hold the cabinet up to the wall, aligning it with the marks you made for the studs or the location of the mounting hardware. Use a level to make sure the cabinet is straight. Then, use a drill to screw the mounting hardware into the studs or the wall anchors you installed.
- Secure the cabinet: Once the cabinet is mounted, use screws to secure the cabinet to the mounting hardware. Check that the cabinet is level and secure.
- Install any shelves or doors: If your cabinet has shelves or doors, install them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Clean up: Once the cabinet is installed, clean up any debris or dust from the installation process.
Here's a brief article that goes over this process as well.
It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific cabinet.
Additionally, always make sure the cabinet is securely mounted to the wall, as an improperly installed cabinet can fall off the wall.
Q: "How high should wall cabinets be mounted?"
A: Typically, around 54 to 65 inches from the floor.
Here are a few more guidelines that you can follow:
- Determine the purpose of the floating cabinets: Consider the purpose of the cabinets and the items you'll be storing in them. If you'll be storing items that you need to access frequently, you may want to mount the cabinets at a lower height.
If the cabinets are purely/mostly decorative, you may want to mount them higher to create a statement piece. - Consider eye level: A common guideline for mounting floating cabinets is to place them at eye level, which is around 54 to 65 inches from the floor.
- Ceiling height: If you have high ceilings, you may want to mount the cabinets slightly higher to fill the vertical space. On the other hand, if you have low ceilings, you may want to mount the cabinets lower to create the illusion of more height.
- Cabinet size: The size of your cabinets can also influence the height at which you mount them. Larger cabinets may need to be mounted slightly higher to ensure they are at a comfortable height for use.
In the end, it'll be based on your personal preference and the specific needs of your space.
Helpful tip: Use masking tape or a carboard mock-up of the cabinet to test out different heights before installing it permanently.
Conclusion - Final Thoughts
In conclusion, floating storage cabinets are a great addition to any home or office space as they provide ample storage space without taking up valuable floor space.
When looking for one, it's important to consider important factors such as size, material, style, and functionality.
Any one of these could make, or break, your decision.
From the simplicity of the IKEA selections to the stylishness of the Wade Logan collection, they all have their unique attributes that can perfectly suit any room.
Ultimately, the best floating cabinet for you will depend on your specific requirements, taste, and budget.
But with the excellent options above, you're sure to find something that meets your needs and enhances the look and functionality of your home.
Personally, they've been a game-changer for my laundry room and bathroom!
So why not give one of them a try? You'll be floating on cloud nine in no time.
As always, feel free to comment down below or reach out to me directly via email.
Until next time, take care!