I am veheminatly against floating wall shelves (and brackets for that matter) that serve no purpose. And I see it SO often! I know they sell them everywhere and people buy them to fill up space on a wall but they have no idea how to a) hang them and b) accessorize them.
Please don't ever do this!!!
(I am so sorry to you, whoever you are!!! But I had to prove my point.)
You will see that I only have a certain style of floating shelves represented here and that is because I am biased, this is the only kind I like. Why? They are designed to be installed into studs so that they can actually hold weight and not pull out of the wall. And they hold more than a single candle.
I think they are great to add architectural detail to a niche like this...
Or in a child's room to keep precious toys out of reach!
(LOVE how Lee K. added the rod underneath to hang clothes!)
They are also great in a kitchen to break up all the heavy cabinetry...
And who says they have to be wood? LOVING the marble!
And when done right, I like them to display art or photos...
And look at this clever minx, great idea when you are short on space!