Goodbye Bulky Bookshelf: The Versatile Amazon Shelf Solution That Holds 40 Pounds

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

What is it about bookshelves that make our spaces seem more refined? Perhaps they showcase that you're a person who knows what they're talking about, since you have all the knowledge of the world on your shelves and all. However, although bookshelves are a lovely addition to homes, they do manage to consume lots of space. It's not unusual that most are bulky or just too expansive for the small space that they must be squeezed into inside living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Perhaps something more space efficient, such as these Forbena floating book shelves from Amazon, is the answer to that never-ending problem. This way, you can display your favorite books with an alternative to a standard bookshelf. 

Coming in a set of three, these bookshelves are floating, which essentially just means they can be mounted on a wall for more floor space beneath. They're set with black triangle brackets on either side and finished with wooden shelves (you can choose between rustic brown, white, or black shelf colors). One big feature is that they can actually hold upto 40 lbs of weight for some of those heavier books. Most of all, they eliminate the need for bulky bookshelves, and instead offer a vertical shelf solution that fits the storage of many books. It's easy to see how you could create the perfect home library using these shelves.

The Forbena bookshelf has been well received by customers who have tried it. It even has an overall ranking of 4.7 out of 5 stars. With just under 1000 reviews at the time of writing, people have liked it based on the fact that they're so durable and heavy duty. One review on Amazon says: "These are sturdy, exactly as described, easy to mount, and look like they're made of much higher quality materials. The brackets/mounting are very solid and the boards arrived in great shape. Couldn't be happier." Another raved: "So strong, and holds all my books no problem." 

If you're wondering how to decorate bookshelves like these, know that these aren't your run-of-the-mill, closed-door, stand-up bookshelves. Since they're open floating shelves, these work best when you purposely style them. Throw in a few forward-facing books with more stylistic covers to give these shelves the decor you feel they need. They come in a set of three, but you can also purchase two sets to cluster your shelves together for a small floating library on a living room wall. The strong point of these shelves is that they can hold up to 40 lbs, so take advantage of their capacity for large weight and add on a few heavy-duty bookends and potted plants. Consider some with long, trailing vines to hang off of them or incorporate framed photos and trinkets between books. Most of all, these shelves work equally well if you place them in overlooked areas of the home. For example, you could consider using one as a floating bookshelf next to each side of the bed for late night reads, in lieu of a nightstand that holds your favorite books.