The Renter-Friendly Floating Shelves That Will Instantly Create More Space In Tiny Apartments

published Oct 13, 2022
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Living in a small space comes with its own set of challenges, including but not limited to keeping it organized and free from clutter. One well-known method of maximizing storage in a small home or apartment is to utilize vertical space, but sometimes that’s easier said than done. It’s not as if you can solely rely on bookcases and cabinets in every room, especially tiny spaces like bathrooms and pantries. Floating shelves are a wonderful option that can be both stylish and small space-friendly without hurting your wallet. There are also styles that are renter-friendly and don’t require tools to assemble or mount. More specifically, acrylic decor and organization solutions have been on the rise from colorful L-shaped shelves to functional and chic side tables. Cq acrylic landed on Apartment Therapy’s radar for their compact and dual-purpose trash bin, and their set of 15” Floating Wall Shelves is becoming an Amazon shopper favorite. 

Cq acrylic’s 15” floating wall shelves are an understated champion in their category. If you’ve ever tried hunting down clear, renter-friendly (as in no-drill) shelving on Amazon, then you know the results seem endless. What makes it harder is that you really have to wade through the reviews to know if they’re actually renter-friendly, because acrylic shelving isn’t all the same. They have different weights, quality, and capabilities, and it can be a pain to order them sight unseen, only to learn that they aren’t a good fit for your place after they arrive. “I purchased this for my perfume collection. I was a little nervous because I had shelves similar to this, and it was not sturdy enough,” said one review. “But this one IS WORTH EVERY PENNY. I love the fact that it is affordable and easy to install.” Cq acrylic’s shelves, however, are beloved by renters and homeowners alike for their sturdiness, durability, style, and ease of installation. The floating shelf sets are available in packs of two, four, and six; and come in black, white, and clear. 

The floating shelves arrive with wall-mounting hardware only, which means you’re responsible for picking up Command strips or double-sided tape to hang them without drilling holes in the wall. Buyers have put them up successfully with heavy-duty double-sided tape, such as large Command strips (at least four are recommended per shelf) and Gorilla Heavy Duty Mounting Tape. Ultimately, it comes down to the weight limit of the mounting tape and what you plan to store on the shelves. If it’s heavy items, like lots of perfume or multiple large bottles of personal care products, then you may want to install them with screws to ensure the shelf can hold up. But if you don’t plan to pack it excessively, the no-drill options should be pretty effective. Amazon shoppers who’ve purchased these shelves have used them for makeup, spices, art, sunglasses, vinyls, stuffed animals, books, perfume, Starbucks cups, collectibles, and more. “My daughter collects ‘Stranger Things’ figurines and we bought these to display them. They looked excellent!” said a shopper who purchased the clear shelves. “I thought it made her collection look really organized and polished! I definitely recommend these and will be buying more as her collection grows.” They also seem to be a go-to for Funko Pop collectors (as seen in many photos in the reviews), and can comfortably hold up to three boxed figurines.

The Cq acrylic floating shelves can be used in a variety of rooms, which is another perk that contributed to their five-star rating. They’ve been placed in kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, and more, and provide a sleek and modern method of organization that you don’t have to hide. “These clear acrylic shelves are so underrated in my opinion, and I wish I would’ve thought to look for something like them sooner,” said an Amazon review. “I love how they can be used for such a variety of purposes. They showcase important collector’s items perfectly, or they can hold simple everyday items and decor while still leaving a fresh openness to the walls. I used mine for boring toiletries, and something about it just feels so clean and right — almost like it was wrong of me to ever use wooden shelves in a bathroom to begin with. I can’t explain it, but it’s great!”