Starting with the 'bookshelf wealth' trend, all eyes have been on shelving this year. Shelving is attractive to homeowners and designers because it functions both as storage and as a site for decor. Floating shelves, like the one in Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes’s kitchen, are the latest iteration of the trend.
We spotted the kitchen shelving in a recent Instagram post from Mendes. In the photo, she stands in front of a gray wall. On the left, a large painting adorns the wall. On the right, above the sink, a natural wood shelf features a set of gorgeous green and blue decorative bowls. The wood of the shelf is elevated by gold hardware, while a bouquet of fresh flowers makes the bowls on the floating shelf appear all the more vibrant.
According to experts, floating shelves are the next big interior design trend in kitchen storage. ‘Although cabinets will always be the first line of defense in terms of storing flatware, food, and kitchen appliances, floating shelves are quickly rising in the ranks,' comments H&G's digital editor, Jennifer Ebert.
'First of all, they can be used in areas where full cabinets would not fit. For instance, above the sink or the stove. This not only provides space to store practical items like often used spices or cleaning supplies but creates a platform for featuring decorative objects.’
She continues, ‘Furthermore, the open design of floating shelves is popular because it fills the home with light. The open space surrounding the shelves allows light to flow throughout the room, creating an open and airy effect. As we move away from darker, more closed-in interiors, floating shelves become a great kitchen storage idea.'
The popularity of floating shelves and decorating shelving in general hinges on a larger movement in interior design towards more personalized spaces. Ebert says, 'People are no longer satisfied with the lifeless, beige interiors of yore. 2025 is all about showcasing your individuality and bringing as much of your personality as possible into your home. Floating shelves provide the perfect opportunity to create a personal museum for showcasing your most beautiful and prized possessions. This is an especially wonderful idea in small or rented spaces, where you can't personalize in other ways.'
Shop H&G's Favorite Floating Shelves
No matter your interior design style, you can easily recreate Mendes and Gosling's design in your home. We love this rustic shelf from Wayfair for a more grounded and cozy space, this white scalloped shelf from West Elm for a more modern look, or this two-level piece from Etsy for those who prefer to keep more items on display.
This natural looking shelf is accessibly priced with a gorgeous, alder design
These beautiful cream shelves add a sweetness and warmth to any room where they are used
These wooden floating shelves are perfect for storing decorative items with two levels for extra display space
For those hoping to recreate the look more precisely, we recommend investing in an elegant dinnerware set. This allows you to use the floating shelf as dual storage for your dinnerware, which is also a design-led statement. Gosling and Mendes have opted for a floral, more traditionally painted style that brings a pop of color to the space above your sink. If your style is more neutral or modern, try sculptural pottery pieces instead. The possibilities are endless.
The floating shelf is emerging as one of the biggest trends of 2025. Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes are trailblazing the look.
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