As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Quick answer
For a small farmhouse kitchen, choose the width from the wall section you can use. The PHUNAYA kitchen shelves are 17 inches wide and 6 inches deep, a good fit for a short gap between a window and a cabinet. The Marsmiles set is 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep, which gives spice jars and bottles more surface. The HuiDao three-tier shelf stacks three levels in a 17.3-inch width. The Ballucci 36-inch board suits an open stretch of wall above a counter. One listing contradicts itself on load: PHUNAYA gives 40 lb in its spec table and 25 lb per shelf in its bullets. The HuiDao 50 lb figure does not say whether it applies per tier or to the whole unit. Use the lower figure until you confirm it on the listing.
Why open shelves suit a farmhouse kitchen
Open shelves put dishes, jars and small kitchen items where you can see them, which helps when the lower cabinets are full. They also use wall space that might otherwise stay empty. The limit is clutter. A compact kitchen can look crowded fast when every inch of wall is filled, so keep the shelves for items you reach often and store the rest in cabinets.
Measure before you buy
Width: the usable span
Measure from the nearest obstruction on one side to the nearest obstruction on the other. Count cabinet edges, window trim, corners, light fixtures and any feature that could interfere with the bracket. A worked check: on a 30-inch span between a window and a corner, the PHUNAYA 17-inch shelf leaves 13 inches, or 6.5 inches on each side if centered. The Marsmiles 24-inch set leaves 6 inches, or 3 inches on each side.
Depth: what projects into the work area
Measure how far the shelf can stick out from the wall without catching the faucet handles, a window crank or your head while you work. The listed depths are 6 inches (PHUNAYA), 12 inches (Marsmiles, 24 inches wide), 5.1 inches (HuiDao) and 6 inches (Ballucci). The 12-inch board gives the most surface and also projects the farthest, so check the clearance over your counter before you choose it.
Height above the counter
None of the four listings gives a recommended install height above a counter or sink. Set the height from your own reach, the faucet, the window and any upper cabinets, then read the mounting instructions before you drill. Use painter’s tape to mark each board’s outline on the wall first.
Wall surface and fasteners
The listings do not state compatibility with tile, plaster, masonry or paneling. Check the instructions for your wall type, and use anchors where they are required. Do not load a shelf until it is installed as the instructions direct.
Comparison at a glance
| Shelf | Width | Depth | Height | Stated load | Shelves | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHUNAYA Kitchen Floating Shelves, Set of 2 | 17 in | 6 in | 2.7 in | 40 lb in spec table; 25 lb per shelf in bullets | 2 | Listed as natural brown paulownia; bullets say carbonized black |
| Marsmiles 12 in Deep Floating Shelves, 24 in Wide, 2-Pack | 24 in | 12 in | 2 in | 55 lb (listing does not say per shelf or per pair) | 2 | Walnut |
| HuiDao 3-Tier Wall Shelf | 17.3 in | 5.1 in | 18.9 in (overall) | 50 lb (listing does not say per tier or total) | 3 tiers | Brown, solid wood |
| Ballucci Floating Shelves, 36 in, Set of 2 | 35.5 in | 6 in | 1.5 in | 20 lb (spec says “minimum weight”) | 2 | Rustic brown |
Sizes and loads are the figures the Amazon listings state. Check the product page for current details before you buy.
Products worth checking
PHUNAYA Kitchen Floating Shelves, Paulownia, Set of 2
ASIN: B082F78NSV | Affiliate link
- Size per the listing: 17 in wide (about 17 by 5.6 in per shelf in the bullets), 6 in deep, 2.7 in high. Boards are 0.71 in thick.
- Material: paulownia wood with iron brackets. Set of 2.
- Stated load: 40 lb in the spec table, and 25 lb per shelf in the bullets when weight is evenly spread. Use 25 lb until the listing clears this up.
- Included: two detachable towel bars, six hooks, raised front and side rails, and the screws.
- Good fit: spices, oil bottles and everyday containers on a short kitchen wall.
- Limits: the spec table lists a natural brown finish, while the bullets describe carbonized black wood, so check the photos. The listing does not say whether it suits a wall above a sink.
Marsmiles 12 in Deep Floating Shelves for Wall, 24 in Wide, Walnut Finish, 2-Pack
ASIN: B0FNWFH2WN | Affiliate link
- Size per the listing: 12 in deep, 24 in wide, 2 in thick. Material: engineered wood. Finish: walnut. Set of 2.
- Stated load: 55 lb. Item weight 11 lb (per the listing). The listing does not say whether the 55 lb applies to each board or to the pair.
- Good fit: a deep shelf for spice jars, cookbooks or canisters on a wall with room to spare.
- Limits: the 12-inch projection is the deepest in this guide, so check clearance over the counter. The listing includes a magnetic level and says installation takes under 10 minutes, which is the seller’s claim.
100% Solid Wood Wall Shelf 3-Tier, Rustic Floating Shelves, Farmhouse Decor (HuiDao)
ASIN: B0FWB4YTN9 | Affiliate link
- Size per the listing: 5.1 in deep, 17.3 in wide, 18.9 in high overall. Three tiers. Color: brown. Material: wood (the bullets say solid wood).
- Stated load: 50 lb. The listing does not say whether that applies per tier or to the whole unit.
- Brackets: wavy-edge, per the spec table. Installation hardware and instructions are included.
- Good fit: a stacked group on a narrow wall where vertical space is free and you want three levels in one footprint.
- Limits: this is a stacked three-tier wall shelf, not a single floating board. The 18.9-inch height takes up the wall above the counter. The 5.1-inch depth is shallow for larger jars.
Ballucci Floating Shelves, 36 in Wood Wall Shelf, Set of 2, Rustic Brown
ASIN: B0CZNJNNCB | Affiliate link
- Size per the listing: 35.5 in wide, 6 in deep, 1.5 in high. Material: engineered wood. Color: rustic brown. Set of 2.
- Stated load: 20 lb. The spec table says “minimum weight”, so treat 20 lb as the limit.
- The listing says pre-assembled and ready to hang.
- Good fit: one long open shelf above a counter on an open stretch of wall.
- Limits: the bullets describe hidden brackets, but the spec table lists a flat, back-against-wall bracket, so check the photos. A 35.5-inch span needs a long, clear wall.
Layouts that work in a small kitchen
One short shelf in a gap
A single 17-inch PHUNAYA shelf fills a gap that a full-size shelf cannot. Keep it at a height where you can lift items over the rails and reach the bar ends, and leave the towel bar off if you do not need it.
One long shelf above the counter
A 24-inch or 35.5-inch board gives a single line of storage. The 24-inch Marsmiles board is deep enough for jars. The 35.5-inch Ballucci board is shallow at 6 inches, so it suits small items and decor.
A stacked group on a narrow wall
The HuiDao shelf stacks three levels in one 17.3-inch footprint. It takes the most height of the four, so use it where the wall above the counter is free.
Mistakes to avoid
- Choosing by width alone. A 12-inch-deep board projects far enough to catch a faucet handle or a window crank.
- Trusting the top load figure. Where a listing gives two numbers, use the lower one until you confirm it.
- Reading a dimension label as fact without checking the photo. Labels vary between listings, so measure the board you plan to buy.
- Filling every inch. Leave room to take things down without bumping the shelf below.
Frequently asked questions
What depth holds spice jars?
The 6-inch PHUNAYA shelf holds spices and oil bottles, according to its bullets. The 12-inch Marsmiles set holds more jars and cookbooks, but it projects farther into the kitchen.
Can I put a shelf above the sink?
None of the listings says whether its shelf suits a wall above a sink. Check the faucet, window and splash area in your kitchen, and keep the shelf out of the spray zone.
Which load figure should I use?
Use the lowest figure a listing gives. For PHUNAYA, that is 25 lb per shelf in its bullets. For HuiDao and Marsmiles, the listings do not say whether the figure applies per shelf or to the whole unit, so load them conservatively.
Do I need to find studs?
The listings do not say whether a stud is needed for any of these shelves. Use the hardware in the box, check the instructions for your wall material, and use anchors or studs where the instructions require them.
Do I need a farmhouse shelf at all?
Not always. If your cabinets already hold what you use daily, skip the shelves. Open shelves suit items you reach for often, and they can make a small kitchen look busier if you fill them.
