Free Standing Glass Shelves

Jump To Our Picks

Glass shelving is a wonderful way to display anything including books. And if you are in the market for new shelving for your home, free standing glass shelves are a way to go. The shelving is very sturdy, and the glass shelves themselves are thick and tempered, capable of holding plenty weight. Take a look at this collection if you are in the market for freestanding glass shelves.

5 Recommendations and 117 Ideas

Updated 07/11/2022
Foter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Why trust us?
1
Metal and Glass Shelf

Metal and Glass Shelf

Three Posts™

This freestanding glass shelving unit is a compact and tall piece. The four-tier glass shelves rest on a sturdy steel frame finished in either gold or bronze. An anti-tip device and levelers are added for stability. 

$239.99 $339

Designer Advice:

Versatile in its form, the gold-finished shelf would look great in a transitional or traditional interior environment because of its chic appeal. Meanwhile, the bronze unit is perfect for contemporary living spaces. It has a weight capacity of 20lb, so it’s best to style it with lightweight pieces such as paperbacks, a small potted plant, and wicker baskets.

Merchant links are sponsored
2
Compact Stand

Compact Stand

Ebern Designs

A striking glass shelf stand with four open levels. Perfect for displaying little trinkets or essentials you cherish. The modern piece is crafted from sleek tempered glass. The chrome-plated steel posts give a luxe and classic appeal. 

$60.99 $114.99

Merchant links are sponsored
3
Contemporary Glass Shelf

Contemporary Glass Shelf

Etta Avenue™

These freestanding glass shelves are an ideal choice for space-saving and organization. Masterfully crafted from steel with six tiers of vertical glass shelves included. Its black nickel polish adds a touch of modern sophistication. 

$339.99 $648

Designer Advice:

Perfect for adding a sleek sheen to any interior. Its polished surface lends a sense of modernity to transitional space and, at the same time, reinforces the minimalist look for contemporary interiors. For a touch of warmth, we recommend styling this with dark, bold, or bright décor. These will bring a stunning contrast to the cold gray steel color.

Merchant links are sponsored
4
Full Glass Shelf

Full Glass Shelf

HOVEYY

This glass stand shelf is fully transparent to showcase your treasured items. This modern piece is crafted from sturdy tempered glass with wooden boards for the top and base. It stands vertically and tall with four levels.

Merchant links are sponsored
5
Scalloped Corner Shelf

Scalloped Corner Shelf

Three Posts™

A freestanding glass shelf with a modern industrial look. Its compact design mixes glass and metal with an anti-tip device added for stability. The versatile look with a curved top works well with modern or glam settings. 

$295.99 $439

Designer Advice:

Attractive details and an airy look make this piece perfect for chic contemporary interiors with farmhouse or timeless themes. We recommend playing with heights and creating alternating arrangements with two-three-two configurations for an interesting composition. These shelves in gold and bronze will look great when placed on both ends of a low TV cabinet.

Merchant links are sponsored
Jump to More Ideas
Free Standing Glass Shelves

Buying Guide

Free standing glass shelves are safe as long as they are all made out of tempered glass. Today, most glass shelves are made from this toughened glass, and it is known to be up to seven times stronger than regular glass.

Tempered glass goes through numerous thermal and chemical treatments, strengthening it for a variety of uses, from shelving to skyscraper windows. In addition, a smoothing and polishing process removes outer perimeter sharpness. So, if you accidentally bump into your free standing glass shelves, you’re not likely to sustain an injury.

As an added assurance, tempered glass shelves, if broken, tend to crumble into granular chunks instead of shattering into sharp shards, minimizing the risk of lacerations.

If you are concerned about your shelves’ safety, place them in a location away from foot traffic, or avoid using them in rooms commonly used by children or pets. You could also opt for a free standing unit with a wide base to provide added stability.

Free standing glass shelves can be anchored to a wall for additional stability if you have concerns about the safety of your shelving unit. How you do this depends on the design of the free standing glass shelves. If the shelves are supported by a wooden or metal frame, you’ll be able to use the same methods for anchoring the unit to the wall as you would with any other shelf.

However, if it’s an open concept unit and you’re looking to secure the glass shelves directly to the wall, you’ll need to obtain fasteners specifically meant to support glass shelving.

There are two common styles of free-standing glass shelves: encased and open. Open glass shelves often include a simple frame, usually made out of a metal such as burnished gold or iron, and thick panes of glass anchored horizontally across the frame.

With encased glass shelves, you’re more likely to see a thicker, framed set of shelves that look a little less like they’re floating. These thicker frames tend to be made of hardwood or a metal, and they sometimes include doors.

Both of these styles of glass shelves are stylish, but encased ones tend to be more traditional, whereas open shelves are more modern.

Best Ideas

Free standing glass shelves 9

An aesthetic modern free standing open shelving unit having a frame of chromed metal. It's built of 2 tall round posts (on round flat feet) joined by top and bottom bars. It's equipped with 3 rectangular shelves of clear tempered glass.

Free standing glass shelves 5

GLASS SHELVES 1 BOOKSHELF Designed by Shiro Kuramata Manufactured by Glas Italia 00 Reviews $14,520.00

Vntg Glass Brass Mirror Curio Table Top Wall Cabinet Display Case Stand Shelves

Vntg Glass Brass Mirror Curio Table Top Wall Cabinet Display Case Stand Shelves

A simple, yet gorgeous book stand with a unique, asymmetrical design made out of a copper frame and glass surfaces. Very modern design with a subtle industrial touch. Bound to spice up your library or living room.

Free standing frame kits with glass shelves

free standing frame kits with glass shelves

Zenith Studio Accents Wall Shelf, Chrome

Simple but elegantly styled chrome wall shelf made of plated steel and tempered glass shelves. The high polished chrome provides you with open storage with a decorative display. It can be mounted on the wall quite easily to save floor space.

Free standing black wrought iron glass shelving unit bakers rack

Free Standing Black Wrought Iron Glass Shelving Unit Bakers Rack

Free standing glass shelves 27

Gorgeous Mid Century Chrome & Glass Milo Baughman Shelving Unit by InteriorContent #vintagehome #midcenturymodern

Free standing shelf wood glass

Free Standing Shelf Wood Glass

Free standing glass shelves 2

Original design of shelves with natural looking tree branch frame. This attractive frame includes four glass shelves that not only look original, but they also assure solidity and stability for books, decorations, etc.

Free standing glass shelves 21

Uniquely designed free standing glass shelves that should be perfect for displaying your collectibles. The shelves come in a neat curved design and are all supported by a sturdy metal frame, each with nonskid rubber stops at the bottom for safety.

And glass shelf unit modern style chrome shelf unit with

and Glass Shelf Unit – modern style chrome shelf unit with 4 glass ...

Walnut free standing shelving unit with

Walnut free standing shelving unit with

No, it's not a piece of chocolate - but a free standing shelf made of a thick piece of chocolate brown walnut wood. Sanded and impregnated. Two glass slides are placed in two narrow grooves. They are safely resting there and waiting for your decorative items.

Metal and glass audio stand with frosted glass shelves zx

... Metal and Glass Audio Stand with Frosted Glass Shelves ZX-4A(B

Modern glass corner shelf display storage unit free 1

Modern Glass Corner Shelf Display Storage Unit Free ...

Bathroom storage organizer 5 tier metal free standing

Bathroom Storage Organizer 5 Tier Metal Free Standing ...

Free standing bathroom shelving youll love wayfair 1

Free Standing Bathroom Shelving You'll Love | Wayfair

3 tier free standing glass shelves storage rectangular

3 Tier Free Standing Glass Shelves Storage Rectangular ...

Best free standing shelf unit with adjustable glass for

Best Free Standing Shelf Unit With Adjustable Glass for ...

Gold modern tall glass shelf shelving

Gold Modern Tall Glass Shelf | Shelving

1stdibs shelf vintage free standing wall unit 1970s

1stdibs Shelf - Vintage Free Standing Wall Unit 1970S ...

Features metal tempered glass traditional style

Features: -Metal / Tempered glass. -Traditional style ...

Free standing black glass shelves x 2 in spilsby

Free standing black glass shelves x 2 | in Spilsby ...

12 ideas of free standing glass shelves 4

12 Ideas of Free Standing Glass Shelves

Dainolite dbs 400 gl sv elegant free standing shelf

Dainolite DBS-400-GL-SV Elegant Free-Standing Shelf ...