A well-fixed floating shelf can hold for years without trouble, but badly calculated it ends up giving way or tilting, above all with loads of books that are easily underestimated.
Why the type of wall changes the fixing
On a masonry wall (brick, block), a good-quality chemical or mechanical anchor takes high loads without trouble. On a plasterboard partition, the fixing must go into a metal stud or use a specific plasterboard anchor rated for load (molly or toggle type), because the board alone doesn't hold the weight of a shelf loaded with books.
Indicative weight of a bookshelf
A shelf of 80–100 cm loaded with books can easily exceed 25–30 kg, a weight many "decorative" fixings aren't designed to carry over time. Always calculate for the maximum foreseeable weight, not for the weight with which it's tested on the day of fitting.
Hidden rods vs. visible brackets
The hidden-rod system (embedded in the wall, with the shelf slotted on from behind) gives the real "floating" effect and usually carries more weight than budget visible L-brackets, although it needs greater precision at installation so the shelf ends up level.
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