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When it came to decorating my apartment, I faced one big challenge: I could not hammer a nail more than half an inch into my walls. Turns out, you need a special drill bit to get into this wall material, and I am not particularly handy, so I became a big believer in heavy-duty adhesives. 

During Amazon Prime Day, I found the Oaprire Floating Shelves. The adhesive shelves were exactly what I was looking for: easy to install and unobtrusive. The regular price is a set of two shelves for $16. I found a set of four on sale for $24, so keep an eye out for discounts. 

In the set of two, there is enough mounting tape to use five pieces on each shelf for maximum strength. I actually used a different amount of tape on each shelf depending on what I intended to place on it. Two pieces was enough for small decorations that weigh about a pound, while three worked for a small candle and jewelry box. I liked being able to adjust how much tape I used — plus, now I have extra pieces of strong adhesive that I can use for other things. 

After applying the mounting tape, the instructions say to let the shelves hang without weight overnight. For the last two months that they've been up, I haven't seen any sign of instability. I even used string to hang a flat brimmed hat, anchored to the shelf. The mounting tape isn't entirely transparent, but it's subtle, easy to hide, and strong. 

The one thing I'm not totally happy with is the depth of the shelf. It seems almost an inch too long compared to the back edge and the relative delicacy of the clear acrylic. However, I don't notice it unless I'm right next to the shelf. 

The shelves also come with stainless steel screws for more weight bearing, as well as cable clips that you can stick to the bottom for cord storage if you're displaying tech. Since I'm using the shelves for decor pieces, I tucked away the screws and repurposed the cable clips to hold my scrunchies! 

Since I moved in to my apartment, I have been looking for a way to display my decorations and to add a three-dimensional element to my space. The Oaprire shelves are the easiest way I found to accomplish both design goals, all for under $25. 

Pros: Easy to install, two mounting options, included cord clips

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