Excellent, that should be the easiest to create. The ones in the photo were created with a batten running around the back, sides and front, with MDF secured to the top and underside, with a timber front. It would be easy enough for lighting to be incorporated should you wish, although bringing in an electrician will obviously ramp up the cost.

I've built a similar shelf out of an old oak table top. Not floating though, as a regular sized wash basin went on top. But a carpenter can surely build you some, it's not rocket science. Please do make sure it's coated properly, so all the grains are sealed.

I've tried several different types of floating shelves and never found them sufficiently robust. They always seem to slope down at the front and I haven't even tried to put anything on them as heavy as a book. It may be that I'm not paying enough for them, I have bought them from the various retailers such as B&Q and homebase. Instead of floating shelves, I now use clamp support brackets which hold the shelf firmly but are more discrete than under-shelf brackets.

I saw floating shelves being put up on a Kitchen makeover programme last night on channel 5. They had metal rods fixed to the wall, and holes were made in the shelves to line up with the rods and they were slid on. I’m not sure they are strong enough for heavy items, but fine for a few decorative items or a plant.