The design of a bathroom cannot be complete without elements such as bathroom shelves. They provide proper placement of space, compact storage of personal hygiene products, household chemicals and textiles. In addition, with their help you can conveniently hide utilities, plumbing and water pipes. Wall-mounted structures can even be placed next to a water source.
Shelves play a huge functional and aesthetic role in the bathroom interior
What types of bathroom shelves are there?
The shelf must be selected to match the interior, since not all structures can be mounted in the bathroom. The most popular options are floor-mounted stationary ones, on which household small items and other things are conveniently stored. In addition, we allow the installation of plumbing elements. The second most popular are multi-level corner ones: you can place creams, shower gels and other personal hygiene products on them. You can also compactly place hanging items above the washing machine. They are also used to place towels, bathrobes and other home textiles.
With proper selection and placement, shelves decorate the interior, become its accents and can even influence the visual perception of space
Main functions of a shelf in a bathroom
It doesn’t matter whether you have a Khrushchev-era apartment or a huge apartment designed by a designer, without shelves for compact storage of things in the bathroom, the room will be uncomfortable, and the overall picture of the interior will be incomplete. The main task of such an organizer is to ensure proper storage of household chemicals, small items, home textiles and decorative cosmetics, without cluttering surfaces and making a mess.
Shelves help keep the bathroom tidy and make the room more comfortable to use - thanks to them, everything you need is at hand
If you choose a shelf with lighting, you get decorative decoration and functionality in one: this design looks expensive, beautiful and performs several tasks at once. The room looks refined, and this small detail can set the tone for the entire interior.
Stylish shelf with a drying rack for storing towels
Making your own bathroom shelves
A large range of bathroom shelves does not always provide the opportunity to choose the best option. A small area and inconvenient layout sometimes do not allow the installation of standard structures. A modern assortment of building and finishing materials allows you to make a bathroom shelf with your own hands, providing the interior with the proper attractiveness and comfort.
A home craftsman can create any desired design:
- stationary, mounted, corner;
- plastic, wood, metal, glass;
- compact or large.
You can make a bathroom shelf with your own hands
The choice of model depends on the area and layout of the room, the purpose of the furniture, and skills in working with various materials.
Where is the best place to place a bathroom shelf?
A shelf for a bathroom should be purchased according to the design and parameters of the room; its compact placement depends on this. It must be installed so that everything you need is at hand: near the bathtub or shower, above or under the sink.
Thanks to the use of shelves, even a small bathroom becomes comfortable and functional
If you don’t want to drill into the tiles, you can carefully attach the shelf using suction cups. The height should be optimal so that it is comfortable to reach with your hand. If the structure has hinged doors, it must be secured so that opening the doors does not interfere with standing nearby.
A bathtub screen with shelves or drawers is an excellent solution to save space and organize things wisely
Installation specifics
Bathroom shelves of various sizes, designs, prices and functions allow you to competently organize the space of even a very small room. This is a great way to organize many items and household chemicals that are relevant for the bathroom.
Based on how the bathroom shelves are installed, they can all be divided into two types:
- hanging shelves for the bath. The best place to install such interior items is on the wall above the toilet, washing machine or cabinet with a sink on the side of the mirror. A hanger or lattice, complementing this design, can be very comfortable for storing towels. Installation of this design is quite simple; all you need is a drill and fasteners. Pre-drill holes, insert screws and hang the shelf on them. Note that when installed correctly, the hinged structure is quite reliable and can withstand high loads. But you shouldn’t abuse your luck by overloading such furniture with heavy accessories. A three-tier wall mounted shelf should be used to store light-weight bath accessories;
- A bathroom shelf built into the wall with lighting for a small bathroom is often an exclusive option, made to order by craftsmen. Similar designs have different appearances. It is especially good to install low built-in shelves under the bathtub. Such shelves for the bath allow you to rationally use the space under the bowl for storing heavy household chemicals: stylish powders, rinses. The three-tier built-in shelf looks very aesthetically pleasing.
In other words, today manufacturers produce countless shelves for bathrooms. We hope that after reading our article, it will be much easier for you to determine which one to prefer first.
Choosing shelves for different interior styles
The style in which the room is decorated plays a leading role in the choice of interior items. The bathroom is most often decorated in high-tech, country, and minimalist styles. If this is a classic direction, wooden products treated with a special impregnation to repel moisture would be ideal.
Shelves must be chosen in the general stylistic direction of the bathroom interior
If your bathroom is decorated in a light Provence style, choose a plastic design. Open shelves in the bathroom in pastel shades look simple and aesthetically pleasing; photos selected to match the design can be viewed on the Internet.
Simple shelves placed in a niche in a Provence style bathroom
Materials
It is difficult to decide on the material from which the shelf is made. As usual, we want it to be high quality, beautiful and inexpensive. You probably understand that only two out of three requests can be satisfied at the same time. Everyone has their own concept of beauty, but if your taste is not so refined as to deny plastic, then it is quite possible to combine all three requirements in plastic. But “inexpensive” is relative to, say, stainless steel. And very cheap ones can hardly be called durable.
Shelf made of glass and metal
Plastic
The good thing about plastic bathroom shelves is that you can safely hang them in the shower stall. They feel great under running water. At least put it in a bath of water. Just to ensure there are no problems with cleaning, make sure that there is a possibility of moisture drainage. There are a variety of models - floor-mounted, corner-mounted, and wall-mounted. Moreover, mounting on suction cups is available. Few people, unfortunately, hold up well. But if the tile is smooth, without relief, chances are you're in luck.
Plastic shelves can be of different shapes and installation methods
If we talk about special designs, then, perhaps, only plastic and stainless steel are used to make shelves on the sides of the bathtub. But the price of stainless steel is like that of an airplane wing. We can’t find them here, but it’s a very convenient thing. There is another option - mounted ones. These are models that can be hung on the shower partition if it is not up to the ceiling (pictured below left). Such options can still be found among metal ones, but the word “cheap” does not apply to high-quality models.
This shelf is installed on the sides of the bathroom. Everything is at hand and you don’t have to get up for soap or a washcloth
A couple more practical points. First. If your water is hard, it is better to take light shades - salt deposits are not so visible on them. The second point also concerns the choice of shelf color, but the approach is from a design point of view. If the design turns out to be boring, you can add some color with bright plastic accessories - you’ll get a “cheerful” bath. If you prefer a more restrained style, choose gray, brown, black. Play with contrasts.
Glass and mirror
Glass shelves are considered dangerous by many. Maybe so, but think about it, have you ever heard of someone hurting themselves with a glass shelf? It’s just that shelves in the bathroom are usually located in places where they are difficult to damage. Above the sink, in the corners of the bathroom. In addition, thick glass is used, which is difficult to damage. Of course, if you have children who are fidgety and experimental, then it’s probably not worth it. But if everyone is past the age of unrestrained exploration of the world, you can hang glass shelves in the bathroom without any problems.
It is impossible to split such thickness
Why are they so good? Because they look good in both large and small spaces. In small ones they provide an additional plus, since they do not visually clutter up the space. They are almost invisible. Only the holders stick out from the wall, and the shelves themselves are “weightless” and transparent.
When buying a glass shelf, you can safely look for ones with stainless steel holders and “swing” at good companies. There is not too much stainless steel there, so beauty will result in a small amount. If the price of the assembled shelf still shocks you, look for holders for glass shelves in furniture fittings stores. You can also find limiters there if you want to install them.
The models are not particularly complicated, so you can easily make them yourself
Ask the shelf itself to be cut in a glass workshop. There they will process the edges and make holes for you. Just be sure to clarify that you need it. By the way, there are colored glasses and frosted ones. So “transparency” is optional. Mirrors can also be used. Or patterned glass, and to reduce cleaning problems, turn the “patterned” side down.
From a maintenance point of view, glass is a normal material. But if the water is hard, marks and stains remain. In this case, do not take “transparent” ones, it will be easier with frosted ones.
Metal shelves
The most popular and perhaps the most difficult type to choose. It's not about the form, but about the choice of manufacturer. Metal bathroom shelves can be:
- made of stainless steel;
- chrome plated (regular steel or brass with a coating layer);
- enameled;
- with powder coating.
Metal shelves
The most durable ones are stainless steel shelves. But high-quality ones are very expensive, and there are no “average” ones in price. The assortment includes cheap ones and then very expensive ones with a sharp price difference. Prices differ by 5 times or more. Cheap ones are stainless steel that rusts. First at the welding points, then further, because there are few alloying metals, and during welding they also burned out. Well, the expensive ones are those that are made of metal with normal properties, and even welded in a protective environment.
In the middle of the price range are chrome shelves. Everything is fine for the first six months. And then, if the quality is not too high, the coating will peel off and rust will appear. This is if the steel is coated with chrome. If it is brass, then over time a greenish tint appears, which cannot be removed by anything. Domestic shelves suffer from this. European manufacturers don’t have this problem, but the price is almost the same as good stainless steel, so there’s no point in buying them. I just liked the model.
The variety of designs is also not too great - usually grids
Enameled and powder-coated metal shelves are an economical option. They cost quite a bit, but they don’t last long either. In theory, powder coating should hold up well, but somehow we haven’t seen any good ones yet. It will climb in literally six months.
If we talk about manufacturers of metal shelves for the bathroom, you can buy expensive ones without much doubt. In the sense that they are usually of good quality. If you want the ones that have already been tested, here they are:
- SMEDBO (Smedbo) has an average price range (as for high-quality products), good quality and a wide range (in the catalog it is definitely wide).
- Groe is more expensive, but beautiful and lasts a long time.
- Hansgrohe - very beautiful and high quality, but very expensive.
Of course, there are other manufacturers of metal bath shelves, but there is no reliable operating experience, so we will not name them. If you have any proven brands, please write in the comments. Or, conversely, there is a negative operating experience. In any case, it will be useful for everyone.
Wooden
We practically do not consider wooden shelves. We are used to the fact that wood in the bathroom is impractical. But it is used outdoors, used to make decking around the pool. The operating conditions there are much worse. It’s just that now there are means that can make wood insensitive to water. And these are not varnishes. Or rather, not only them.
Although we don’t associate wood with a bathroom, it looks great here
Wood treated with special oil is not covered with a film, remains “rough” to the touch, but ceases to absorb moisture. She is not afraid of either water or steam. The wood texture remains, the color is optional. You can leave it “native”, you can make it darker/lighter, or add some shade. In general, there are options.
Made from artificial stone
Another unusual material for bathroom shelves is artificial stone. There are no more questions here - he is definitely not afraid of water. It’s just heavy, so such shelves require walls with good load-bearing capacity. They can be installed on brackets or embedded studs.
Shelves made of artificial stone. The color can be chosen as desired, as well as the size and shape
They are not on sale, but you can order them according to your size and desire from companies that make sinks. Just check with them about the technology. An artificial stone in which the mineral component (crushed stone, quartz sand, etc.) will be at least 80% will be used normally. The remaining 20% is a synthetic binder. And it’s good if it’s acrylic resin (copolymers).
Open and closed
If we talk about open models, such shelves are distinguished by the absence of doors and walls on the sides. This is the most convenient device for placing the main necessary parts: shower gel, shampoo, soap, etc. Most often, open shelves can be wall-mounted, forged, or glass. They are supplemented with special hangers and hooks for washcloths, and grilles.
Open shelves are primarily intended for storing items used daily
Closed structures are complemented by cabinets with sides, top lids and doors (sliding, compartment-type or simple hinged). If desired, you can install lighting.
If the bathroom is small, the ideal solution is a closed cabinet - a compartment, with a built-in grille or hooks, which is compact in size and does not take up additional space with hinged doors.
Very convenient and practical designs with pull-out shelves that can be placed in any nook and cranny of the bathroom
Natural wood and its imitations
Special water-repellent impregnations and durable varnish coatings allow you to use natural wood to make bathroom furniture. Such designs are expensive, but:
- ideal for classic interiors;
- make the environment cozier, more comfortable;
- provide the bathroom with a respectable, solid look.
The designs are complemented by openwork metal elements, giving the design maximum attractiveness.
Wooden shelves will make the atmosphere more comfortable
In the production of shelves, strong, durable MDF boards and moisture-resistant plasterboard are also used. In order to provide protection and decent aesthetics, moisture-proof materials that imitate wood texture are used in the finishing.
Corner floating shelves on the wall
Decorative corner shelves, which are intended for the bathroom, can be of several variations: cabinets, racks or shelves. They are similar in appearance to floor structures, but differ in shape - they look like a triangle, and the facade is located at an acute angle towards the two walls of the room. The most common option is a simple corner shelf, which is compactly placed in any corner of the room, perhaps even above the bathtub or toilet.
These shelves are quite durable and designed to hold fairly heavy objects. The material for their manufacture can be plastic, metal, wood, glass or all sorts of combinations
There are convenient options for placement inside the shower stall, but you need to carefully select the material of manufacture: wood, MDF, chrome surfaces will not work - they do not tolerate large amounts of moisture.
Materials for making bathroom shelves
Modern manufacturers have a large selection of materials for making this furniture. The following are used to create structures:
- polymers,
- glass,
- metal,
- natural wood,
- MDF boards,
- drywall.
Bathroom floor shelf made of natural wood
Each material has certain advantages and disadvantages. These factors need to be taken into account when choosing furniture for your bathroom.
Wall-mounted or mounted
Suspended wall-mounted structures are ideally combined with small-sized rooms - this is a good design solution when there is a shortage of free space. There are many options for such designs:
- dryers;
- wall-mounted closed cabinets;
- towel dryers;
- small shelves;
- steel hangers.
You can store light items on hanging shelves, but for heavy ones it is better to use built-in or floor-mounted structures
Cabinets are located above the plumbing, washing machine or sink. You can choose any interior solution. They provide order and help avoid clutter, giving the room comfort. Materials that are used most often: chipboard, in rare cases plastic or mirror.
Advantages of metal structures
Metals can withstand difficult bathroom conditions without loss. Structures can be made of steel alloys, which are coated with a protective chrome coating or polymer powder dyes. This prevents the appearance of rust and allows the furniture to maintain its original appearance for many years.
An excellent option are stainless steel bathroom shelves. This material:
- does not corrode,
- has excellent aesthetic characteristics,
- fits perfectly with sanitary equipment,
- fits well with modern styles.
A metal shelf fits well into a modern style
Metals can be combined with any materials: wood, glass, plastic.
Floor structures
There are a lot of options here:
- racks;
- bookcases;
- dryers;
- cabinets;
- shelves above the bath;
- shelves for the bathroom.
Each of the options has its own subtleties and nuances, directly dependent on the purpose of the product. If we talk about a bookcase, then with their help you can competently fill the free space and compactly place all the items inside. If free areas have formed under the washbasin or bathtub, a small floor structure will look harmonious in the set.
Floor shelves will come in handy in a spacious bathroom
Corner models of floor shelves will fit well into a small bathroom
There may also be options for open shelves that are connected to each other by a stainless steel frame. Used for storing home textiles, bed linen or towels. On the lower tiers of the shelves there is space for storing household chemicals and cosmetics.
Specially designed floor shelves designed for installation above a toilet or above a washing machine
The benefits of making bathroom shelves yourself
There are many benefits to making your own bathroom shelves. This option for decorating a room allows you to take into account all the nuances and create a design that will perfectly match:
- features of the layout, area, design;
- purpose of furniture;
- financial capabilities.
This guarantees ease of use and impeccable harmony. In addition, a shelf made according to your own sketch will definitely be unique. This is one of the requirements of modern fashion.
A shelf made according to your own sketch will be unique
Homemade furniture has other important advantages. Creating a design yourself allows you to save costs on decorating your bathroom. Exact matching of sizes and shapes eliminates the need for adjustments and modifications.
Built-in shelves
Built-in products are the best option for a small bathroom. This way you can save space, arrange things and create a cozy atmosphere. Focus on the thickness of the walls - the depth of the structure depends on this. It is possible to make a combined type model: slightly extend some of the shelves. Installation is carried out anywhere in the room. It looks aesthetically pleasing, neat and original. For decoration, you can use decorative stone or lay out a mosaic.
Built-in shelves are placed in niches and can be made of the same material as the niche, as well as glass, wood or stainless steel
Plastic in the manufacture of bathroom shelves
The high popularity of plastic models is due to several advantages of such products. The main advantages are provided by the technological features of the material. Polymers:
- do not collapse under the influence of water, elevated temperatures, or chemicals;
- excellent coloring and molding;
- have low cost.
The plastic bathroom shelf does not require complicated maintenance; any dirt can be easily removed from it. Any design can be made from this material; such furniture is offered in a variety of shapes and styles. A wide range of colors guarantees an excellent choice for a specific interior. Shelves made of polymers are inexpensive and affordable for everyone.
Shelves made of plastic do not require complex maintenance
The range of plastic models includes designs for various interior styles. You can choose successful options for romantic Provence, fashionable high-tech, practical minimalism, etc.
How to choose the material for bathroom shelves
You must select the material solely to suit your taste. It is important to consider moisture resistance, strength and the number of items that will be located on the shelves.
The closer the shelf is located to the water source, the more moisture resistant the material for its manufacture should be.
Glass shelves
Glass has excellent performance characteristics and visually makes the room wider. This is a very thin and fragile material that must be used wisely: it may not withstand heavy loads on the base. Glass models require additional care, careful and careful handling. There are a lot of designs of such structures, so everyone can choose something for themselves. The combination of glass with chrome surfaces and a wooden frame looks great.
Illuminated glass shelves look especially attractive and can become the highlight of a bathroom interior.
Bathroom shelf made of PVC pipes
Plastic products are easy to use and easy to maintain. They can be painted as you wish and given any shape. But it is worth remembering that plastic loses its original shape over time. Despite this disadvantage, such products are very popular among buyers. When choosing, you need to take into account several details: the manufacturing company and quality, since plastic does not always have a good cost-quality ratio. A good option is shelves with small holes that allow excess liquid to drain.
You can make such a shelf from PVC pipes with your own hands
Metal shelves
Embedding a metal shelf is an ideal solution, as it has an excellent aesthetic appearance, is characterized by wear resistance and good technical characteristics. The only drawback: metal products corrode over time and a limescale deposit forms on them. In addition, the shelves are much more expensive than plastic or other similar models. They are a little more difficult to care for, which is also important.
Chrome bathroom shelf in modern style
Experts recommend buying metal shelves with a chrome coating - a special composition will help avoid the appearance of plaque, rye, and maintain the appearance in perfect condition.
Choose chrome shelves for a high-tech style bathroom. If the shelf is forged, it will look great in the Provence or Country style.
Hanging shelf on a metal frame with wooden drawers for a retro-style bathroom
Wooden shelves
Wood is an environmentally friendly material that fits perfectly into different styles. It is pre-treated, making it resistant to moisture, and varnished. This shelf will look harmonious in any bathroom.
Wooden shelves will be appreciated by lovers of comfort and adherents of natural materials.
Velcro shelves
There is a good and budget alternative to expensive designs - shelves with suction cups. They are suitable for any room and can be of different shapes. They are easy to install and dismantle, remove for maintenance (washing) and move to another corner of the room.
Shelves with suction cups are designed for small things - sponges, brushes, small bottles and vials
There are metal corner or non-corner shelves with Velcro, plastic is used. Depending on your needs, you can choose multi-tiered or single-tiered; the total number varies from 1 to 6 levels. Focus on the size of the bathroom - perhaps 1 or 2 tiers are enough.
Glass and ceramics
The ceramic product looks neat and expensive, is easy to care for and easy to install.
Ceramic toothbrush rack with towel rack
Finding your ideal shelf is not difficult: the modern market offers a lot of variations for any interior solution. Focus on its purpose: compact and convenient arrangement of all the necessary little things, household chemicals and cosmetics.
Design options
Today, furniture manufacturers create different options for shelves in the bathroom. A set of shampoos and shower gels, creams, washcloths, graters, towels, cotton swabs and discs are placed here. The shelf may come complete with a hanger with towels or a grille. All of them can be divided into several groups. Let's describe them in more detail.
Corner three-tier
Such backlit models allow you to intelligently use the corners of the room, which often remain unused and inaccessible to humans. In order to prevent idle space in the corners, which can and should be used for storing bath accessories, many experienced housewives choose corner designs. Very practical are models in which the grille acts as a base and there is a hanger for washcloths. Such products may have some features in their structure. They can be hung on the wall using fasteners, which requires making holes in the wall using a drill after installing the tiles.
Installation of such pieces of furniture for the bathroom can be carried out using vacuum suction cups included in the kit with the product. Products with suction cups simply stick tightly to the wall decoration, that is, the use of such vacuum fasteners allows you to maintain its integrity.
Corner shelves with suction cups, which have a hanger for washcloths and a grid, are very convenient to use, although sometimes cheap models with suction cups can come off the wall and simply collapse. Therefore, you should not overload such models; limit yourself to placing a set of shampoos and creams here.
Shelves with suction cups or fasteners can be telescopic, which gives a person the opportunity to reach even the top shelf without much difficulty. It is simply pressed between the top of the bathtub and the ceiling surface.
Stationary floor
They may be considered more furniture than bathroom accessories. This is a very roomy, tall, multi-tiered design that allows you to successfully arrange a set of bath accessories of varying heights and shapes. It’s good to arrange two compact shelves under the bath. It is also convenient to store household chemicals here.
Inside such a design, even a hanger with towels or a grill is relevant. It is especially good to organize a stationary shelf in a niche in a small bathroom. The floor shelf can be attached to the wall or mounted in a corner. These are compact and highly functional products, however, they also have one drawback: it is better not to choose them for a small bathroom, since such designs hide a significant part of the space.
Open and closed
Beautiful illuminated open plan bathroom shelves have no side walls or doors. It is convenient to place on them a set of the most frequently used accessories in the bathroom: shampoo, creams, napkins, etc. Often these are glass, forged wall structures, which often contain a grille and a hanger for washcloths.
Closed products look like a cabinet with sides, a bottom and a top lid, and can also be supplemented with a cabinet with doors. The latter can be hinged or sliding (compartment), complemented by lighting.
For a small-sized bathroom, it is better to choose a compartment option with a built-in hanger or grille, since it has very compact parameters even when open due to the fact that opening the doors does not require additional free space.
Closed
Open
