Shelves for the bathroom: types, selection and DIY

Any bathroom should not only be attractive, but also as functional as possible. Of course, European-standard repairs and good plumbing solve some of the problems, but it is impossible to do without furniture when arranging a room. This article will focus on functional shelves that play a decorative role in the bathroom.

When it comes to shelves for bathrooms, images of different designs appear in the head. These are open models, closed, floor, wall, shelving, corner structures, metal products and options for suction cups. Regardless of the external features, all models must meet certain criteria:

• moisture resistance;
• strength;
• appropriate sizes;
• operational safety;
• attractive appearance;
• heat resistance.

The main purpose of bathroom shelves is to store bath accessories, such as towels or body care products. With the right choice of design, the room is transformed, acquires a visual increase.

Depending on the fastener system, the shelves are divided into several groups.

• floor, they are stationary;
• angular;
• mounted.

Floor structures have several distinguishing characteristics.

• Shelves can be open type with a common frame. You can put them along the toilet or near the sink. These designs store towels and bathing kits.
• Short retractable shelves are ideal for small bathrooms. Such shelves lend themselves to transformation, easily change the size and location of the room. Most often, the sliding shelves are added with small wheels for ease of use.
• Closed shelves - cabinets are not very popular when decorating bathrooms. An exception are structures located under the sink. They are not convenient, as they take up a lot of space. But on the other hand, closed cabinets hide communications.
• Shelves in shape resemble shelves, only have larger sizes. Accordingly, the installation of racks is carried out in large bathrooms.
• In the shelves under the bathroom you can keep household chemicals, buckets and rags. And to hide towels and hygiene items there will be wrong, and uncomfortable.

Corner designs are preferred for use in small bathrooms. They do not take up much space, they look very neat. Quite often, corner-type shelves are hung above the washing machine and bath bowl. Traditionally, in corner models, there are several tiers with an elegant fence made of metal gratings and perforation of the bottom of the shelves.

Among the many types of corner shelf mounts in great demand suction cup models. The advantage of such structures is the ease of changing their location. Also, for such an installation, you do not have to drill walls.

Another interesting kind of corner shelves is telescopic design installed in a dead corner. Telescopic shelves are made of plastic material. Such models are practical and safe. In their design can be present 4 or 5 tiers, so you can abandon bulky cabinets and cabinets.

Hinged shelves may have a built-in type of installation. Many claim that the recessed structures on the wall are the most convenient and ergonomic. True, to organize such an idea is possible only at the stage of repair.

The design of the bathroom shelves is also divided by the type of fixtures. Products can be fixed on suction cups or using brackets. The Velcro device holds firmly to the wall with a smooth tile. The suction cups themselves are covered with special caps, which gives the design an aesthetic appearance.

Fans will enjoy bathing procedures tray shelf. We are talking about a board of small width, fixed on the sides of the bathing bowl.

Large bathrooms can accommodate bathroom set with hinged shelves and floor stands. A large mirror is hung in the central part. For maximum ease of use, the headset comes with a comfortable chair with a soft seat where you can relax and tidy up.

It is very difficult to determine the material from which the shelves for the bathroom should be made. I always want them to be durable, beautiful and inexpensive. And meeting these needs is extremely difficult at the same time.

Shelves from the presented material are ideal for showers, because moisture does not matter to the plastic. It is important to consider that there should be a recess on the shelves to drain accumulated water. By the type of construction, plastic shelves can be floor, corner and wall. The connecting frame is made of stainless steel.

There are several more practical points that are very important to pay attention to. If the water in the tap is hard, it is better to choose light colors of the products. Salt deposits leave no traces on white and beige shelves.

Many people consider glass constructions dangerous. Of course, with improper use, even plastic products can be harmful. However, glass shelves and mirror models have not harmed anyone.

A distinctive feature of glass and mirror shelves is the thickness of the material. It is impossible to break the product in half.

In the factory sets of shelves there are all the necessary elements for installation. And for the independent manufacture of structures you will have to go to a glass workshop. The craftsmen will not only cut out the required dimensions of the shelves, but will also process their edges, as well as make mounting holes of the required sizes.

Do not forget that there are colored types of glasses. And on their surface you can apply a picture or order an engraving. The only drawback of glass and mirror structures is the high cost.

The most common and most complex material used in the manufacture of shelves for bathrooms. Modern metal models are made of stainless steel, chrome steel, brass or have powder spraying. You can even find iron models on the market, but they are not in demand.

The most durable are considered shelves stainless steel. A high-quality product will be quite expensive, but it will last its owners for more than a dozen years. Budget options can not boast a high level of strength. After 6-8 years, you will have to change the product to a new one.

In the middle of the price range are located chrome shelves. But their beauty will be visible only six months. Then the spraying starts to peel off, rust will occur.

On shelves with brass base a greenish tint gradually appears. Unfortunately, getting rid of it is impossible. Enamel shelves and powder coated products belong to the economy class. They are inexpensive, in quality leave much to be desired.

When choosing manufacturers of high-quality metal shelves, one should consider such well-known brands as Smedbo, Grohe and Hansgrohe. Of course, there are other manufacturers of metal structures, but it is impossible to guarantee that their goods will be of high quality.

Wooden shelves for decorating bathrooms are very rarely considered. Everyone is accustomed to the fact that a tree in contact with moisture loses its attractive appearance. However, today there are special tools that can be used to process the surface of the wood, so that it is no longer sensitive to moisture.

Shelves treated with oil are not coated with a smooth film. Their surface remains rough, but the material ceases to absorb moisture.

A very unusual material that is not afraid of moisture and prolonged contact with water. However, it is important to consider that stone shelves are very heavy. They should be hung on walls with good bearing capacity.

It is impossible to purchase stone structures of shelves in the store. You will need to contact a specialized workshop and provide the design of the desired product.

This material is used in the manufacture of cabinets for open and closed type. The shelves themselves may have a base of a different material, however, the frame is made of drywall. It’s impossible to call this material durable. Contact with moisture after a certain period of time will make itself felt.

There are a lot of manufacturers of plumbing, furniture and bathroom accessories. However, not everyone is ready to offer quality products. And so that there are no questions when choosing, we suggest that you get acquainted with the most sought-after brands that produce high-quality shelves.

The undisputed leader in a huge list of European manufacturers of plumbing and accessories for bathrooms. The products of this brand are highly appreciated by consumers for the quality of designs and custom designs. The Villeroy & Boch collection has burgundy-colored furniture, semi-circular cabinets with bright turquoise colors and much more.

The Spanish brand Roca is ready to offer furniture with imitation of a wooden surface. The entire range of the company is created from moisture-resistant chipboard. In the manufacturer's line there is a wide variety of floor cabinets, pencil cases and modular kits. All Roca products are divided into 3 price ranges: economy, middle and premium. But despite this, all designs are endowed with moisture resistant properties, a high level of strength and quality.

Another brand that manufactures bathroom shelves. Cersanit's products are based on chipboard with a moisture resistant base. The entire range of the brand is divided into 2 groups: designs for miniature rooms and products for spacious rooms.

The presented brand is engaged in the manufacture of wooden and bamboo furniture, allowing you to bring an atmosphere of warmth and comfort to the room. The main advantage of this furniture is its environmental friendliness and high quality material. In addition, a wide variety of shades will allow everyone to choose the right designs for their own bathroom.

The Triton brand produces compact furniture. Most of the products are made of laminated particleboard, enameled. In the manufacturer's assortment there are a lot of floor and wall structures.

The best Russian manufacturer of furniture for bathrooms. All brand products are focused only on domestic consumers, which is why the sizes of the proposed designs correspond to the dimensions of most Russian bathrooms. The collection is based on wooden shelves, the surface of which is covered with special moisture-resistant enamel.

Chinese manufacturers do not supply the highest quality shelves to the world market, but Godi has managed to change the public’s opinion on this issue. The entire range of the brand is characterized by a high level of strength., multifunctionality, safety, resistance to moisture, and also elegant appearance. The only disadvantage of Godi products is the high price.

The brand is in the production of corner glass shelves. On the one hand, it may seem that this is a bad option, but in fact everything looks different. The number of tiers ranges from 1 to 4. All hardware is made of chrome steel, which looks very attractive.

The Tatkraft brand was highly praised by consumers, and suction cup shelves were especially loved by customers.Products are tightly fixed on the walls, do not slide down even under heavy loads. The structures themselves are made of plastic, there are models with a chrome base.

A world-famous brand, characterized by the availability and variety of furniture, including shelves. Specialists of the brand develop unique products that are practical and versatile. In a wide variety of Ikea's assortment there are closed shelving, built-in structures under the sink, wood products.

According to statistics, most consumers are looking for furniture for a small bathtub. But there are those who want to transform a bathroom of large dimensions. For this reason, they need to turn to the Labor Legno brand. The assortment of the company has many floor and hinged shelves. They can be tall or medium.

The bathroom is a room with high humidity. So, when choosing furniture, moisture-resistant constructions should be preferred. It is important that the dimensions of the product correspond to the size of the room.

Before you go shopping, you must measure the premises. It is advisable to transfer the sketch to paper, make marks with the location of the plumbing and communications. Based on these data and the stylistic decision, it will be possible to choose the most suitable design.

An important factor is the material of the product. If the shelves will be manufactured independently, you should purchase all the necessary elements to create the structure. For instance, to create wooden shelves you will need boards and yacht varnish. But on the other hand, it is not advisable to choose wood or metal for the manufacture of bathroom shelves.

For a small bathtub, it is better to choose built-in models. Firstly, they are ergonomic, and secondly, they are safe. The shelf above the bowl of the bathtub provides easy access to hygiene products during bathing.

Someone acquires plastic or glass structures to place shampoos and other cosmetics. Others need shelves for storing powders or towels. But even closed models must match the color scheme of the bathroom.

The main task of shelves in bathrooms is to store hygiene and cleaning products. But in addition to functionality, the design must comply with the overall style of the interior. Each direction is characterized by its own distinctive features, expressed in furniture design:

• for classic style interior, you need to choose simple forms of shelves made of wood, stone or glass;
• for romantic style it is important that there are no sharp corners of the structure;
• minimalism involves the use of small shelves made of glass or MDF;
• high tech implies cubic forms of furniture;
• neoclassic and art deco require the presence of wooden elements.

To visually increase the height of the bathroom, furniture with horizontal sections must be installed. Glass shelves will help to visually expand the space.

Shelves in the bathroom should be freely available to all family members. Better if they are located above the bath. So during bathing it will be more convenient to get the necessary hygiene products. Others want to hang shelves over the sink, mount structures in the box, or install them over the toilet.

You can carry out installation work with your own hands, without the help of masters. And so that everything goes smoothly, you must first determine the location of the structure.

The next step is to develop a consistent installation plan. The essence of the work depends entirely on the material. If the choice fell on a tree, the sequence of actions will occur as follows:

• on the extreme sides of the slats marks are made with a pencil in accordance with the required dimensions;
• using glue, identical blocks are fixed at the set marks;
• in the central part of each block marks are also made where it will be necessary to drill holes;
• then the structure is assembled and the product is fixed to the wall;
• finished shelves are varnished.

In the case when the shelves were made with their own hands, it is very important to consider their decorative design. “Naked” designs look uninteresting.

When decorating bathroom shelves, it is necessary to adhere to several rules.

• The openwork design in several floors will look ridiculous, especially in a room of a modern style.
• The original design will add a touch of color to the bathroom.
• For the design of wooden shelves, it is advisable to use paint, on top of which you can put an interesting image.
• As an additional decoration of the room, you can use a small vase with artificial flowers or an aquarium. The main thing is to choose one thing, busting decorative elements can make the bathroom ridiculous.
• Decorative mosaic in the design of open hinged shelves will be able to bring oriental flavor into the interior. Concise highlighting will help to complement such beauty.

Modern bathrooms are increasingly being converted into comfortable functional spaces. Now there is no need to go to spa salons. You can get a full range of procedures without leaving your home. but the secret of comfort and coziness does not lie in plumbing equipment, and in decorative elements where shelves and cabinets play an important role. They can put cosmetics, decompose bath accessories, put a variety of oils, lotions, balms. At the same time, a shelf installed near the bathroom facilitates the procedure for caring for your own body.

Finding a suitable place for mounting shelves is, in principle, easy. However, each individual design requires the placement of certain hygiene products.

• Over the sink. A pretty practical place to put a glass with a toothbrush and paste, to lay out a few elements of cosmetics and some accessories.

• Under the sink. Shelves can be either open or closed. These models help to effectively use the space under the sink. For example, put towels on them, put detergents or powder.

• Over the bathtub. It contains soap, shampoo and all the necessary tools for taking a bath. The structure should be placed in such a way that when rising, a person does not hit the corner or bottom of the shelf.

• In the shower. Such shelves can have a straight or angular shape, be suspended on brackets or fixed to the wall using suction cups.

• Over the washing machine. Very often, the wall above the washing machine remains unclaimed, but this is fundamentally wrong. Empty space must be used to its maximum potential.Robust constructions above the washing machine can hold powder and other detergents.

• Over the door. In the recent past, niches were made above the bathroom door where bath textiles could be folded. Today, this trend of the past allows you to make decorative shelves with an original design and lighting.

The existing variety of shelves for bathrooms allows you to properly organize the space of the room. In general, shelves are an ideal option to streamline hygiene products.

Mounted shelves for wall mounting are easy to install. All that is needed is a drill and fasteners, which are included with the purchased headset.

Built-in shelves are designed for small rooms. For ease of use, a recessed niche is provided with additional illumination with a separate or common switch.

Ideal execution of the angular model of shelves. Glass bottom, steel frame, safety rails. The design is very convenient and practical, especially if it is located above the bathroom.

The wooden structure processed by special technology does not absorb moisture. Outwardly it looks spectacular, in perfect harmony with the style of Art Deco.

A great way to place bath textiles in one place. The shelf above the door does not interfere with the passage, does not clutter up the space and looks elegant and aesthetically pleasing.

On how to make a simple shelf in the bathroom, see further.