As in any room, in the bathroom there are many things that need to be arranged so that they can be used at any time. But often it is the question of what to use for storing things that causes difficulty.
A more common option is shelves. Today there are many types of this furniture, so there are difficulties with the choice. Most often, shelves are made of plastic, wood, metal. But metal and wooden furniture in the bathroom is in rather difficult conditions: high humidity is contraindicated for them. Therefore, recently, tile shelves are gaining more and more popularity here. Consider their features, pros and cons.
What a shelf consists of
Installing a tile shelf is a massive undertaking. Therefore, it is worth thinking about it in advance, even before the repair. But, of course, if you really want to, then such a ceramic product can be built in the bathroom at any other time.
This shelf consists of a base, tiled. Most often, the basis is waterproof gypsum plasterboard (GKL), which you can recognize by color - green. Can be used moisture-resistant chipboard, as well as ordinary wooden bars.
There is another more difficult way - creating a foundation of concrete or gypsum.
Kinds
After reviewing the design, let's look at the main types of tile shelves.
- Embedded - These are shelves that are formed in a previously existing or specially constructed niche. A more global structure, which is part of the bathroom.
- Mounted - shelves that take less time to install but are less durable than built-in shelves. Usually mounted on a metal structure.
- Corner shelves - usually mounted in the corner on two walls. They are much easier to install, and also do not take up much space.
The properties
Before deciding to create a tiled shelf, you need to weigh the pros and cons, since then it will be difficult to change something. Consider the pros and cons of these shelves.
Pros.
- Durability. Due to the reliability of the design, a shelf made of tiles will last you a very long time. Also, it is not susceptible to corrosion due to water resistance and resistance to high temperatures.
- Security. The built-in shelf does not have sharp corners and protruding elements, so the likelihood of injury is minimized.
- Suitable for any bathroom design. The shape, size and finish of the tile shelf completely depends on your desire, which means that it will perfectly fit into the interior of your bathroom and will meet all your wishes.
- Convenience in cleaning. Care for such a shelf is very minimal, just wipe it from dust, in extreme cases - use a special tool to clean the tiles.
Minuses.
- Openness. The hinged tile shelves are open and also have a slippery surface, which means that there is a possibility that objects standing on the shelf may fall.
- The accumulation of mold. Sooner or later, mold and dirt will begin to accumulate in the seams of the tiles, which will make the shelf untidy. But this is not so scary, because the joint or sealant can be replaced, and there are also special anti-fungal agents on sale.
- Difficulty in dismantling. This is probably the most global problem. After all, if you get tired of such a regiment or you just want to change the situation, you have to start a major overhaul.
- Skills needed. The fact is that a shelf lined with tiles is difficult to do on their own, without having construction skills. Therefore, it requires the involvement of a specialist in this field.
- Not suitable for a small room. Tiled shelves require a lot of space, so they will not work for a small bathroom.
As we saw, this product has both pros and cons. Therefore, you decide whether there is a place for a tiled shelf in your bathroom.
Other features
As mentioned above, a shelf made of tiles is convenient precisely because it is designed according to your wishes. But still, you need to consider several details.
- Tile. It is clear from the name that the base of the shelf is tiled. It is best to tile it to match the color of the entire bathroom. But if you want to use a different color, then this is your business, if only it fits the general style of the interior.
- Number. You should not be limited to an ordinary niche or a single shelf. Agree, it looks pretty boring. It is better to make several levels of shelves from tiles, especially when it comes to corner options. This will create more storage space for frequently used items.
- The form. If you think that a rectangle is the only shape for a shelf, you are deeply mistaken. Shelves made of tiles (especially if the base is made of drywall) can be easily made of any shape: a triangle, a circle, an arch or a wave - this is at your discretion and imagination.
Do not make your own bathroom commonplace. Indeed, today there is a huge abundance of finishing materials and furniture. Diversify your bathroom with some unusual shelf - and you will make it unique, unlike others.
For information on how to properly stack tile shelves in the bathroom, see the video below.
