Adding functional and stylish shelves to your bathroom can maximize storage and enhance its design aesthetic. With careful planning and selection of shelving ideas, you can create an organized, clutter-free, and visually appealing minimalist bathroom. This article explores some of the best ways to incorporate shelves in a small bathroom without compromising style or utility.
Why Install Shelves in Your Bathroom?
Installing shelves in the bathroom serves multiple purposes:
Maximize Storage
Bathrooms often have limited storage space. Cabinets get filled up quickly while countertops get cluttered with toiletries and supplies. Shelves create additional storage real estate on the walls. You can use shelves near the sink for holding toiletries, above the toilet for extra rolls, and in the shower for holding bath accessories. The vertical space opens up storage capacity without taking up floor area.
Increase Accessibility
Items stored in cabinets or vanities can get buried behind other items. Shelves make contents easily visible and accessible since everything is openly displayed. Oft-used items can be kept within arm’s reach. No more rummaging through drawers or cabinets to find what you need.
Maintain Organization
The open nature of shelves allows you to neatly arrange, categorize and organize your bathroom essentials. You can group similar items together and quickly notice when something needs restocking or reorganizing. The visibility encourages maintaining tidiness.
Elevate Aesthetics
Artfully styled shelves add visual interest to plain bathroom walls. They serve as beautiful displays for cherished bath accessories, floral arrangements, or decor items. The textures, colors and shapes of shelf contents and hardware create captivating focal points.
Customizable Design
Shelves provide almost endless options for personalizing your bathroom’s look and utility. You can customize shelves by mounting location, size, materials, colors and configurations. Be creative with shapes, staggering levels, lighting and more.
Bathroom Shelf Ideas to Maximize Small Space
Here are some savvy shelf ideas to maximize functionality within a minimalist bathroom design:
1. Corner Shelving Unit
Corner shelves effectively utilize awkward, empty wall corners. The triangular shelving unit fits neatly into corners without protruding. The graduated shelves ascend in size from top to bottom.
Keep frequently used items on the easily accessible lower shelves. Use the upper shelves for less often used items or decorative bath accessories. The vertical storage capacity maximizes the available space.
2. Floating Shelves
Floating shelves mounted to the wall appear lightweight and streamlined. They create open storage space beneath without taking up floor area. Their simple styling suits modern, minimalist baths.
Use floating shelves near the sink to hold toiletries, skin care products and grooming tools. Or mount them inside the shower as holders for shampoo, soap and loofahs. Select shelves in water-resistant materials like bamboo, metal or plastic.
3. Ladder Shelf
Ladder-style shelving leans vertically against the wall in a tapering A-frame silhouette. The staggered shelves look airy yet still provide ample storage.
Place a ladder shelf near the bathtub to hold candles, plants and bath accessories. Or put one next to the sink for open storage of rolled towels, toilet paper and cleaning supplies. For a modern look, choose a ladder shelf with stainless steel poles and wood shelves.
4. Wall-Mounted Shelf with Towel Bar
Maximize functionality and space with a combined shelf and towel bar fixture. The shelf provides storage while the handy towel rods keep towels readily available.
Mount it close to the shower or bathtub for easy access. Use the shelf to hold bath accessories or toiletries. The towel bars allow grab-and-go drying convenience. This combo fixture consolidates necessities in one space-saving unit.
5. Floating Corner Shelf
Maximize unused corner space with floating corner shelves. The triangular shelves tuck into a corner without cluttering the room.
Use the shelves to display live plants, bath accessories, or artwork. The greenery and decor items soften the corner while utilizing the dead space. Floating construction looks clean-lined and modern.
6. Cubby Shelving Unit
Gain storage and style with cubby hole shelving. The square openings offer dedicated spaces for organizing bathroom gear. The cubbies tidy everything into organized compartments.
Use above the toilet for extra toilet paper storage. Or mount near the sink for sorting toiletries, makeup and grooming supplies. Labeled cubbies help identify contents at a glance. Add decorator baskets or bins to hide clutter.
Choosing Shelf Locations and Mounting Positions
Proper shelf placement is key for enhancing usefulness and visual appeal. Consider these tips on optimal shelf locations:
Around the sink – Install shelves above or near the vanity to hold toiletries, skin products and grooming tools. Mount them high enough so you can easily see yourself in the mirror.
Inside the shower – Shelves mounted inside the shower keep bathing products within arm’s reach. Position them at eye-level or higher where they won’t get constantly soaked.
Next to the toilet – Shelf space adjacent to the toilet is ideal for stashing extra toilet paper rolls and hand towels.
Above the toilet – Wall space above the toilet is often underutilized. Take advantage by mounting shelves here for extra storage capacity.
Inside cabinet doors – Use shelves to maximize storage inside cabinet door interiors. Door-mounted shelves create instant organization.
Also consider the best positioning for shelf functionality:
- Mount shelves above eye-level to keep items from cluttering your field of vision.
- Install shelves within easy reach for convenient access to frequently used items.
- Position shelves at varying heights for expanded storage real estate.
Bathroom Shelf Materials and Styles
Shelves come in a diverse range of materials, colors, and designs. Choose shelving options that coordinate with your bathroom’s decor and suit its functional needs.
Materials
- Wood – Quality wood shelves like bamboo, teak or maple add warmth. Choose moisture-resistant wood that can handle high humidity.
- Metal – Sleek aluminum, stainless steel or chrome wire shelves have modern appeal. Some metals can corrode in wet areas.
- Glass – Glass shelves lend an open, lightweight look. Use tempered glass for durability and safety.
- Plastic – Inexpensive plastic shelves are water-resistant and easy to install. Options like Lucite have upscale appeal.
- Concrete – Concrete shelves are trendy for their utilitarian, industrial vibe. Seal them to make impervious to moisture.
- Marble – Elegant marble shelves make a glamorous statement, though the stone can be prone to staining.
Styles
- Floating – Floating shelves appear light, airy and streamlined on the wall.
- Wall-mounted – Versatile shelves mounted directly on the wall offer open storage.
- Corner – Make use of awkward corners with shelving cut to fit snugly inside.
- Ladder – Ladder-shaped shelves with criss-cross supports have vintage appeal.
- Cubbies – Cubby hole shelves organize items into dedicated compartments.
- Rail mounted – Rail-mounted shelves have industrial chic style.
- Curved – Graceful curved shelves soften hard corners and edges.
Design Tips for a Minimalist Bathroom Shelf Display
Follow these tips for creating a functional yet minimalist shelf display:
Limit Shelf Quantity
Too many shelves clutter the space and make it feel chaotic. Show design restraint by limiting shelf quantity to only what’s needed. Just a few meticulously placed shelves create cleaner lines.
Conceal Clutter
Prevent shelves from appearing jumbled and messy. Use baskets, bins, boxes or other vessels to corral smaller items out of sight. This looks streamlined and decluttered.
Coordinate Colors
Choose shelf colors that align with the bathroom’s color scheme. For example, white shelves pair well with neutrals while black shelves suit more modern spaces. Consistent colors look cohesive.
Prioritize Neutrals
Neutral colored shelves tend to appear more minimalist. Crisp white, soft natural wood and matte black shelves blend into the background. Save bold colors for shelf contents like flower pots or artwork.
Consider Mixed Heights
Vary shelf mounting heights for visual interest. Try combining a set of floating shelves at different levels or staggered corner shelves. The varied levels break up the flat plane.
Maximize Vertical Space
Stack shelves vertically with smaller items on top and larger ones below. This consolidated tower utilizes wall space more efficiently than sprawling horizontally.
Light Strategically
Thoughtfully placed lighting transforms shelves into focal features. Try under-cabinet lights, sconces or glass shelves illuminated from inside the wall.
Clever Bathroom Shelf Ideas and Hacks
Get inspired by these innovative shelf design ideas to maximize your bathroom storage:
Repurpose Ladder as Shelf
Give an old wooden ladder new life as a bathroom shelf. Lean the ladder vertically against the wall. The rungs become perfect holders for rolled washcloths, bath towels and toilet paper rolls. It’s a charming vintage-style storage solution.
Use Plumbing Pipe for Industrial Shelf
Achieve an industrial-chic look while saving money by making shelves from plumbing pipes and fittings. Connect the pipes with elbow joints to make ladder-style supports. Rest reclaimed wood boards on top for shelf surfaces. Customize the shape and size to suit your space.
Install Windowsill Shelves
Take advantage of unused windowsill space with custom fitted shelves. Built-in windowsill shelving looks cleaner than freestanding shelves. Use them to display bath accessories and plants. Just be sure to waterproof any wood to prevent warping.
DIY Concrete Shelf
Add urban edge with easy DIY concrete shelves. Build a melamine form, seal the edges with caulk, and pour thin layers of concrete mix. Once dried and removed from the form, seal the concrete with waterproofing sealer. Now you have custom industrial-style shelves on a budget.
Display Collections
Make use of narrow wall spaces between studs to display cherished collections. Mount short floating shelves or small ledges to provide platforms for displaying pebbles, sea glass, or other bath-themed collectibles. The collections become fascinating focal features.
5 Shelf Styling Tips for a Soothing, Spa-Like Bathroom
Shelves styled with care can elevate your bathroom’s soothing, spa-like ambiance. Follow these tips:
1. Include natural elements – Adorn shelves with organic touches like woven baskets, driftwood, stones, live plants, or flowers. Natural materials are inherently calming.
2. Use neutral colors – Stick with soft hues like white, tan, gray and light wood tones. Avoid bright, bold colors that feel too stimulating.
3. Incorporate aromatherapy – Place scented candles, essential oils, or eucalyptus bundles on shelves to engage the senses.
4. Provide mood lighting – Install subtle lighting like mini pendant lights or rope lights to create a relaxing glow.
5. Display special mementos – Keep shelves looking tranquil by only including a few cherished keepsakes or art objects with zen symbolism.
Maximizing Small Bathroom Storage
Besides shelves, also utilize these savvy solutions to creatively increase storage capacity in a small bathroom:
- Optimize under-sink space with stackable bins and organizers.
- Add a bath caddy across the tub for bath accessory storage.
- Use over-the-toilet shelves and cabinets to capitalize on wasted wall space.
- Install vertical towel racks like ladder or tree designs to eliminate floor footprint.
- Hang a wall-mounted cabinet for tucking away first aid or cleaning supplies.
- Maximize cabinet storage with pull-out drawers, lazy susans, and door racks.
- Hide plumbing under pedestal sinks to create storage for cleaning tools.
FAQ About Bathroom Shelf Ideas
What types of items should be stored on bathroom shelves?
Bathroom shelves are ideal for holding frequently used items like toiletries, skin care products, bath towels, toothbrush holders, soap dispensers, tissue boxes, and cleaning supplies.
How high should bathroom shelves be installed?
Mount bathroom shelves at least 5 feet high or above for adequate clearances. Shelves above a toilet or tub can be slightly higher around 6 feet. Items you access regularly like toothbrushes can be lower around 4 feet high.
How deep should bathroom shelves be?
The depth of bathroom shelves can range from 4 to 16 inches. Shallower shelves around 4 to 6 inches work well above toilets or for wall-mounted units. Deeper 8 to 12 inch shelves are useful above sinks or for freestanding units to hold more items.
Should shelves be installed inside the shower?
Yes, water-resistant shower shelves are very useful for holding shampoo, soap, razors, and other shower necessities within easy reach. Use materials like enameled steel, plastic, resin, or teak that won’t warp from moisture.
What should be avoided when styling bathroom shelves?
Avoid cluttering shelves excessively. Only keep daily essentials on display and tuck other items into drawers and cabinets. Also avoid overly embellished accessories or brightly colored bottles that appear distracting.
Conclusion
Strategically installed shelves are a space-savvy solution for squeezing every bit of storage and style from your bathroom. Take advantage of the ample vertical wall space that cabinets neglect.
Focus shelves near key areas like the sink, toilet and shower to store daily essentials right where you need them. Choose materials that can withstand the humid environment. Glass, metal and wood shelves add an extra design punch.
Prioritize neat organization and simple styling on shelves to maintain a minimalist aesthetic. Conceal small items in baskets and trays so surfaces don’t appear jumbled. A few artfully styled shelves create calming focal points on the walls to offset the hard surfaces.
With clever shelf placement and design, you can maximize storage capacity and functionality within the constraints of a small bathroom. Wall shelves enable even the most minimalist bathrooms to feel tranquil and spacious rather than cramped.