Using the bathroom would not be complete without the many different accessories we use for personal care. They all need to be stored somewhere, which means either cabinets or shelves are required.
You can make your own bathroom shelves, or buy ready-made ones. Today we will take a closer look at the first option, study interesting ideas in this direction, features of the work and much more.
Types of shelves
There are several types, or types if you will, of bathroom shelves. This is clearly noticeable if you look at the photo of DIY bathroom shelves.
Shelves can be built-in or external:
- Built-in shelves, as you might have guessed from the name, are mounted into a wall or false structure that is used for decoration.
- The second type of shelves is installed directly on the wall, and therefore they can be changed, re-hanged, and so on without any problems.
Both options are good in their own way, but are suitable for different types of premises. The first type of shelves “steals” part of the space if the recess in the wall is not architecturally provided.
This option is well suited for spacious bathrooms, which are found in private houses and some apartments.
It is worth noting that everything greatly depends on the layout, because in some private houses the bathrooms may be smaller than in expensive apartments.
Hanging shelves are well suited for regular and small bathrooms. They don’t take up much space; on the contrary, they help to gain space by placing small accessories.
At the same time, there is a huge variety of such shelves in stores. Fans of DIY and creativity should also be pleased, because with the help of such shelves you can decorate your bathroom in a very interesting and original way, which we will talk about in our article.
Types of bathroom shelves
- Floor shelves in the bathroom;
- Corner shelves for the bathroom (multi-tiered);
- Hanging shelves for the bathroom.
Floor-standing
Whatnots
Open shelves with a common metal frame. They can be mounted along the walls, above the toilet, or sink. They are used for storing towels, washcloths, gels, shampoos, etc. Shelves are also produced in a corner type. An interesting ergonomic option is a retractable bookcase. It is created according to the principle in which the shelves are modified, changing their position and size. When pulled out, the bookcase becomes large in size and is characterized by spaciousness.
Shelving
They are created like whatnots, but they look larger in size.
Shelves located under the bathtub help save space in the room. They often store household chemicals, cleaning wipes, and buckets. In order to give them an aesthetic appearance and hide everything from prying eyes, special screens are used.
Corner
These bathroom shelves are most suitable for small spaces; they help save space.
They are produced in the form of racks, whatnots, and open triangular shelves. Most often, such shelves are hung above washing machines or above the bathtub. They are produced in 2 - 3 tiers, have small sides that prevent objects from falling over the shelf. Often on sale there are shelves made of plastic or metal.
Note.
Subtypes of corner shelves include suction cup designs. They are very convenient and easy to attach to the wall. The main thing is that the suction cups themselves are of good quality, otherwise the shelf will slide off.
Mounted
These bathroom shelves are also more suitable for small spaces. For their installation on the wall, special canopies are used.
Telescopic
Bathroom shelves are installed in the far corner, the most difficult to reach, where other options do not fit. They are made from plastic, but they are equipped with a reliable fastening.
There are models with 4 – 5 tiers, and this is already a full-fledged rack. The advantage of this model is the ability to adjust the height of the structure.
Bathroom cabinets
Design with shelves and door. They are often made with a mirror, which is very convenient. To save space, they are often placed above the washbasin.
Shelves in a niche in the bathroom
Located above the bathtub there are built-in designs. They are comfortable and ergonomic. The installation of such models must be carried out at the initial stage of repair. To do this, a niche is made in the wall with plasterboard shelves in the bathroom, then everything is tiled. This design can be used to store shampoos, gels, soaps and other body cosmetics.
Designs for bathrooms
They are also divided into open and closed bathroom shelves. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some have blind doors behind which you can hide everything from prying eyes, but they look massive. Open shelves for the bathroom create the impression of an airy space, but at the same time all objects are visible.
A tray shelf is a wonderful thing for those who like to soak in a hot bath for a long time. You can put drinks, candles, a stand for a book, tablet or smartphone on it.
Types of bathroom shelves depending on material
- Plastic . Such shelves are resistant to high humidity, easy to hang and disassemble, and are inexpensive and easy to purchase. Mold and mildew do not form on plastic bathroom shelves. Opt for shelves that have a perforated bottom for free flow of water.
. Very strong and durable shelves, but the trouble is, they are not friendly with water. Therefore, chrome-plated and stainless steel structures are considered the most practical. Metal shelves with forged elements or specially aged bronze ones look very beautiful and elegant in the bathroom. These models are most suitable for classic, country and Provence styles.
Metal- Drywall . Such shelves are installed at the beginning of repair work. They are ergonomic, durable, and attractive in appearance.
- Glass and ceramics . Typically these models are produced in compact sizes. They are not affected by moisture, but are very unreliable. If handled carelessly, they may fall and break. Tempered glass is used to produce glass shelves for the bathroom, but it is more expensive. To give such models a special look, LED lighting is used.
- MDF and fiberboard . Shelves made from these materials are durable, light in weight and attractive in appearance. But they don’t like moisture, which can cause them to swell and become deformed.
- Tree . I treat such shelves with special compounds that resist high humidity. Wooden shelves are secured in the bathroom using hinges, brackets, and corners.
Color solutions for bathroom shelves can be very diverse: pastel, brightness, naturalness, etc. Nowadays you can choose whatever your heart desires. If you want to add coziness to your bathroom, choose a brown palette or wood colors.
Plastic shelves for the bathroom abound in both bright colors and pastel colors. Remember that it is best to take a plastic model that has been painted in bulk. This technology is aimed at thickening the product and giving it strength.
The pigment will remain in the structure of the material for a long time, so over time the turquoise shelf will remain the same. With the help of bright colors, you can place accents in the interior of the bathroom. Also, products can be selected directly to the style of the selected plumbing fixtures.
Hanging shelves
If you make shelves for the bathroom with your own hands, then hang them. Why? Let's start with the fact that for this we will not need to redo the repairs, which is definitely good.
Built-in shelves in themselves are not a decorative item; they are part of the entire interior, its continuation, and therefore fully correspond to the style of the room.
Yes, they can be decorated with small details, but compared to hanging shelves, they are nothing.
Now let's talk about how to make a hanging shelf for the bathroom with your own hands. There are several options here - a traditional approach and a creative one.
Let's start with the first one, because for many it is much closer. In this case, you do not need a creative streak or wild imagination. All you need to do is go online and find drawings or a ready-made hanging shelf design. Next, you select materials and begin home production of interior parts.
The second option looks much more interesting and modern. In this case, you need to find items that fit the role of a shelf. These can be small jars, boxes of different shapes and sizes, baskets and the like.
The point is to find the right element and correctly place it on the bathroom wall.
- Do-it-yourself shoe racks: a review of the best ideas and a step-by-step description of how to build a shoe rack (85 photos and videos)
Do-it-yourself bag chair - a detailed master class on how to sew a properly comfortable chair (75 photos)
DIY chest - how to make a beautiful and stylish craft from a box, paper and wood (80 photos)
You can secure the same boxes in one of two positions - by the bottom or by one of the walls.
If you need a corner shelf for your bathroom with your own hands, the wall-mounted option is just for you. In this case, installation can and should be done to two walls, for reliability.
As for her, in all other cases, fastening wooden boxes in this way is a very risky step, except that various light small items will be stored in it.
From an aesthetic point of view, this can also be a problem, but this depends on the size and shape of the drawer.
Shelves for the bathroom. General information
Equipment
We cannot always have a spacious bathroom; often, the builders of high-rise buildings, even modern ones, do not please us. It’s another matter if you are building a house yourself and can afford not one, but two bathrooms. Then, they can accommodate convenient cabinets, chests of drawers with several drawers, a large mirror and much more.
Shelves in the bathroom help create order and comfort in the room, and distribute essential items closer to easy access. In addition, shelves are used to divide the bathroom into functional zones.
Properties
Shelves for the bathroom are not only open-type furniture, they can be in the form of cabinets, pencil cases, cabinets, racks, whatnots, and so on.
The main requirements for shelves in the bathroom are:
Immune to moisture;- Reliability;
- Compliance with the dimensions of the bathroom;
- Beauty;
- Practicality.
You can store towels, bathrobes, hygiene items, and some cosmetic products on the shelves. Such designs can decorate any interior; the main thing is to choose them harmoniously and fit them into the room. The main difference between shelves and cabinet furniture is ergonomics, compact size, and ease of installation.
Shelf and bath
Don't forget about small details, places where you can place a shelf so that it looks harmonious. One of the types of built-in shelves is the bathroom shelf.
Making a shelf between the bathroom and the wall with your own hands is worth it at the renovation stage, before all the tiles in the room are laid. Otherwise, you can ruin your repair, and from personal experience I can say that there will be no joy in this at all.
- DIY bread box - step-by-step master class on making and tips on how to decorate a wooden model (105 photos + video)
DIY high chair - interesting drawings and projects on how to make a comfortable and functional high chair (120 photo ideas)
- DIY built-in wardrobe: 115 photos of original ideas and video tips for building built-in wardrobe models
This shelf is a practical continuation of the bathroom with a transition to the wall. It needs to be planned before renovation, because the bath itself should be a little smaller than it could be, because you need space for a shelf.
On this shelf you can store different shampoos, gels, lotions and so on.
Built-in structures
People with unusual wants and needs can choose the option with a built-in shelf. In this case, after creating an entire structure from profiles, you will begin to figure out how to make plasterboard shelves for your bathroom yourself.
There is nothing complicated about this, but all the work needs to be thought through before it starts - create a plan, make drawings, according to which you will continue to work.
Bathroom cabinets
The bathroom sink will still occupy a certain space. Therefore, they are often installed on special stands. If installed correctly, such a cabinet will have free space that can be organized for storing things.
DIY corner cabinet: 80 photo ideas and video description of how and what to make a cabinet from. Main manufacturing stages and best design projectsDo-it-yourself wardrobe for the balcony - 80 photos of how to make a balcony wardrobe from various materials with your own hands
Do-it-yourself wardrobe - a detailed description of how to make and assemble a wardrobe with your own hands at home (110 photos + video)
There is no special science that describes how to make shelves under a bathroom sink with your own hands. Making shelves is very simple - you need to measure the dimensions inside the cabinet, select the mounting points according to the level, and then make the shelves from wood, chipboard or ordinary plywood.
In any case, they should be painted or covered with a thick layer of varnish, because moisture can quickly render them unusable.
An important point - when calculating the space for the shelf and the shelf itself, take into account the layer of varnish that is applied to the latter, because often these few millimeters are the difference between a perfectly installed shelf and one that does not even fit into the cabinet.
Selection of shelves for the bathroom depending on the style of the room
Classic design loves strict geometric shapes and natural materials. Shelves made of wood, steel or glass are suitable for such interiors. Forged elements, gilding and silver plating can be used as decoration.
The a la romantic style will be decorated with rounded shelves with perforations in delicate colors.
For lovers of minimalism, shelves made of MDF, glass and metal are suitable. There are models of shelves on wheels in the bathroom for greater maneuverability. They help save space in small bathrooms.
High-tech style is metal (chrome-plated) and its combination with glass.
Art Deco loves wood and imitation of its texture: oak, wood, wenge. You can add metal elements and fittings.
Shelves with ornate elements will help decorate the bathroom.
Glass shelves
Probably the most popular option is glass shelves. At the same time, people often want to make glass shelves for the bathroom with their own hands, and the reason for this is a simple desire to save money.
Plastic looks simple, not solid, glass is another matter - a worthy material for any interior.
It will be quite difficult to completely make such a shelf yourself, and therefore you will need to buy either glass or fasteners, or maybe both parts. In this case, it is much easier to go to the store and buy the option that suits you.
Tools and materials
Of course, we cannot do without a competent drawing, the necessary tools and materials. Therefore, first of all, it is necessary to decide what type of future product will be (straight, corner, built-in, closed or open), and from what material (wood, glass, drywall, etc.). Depending on this, the following tools may be needed:
- hammer drill or screwdriver (screwdriver);
- level and tape measure;
- saw for wood (metal);
- hammer;
- blanks from the selected material;
- fastenings and brackets;
- screws, dowels and corners;
- for wooden shelves – primer, paint, varnish;
- various additional details (hooks, moldings, holders) and other decorative components.
This list is not exhaustive; in each specific case, completely different devices, materials and fittings may be needed.
Modern DIY bathroom shelves
Photo of DIY bathroom shelves
Source.
Read here - Do-it-yourself chaise longue: how to make high-quality garden or decorative furniture simply and quickly (80 photos + video)
Did you like the article?
0