Stylish Bathroom Shelf Ideas: Practical & Personalised

Looking for extra storage in your bathroom? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we are going to detail all the different shelf options available. We’re going to take a look at each option and understand what kind of bathroom they would work well in. 

 

Plus, we’ll suggest a handy spot to pop your favourite lotions and formulas. Shelves can effortlessly transform your room and help break up open space. Many people don’t think of shelves as key features, but the right shelving really can stand out. Or, if you prefer an understated look, consider some small bathroom shelf ideas. 

 

Say farewell to your cluttered room and let us inspire you with these sleek options…

 

Wall shelves

Wall shelves are a commonly used and versatile unit choice. They are attached directly to the wall, which means they make use of usually wasted space – and can be made for a variety of materials to match your décor. 

 

Pros of wall shelves:

 

They are easy to install and can be easily removed if you change your mind at a later date – or want to switch the position. 

 

They come in a variety of styles and materials to match your personal preference. Including rustic wood, sleek plastic and even modern metals. 

 

They make use of otherwise wasted space and so are perfect for small bathrooms, as well as larger ones.

 

Cons of wall shelves:

 

Most wall shelves will require drilling into the wall, which may be a problem if you live in a rental property. 

 

There may be a weight capacity, depending on the material your wall is made from and the fixtures you are using to support the shelf. Therefore, you may not be able to put any heavy objects on it. 

 

What bathroom wall shelves are best used in: 

 

Considering some bathroom wall shelf ideas? Due to their versatile style, they will suit any bathroom—from large bathrooms to small cloakrooms. They’re also pretty cost-effective, meaning you won’t break the bank when installing them, and in most cases, you can do it yourself. 

 

Sink shelves

Sink shelves, or basin shelves are integrated under or around the sink area. They offer a sleek, spa-like aesthetic thanks to their minimalist style. Plus, they make use of already taken floorspace, meaning that they won’t take up too much room.

 

Pros of sink shelves:

 

They maximise space that is often lost around the sink. The shelves can be built in underneath the unit, making it look as though it’s a part of the sink. 

 

As your sink is usually front and centre in the bathroom, it means that most of the things you’ll store inside, or on these shelves will be within easy reach.  

 

They can be fitted to your current basin design, and therefore offer a stylish, clean look.

 

Cons of sink shelves:

 

If you are a wheelchair user, they may not be appropriate as it limits leg room underneath the sink and as such you may not be able to pull up as closely to the basin.

 

Due to their close proximity to the sink, drain and taps, they may suffer from water damage if any plumbing issues occur to your basin in the future.

 

What bathroom sink shelves are best used in: 

 

Sink shelves can offer plenty of organisation and accessibility and can be worked into your current bathroom set up. This makes them appropriate for use in any sized bathroom. They also suit a range of styles, meaning they’ll seamlessly slot into your room’s vibe. 

 

Ladder shelves

Ladder shelves are a freestanding piece of furniture. You can get options that look like a traditional step ladder, that lean against the wall as well as angular designs that have wider shelves towards the bottom, and smaller at the top. They are a modern, on-trend option and depending on the style can hold a variety of items.

 

Pros of ladder shelves:

 

If you have a freestanding option, you can easily move them around your space, which is great if you ever go through future bathroom renovations. 

 

Another benefit if you have a freestanding ladder shelf is that they require no drilling into the wall – perfect for renters. They’re very on-trend and will transform your space while giving ample storage. 

 

Plus, they’re often quite tall, so there’s lots of height to store your bathroom essentials on.

 

Cons of ladder shelves:

 

If you choose a ladder shelf with small step-style shelves, they don’t provide room to store anything on apart from towels that can be draped over. If you want to store larger items, you’d have to go for one with variable sized steps. 

 

They can be unstable, as they lean onto the wall or are freestanding.

What bathroom ladder shelves are best used in: 

 

They provide a sleek Scandi feel that would look beautiful in a rustic bathroom. As they take up floorspace, they would lend themselves to bigger bathrooms, rather than smaller cloakrooms.

Window shelves

Window shelves are installed across the window, or parallel to the bottom of the frame. It’s a unique option that utilises space in the room.

 

Pros of window shelves:

 

Can be seen as quite a unique, modern and decorative choice that makes use of otherwise wasted space. 

As well as offering space for practical storage, you can also display house plants and objet d'art.

 

Cons of window shelves:

 

They may restrict light coming into the bathroom, or any views out of your window.

 

They may not hold as many items as other storage solutions. 

 

What bathroom window shelves are best used in: 

 

Window shelves are perfect for bright and airy rooms, as they make good use of the flooding light let into the room to make a focal point. They’re ideal for any sized bathroom as they make use of wall space. 

Corner shelves

They slot effortlessly into the corner of the room, in space that would ordinarily go wasted. You can get wall-hung designs as well as freestanding units – depending on your preference.

 

Pros of corner shelves:

 

They utilise the space in the room – tucking into areas that may go wasted. 

They come in a variety of sizes to suit your storage needs.

 

Cons of corner shelves:

 

If you go for a fixed unit, you’ll have to drill into the wall.

May have limited shelf space due to the corner aspect – therefore may not be suitable for large items.

 

What bathroom corner shelves are best used in: 

 

We think they’re ideal for smaller, compact rooms as they cleverly utilise space. 

 

Built-in recess shelves

Recessed shelves are built into the wall, normally while undergoing bathroom renovations. They offer a modern, minimalist look without taking up space.

 

Pros of recess shelves:

 

They save space. 

Have a clean, understated aesthetic and become part of the room for a spa-like look.

You can customise the size, location and shape to suit your preference.

 

Cons of recess shelves:

 

They require building work and are harder to put in retrospectively. Therefore are better suited to full bathroom renovations.

They’re permanent and can’t be altered easily.

 

What bathroom recess shelves are best used in: 

They’re perfect for modern and minimalist rooms – offering a non-cluttered look. Why not add one in above your walk-in bath? 

 

How to choose bathroom shelves

When it comes to picking your perfect bathroom shelves, consider the following things:

 

Space Availability:

Make sure you have enough room for your chosen shelves by measuring.

 

Installation:

Consider any installation costs – for example will you need a builder or handy man, or can you do it easily yourself. 

 

Functionality:

Decide on whether they will hold what you want them to. 

 

Weight capacity:

Can they comfortably hold what you need them to. 

 

Style:

Do they fit into your bathroom décor? 

 

Deciding on the right storage solutions for your space can lend extra functionality as well as improved style. There are many different options on the market to suit your preference and the design of your room.