Amari Hale
Bathroom shelf ideas provide the perfect platform for practical storage and decorative displays, creating the ideal balance between beauty and functionality. Whether you choose aesthetically pleasing shelving units, or decorate more simple designs with unique objects and ornaments, there are options to suit all bathrooms. From luxurious heated towel rails to bath racks, shower caddies, and unveiling the hidden shelving you already have (but just didn’t know about), these bathroom shelf ideas will help keep your washroom neat, tidy and stylish. As shown in this beautiful bathroom by Alice Lane Interior Design (opens in new tab), the sleek, black metal unit fits in perfectly with the modern bathroom design, defined by the striking Lee Jofa wallpaper by Kelly Wearstler (opens in new tab). Providing a home for both practical items such as towels and containers with toiletries, as well as more decorative pieces such as books and ornaments, this central shelving unit creates a stand-out storage and display space. Whether it’s an awkward alcove, or an area of empty wall space beside a sink, making the most out of every inch of space in your bathroom, and thinking cleverly about how you can create shelf storage, will ensure your designs are catered perfectly to the shape, size and style of your bathroom.
James Lentaigne, Creative Director at Drummonds (opens in new tab) states, ‘in the bathroom, it’s important to keep toiletries easily accessible. Each area of the bathroom – sink, bath and shower – should feature some form of storage in order to keep toiletries close to hand when needed.’
Keeping the towels on this open shelf allows for them to be easily grabbed when needed, as well as adding softness to the wooden design.
Adding a unique design feature and focal point in a bathroom, a ladder shelf can also provide a practical area to store and display items.
Barrie Cutchie, Design Director at BC Designs (opens in new tab) states, ‘if you have decided to build alcove shelves into your bathroom to house plants or beautiful toiletries, one idea is to position wall lights that illuminate the space. ‘Built-in storage makes the most of every inch of space and reduces bathroom clutter, allowing decorative elements to take center stage,’ says Lentaigne.
In this bathroom, a tall alcove around the sink has been fitted with full-width, full-depth shelving to make a vacant space useful. Using the space under your sink for storage ensures useful items are close at hand while also making the most of otherwise-dead floorspace. The great thing about shower caddies is that, depending on the size you buy, everyone in your household can have their own individual shelf.’ ‘Storage in the form of shelves or cupboards above the washbasin works well, and prevents the surface of the vanity from becoming cluttered.’ Items like soap, hand lotion and toothbrushes really do need to be out in the open, so popping them on a purposeful shelf gives them a dedicated space, such as in this modern bathroom. An open vanity unit is an excellent space for storing fluffy clean towels – having them out in full view makes them all the more inviting.
To further excite the prospect, invest in a heated towel rack like the models offered by Rutland London (opens in new tab). This means keeping shallow depths so that units don’t jut out unnecessarily far, and a design that is an extension of its background. If you're looking for storage options to complement your small bathroom ideas, glass makes for a great shelving choice.
‘You must ensure that every product you choose to place in your bathroom is moisture resistant and capable of withstanding the damp environment’, warns Holland. Or conceal the cistern in a larger unit built into the wall, as demonstrated in the cloakroom idea above, creating an elongated mantel shelf with potential for additional cabinetry. In this room, a built-in fireplace doubles as a decorative shelving unit and even has space for some more practical items if necessary.
‘If it is a family bathroom, storage for medicines and grown-up products needs to be at eye height away from the kids or better still, in a built-in or lockable cabinet’, explains Lentaigne. ‘The children’s products need to be out in the open on shelving and easily accessible, but it is also good to have a cupboard space to squirrel these items away.’ Both closed units and open shelving have their place in the bathroom, so it’s a good idea to incorporate both into any built-in storage. If you’ve got your storage needs sorted, dedicate a whole shelving unit to expressing your personal style. A solely decorative shelving unit can help turn a functional bathroom into a relaxing oasis. Fill it with candles, bathroom art ideas, books and ornaments to help create a personal haven.
This dainty, wall-leaning shelving unit is a pared-back approach to storage that doubles as a statement piece in the room. ‘They are ideal to add personality to your bathroom and have your own unique interior spin, whilst not damaging any walls as not all shelves need a drill to fit, making them simple and cheap to recreate at home,’ says Holland.
When you’re up to your neck in a bubble bath, there is nothing worse than realizing your shampoo is tucked neatly inside a cupboard on the other side of the room.
To keep everything within easy reach, bathers should get themselves either a bath rack, an accessory stand or, as demonstrated in this room, both.
A small shelving unit, like this accessory stand, doubles as a decorative table and can be easily moved around the room depending on your needs. ‘For those restricted by smaller bathrooms, compact vanity suites will help to create extra storage space’, says Riddoch.
‘If the depth of the wall allows, it is good to have a built-in alcove to house shampoo, body wash, etc’, says Lentaigne. ‘Failing that, our bottle racks – available in a large and a small size – are perfect and can be positioned in exactly the right place for showering.’
The color green has seen a huge usage increase in bathrooms recently, likely due to quarantined longings for the natural world.
This false wall can provide an opportunity, though, to create an interesting architectural feature with a niche shelf inserted at a height that's just perfect for storing bath must-haves.
Holland states, ‘it’s easy to suddenly notice how messy and disorganized your bathroom has become, especially when working from home. They make for great additions to bathrooms, working to free up space and create an open and welcoming environment.’
When planning your bathroom design, including shelving is essential to make sure your space remains organized and tidy, as well as creating platforms that you can get creative with decoration and styling. ‘As they don’t hide products or cosmetics, they can be used to display colored linens and towels for a touch of style’, says Holland. They also boast handy internal shelves, which can help organize toiletries and keep your bathroom clutter free.’ ‘Tall cabinets won’t take up much room, but they offer tones of additional storage for all of your bathroom essentials.
