Tile bathroom shelves: pros, cons and design options

As with any room, there are many things in the bathroom that need to be arranged so that they can be used at any time. But often it is the question of what to use to store things that causes difficulty.

A more common option is shelves. Today there are many types of this furniture, so it is difficult to choose... 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. Let's consider their features, pros and cons.

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 and at any other time.

This shelf consists of a tiled base. Most often, the basis is waterproof gypsum plasterboard (GKL), which you can recognize by its color - green. Can be used moisture resistant chipboard, as well as ordinary wooden blocks.

Having familiarized ourselves with the design, let's look at the main types of tiled shelves.

• Built-in - these are shelves that are formed in a pre-existing or specially constructed niche. A more global facility that is part of the bathroom.

• Mounted - Shelves that take less time to install but are less sturdy than built-in shelves. They are usually installed on a metal structure.

• Corner shelves - usually mounted in a corner on two walls. They are much easier to install and also do not take up much space.

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. Thanks to the reliability of the structure, the tile shelf will serve you for a very long time. It also does not corrode due to its water resistance and high temperature resistance.
• Security. The built-in shelf has no sharp corners or 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 it will perfectly fit into the interior of your bathroom and will meet all your wishes.
• Convenience in cleaning. Maintenance of such a shelf is the most minimal, it is enough to wipe it from dust, in extreme cases - to use a special tool for cleaning the tile.

Minuses.

• Openness... Hanging tiled shelves are open and also have a slippery surface, which means there is a possibility that items on the shelf may fall.
• Mold build-up. 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 jointing or sealant can be replaced, and there are also special anti-fungus agents on sale.
• Difficulty in dismantling. This is probably the most global problem. After all, if you get tired of such a shelf or you just want to change the situation, you will have to start a major overhaul.
• Skills are required. The fact is that it is difficult to make a shelf lined with tiles on your own, without having building skills. Therefore, the involvement of a specialist in this area is required.
• Not suitable for a small room... Tiled shelves require a lot of space, so they are not suitable for a small bathroom.

As mentioned above, the tile shelf is convenient precisely because it is designed according to your wishes. Still, there are a few details to keep in mind.

1. Tile... It is clear from the name that the base of the shelf is tiled. It is best to cover it with tiles to match the color of the entire bathroom. But if you want to use a different color, then it's up to you, as long as it fits the overall style of the interior.
2. Quantity. You shouldn't be limited to an ordinary niche or a single shelf. Agree, it looks pretty boring. It is better to make several levels of tile shelves, especially when it comes to corner options. This will create more storage space for your frequently used items.
3. The form. If you think that a rectangle is the only shape for a shelf, you are deeply mistaken. Tile shelves (especially if the base is made of plasterboard) can be easily made in any shape: a triangle, a circle, an arch or a wave - that's at your discretion and imagination.

Don't make your own bathroom cliché. 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 lay tile shelves in the bathroom, see the video below.