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The Best Bathroom Shelves to Store Your Toiletries

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 28 Feb 2023

Shelves are a unique way to get your bathroom tidied up and in perfect order. They come in different forms ranging from pine wood units to plastic products. But knowing what to look for before buying a bathroom shelf will save you time, energy, and resources. This is why we have prepared this buying guide and product review to help you through the entire process. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about buying the highest-rated bathroom shelves in 2023.

Best Overall
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SODUKU Bathroom Shelf
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Runner Up
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Love-KANKEI Bathroom Shelf
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Honorable Mention
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AMADA HOMEFURNISHING Bathroom Shelf
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Contender
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Peter's Goods Bathroom Shelf
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Also Consider
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Vdomus Bathroom Shelf
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Buying Guide for Quality Bathroom Shelves

If you are still undecided about which of the best bathroom shelves to go for, we have prepared this guide to help you make the right choices.

Types of Bathroom Shelves

Single or wall-mounted shelves are generally used for storage. Usually, these shelves are rectangular in shape and small, made using different materials, and may or not come with sides. Depending on their design, they may need to be screwed into the wall with the aid of wall plugs. You need to select something that effectively matches your bathroom style and ensures it is mounted in the right place.

Wood shelf

Usually, solid wood shelves are made using pine. These rustic-style shelves are built to be drilled into walls. One big drawback is that their aerosol and perfume cans can scratch the surface, so you need to protect the shelf using wax or varnish.

Glass shelves

These shelves are fragile but look modern. They are mounted by screwing wall plugs into chrome-plated, plastic, or aluminum bracket. Such material is ideal for use in the shower or above sinks but note that you must use aluminum brackets if the shelf touches water.

Plastic shelf

Although this may not be the most attractive option, they are often installed in showers and mounted on suction pads.

Composite wood shelf

Such shelves are usually painted using a single color and have a close semblance to wood. Also, they may be mounted on floating shelf brackets.

Factors to Consider Before You Buy a Bathroom Shelf

If you spend money buying anything, you certainly don’t want to end up with regrets about your purchase. To help you make the right choices, we have come up with the following tips to help out.

1. Space

Just because it will be used in the bathroom doesn’t mean you should settle for a shelf with limited space. Search for a shelf that can take as much as you need.

2. Material

If you are looking for something with quality and looks, you need to be careful about the type of material you purchase. If you are eco-conscious but won’t want to ignore sturdiness, a shelf made from bamboo will be the best choice. However, if you are looking for something with sufficient load capacity but good aesthetics with your decoration, an iron or steel shelf may be the perfect option.

3. Design

The design of the shelf is an essential factor you shouldn’t ignore in the selection process. You certainly don’t want a shabbily assembled piece of metal that serves as a shelf. Depending on your intentions, there are several design options you can buy. 

4. Shelf installation

Several users have had to rank good shelves low because of installation issues. Therefore, if you want to pick a good choice, choose a shelf that requires the least energy and time to install or assemble.

5. Load carrying capacity

Depending on the choice of shelves, there are different load capacities. However, you need to have a suitable shelf to carry your intended supplies as a user.

6. Style of shelf

There is no shortage of bathroom shelf choices, so you can choose the one that suits your needs perfectly. Rustic wood styles are reputed to be quite popular styles. This type often comes in the form of wall-mounted units and floating shelves. If you don’t have enough hanging space in your bathroom, you could go for an industrial or rustic-looking shelf with hooks at the base and towel rails. Such options are ideal for hanging flannel, small towels, and hairbands.

7. Functionality

Although the shelf looks are significant, how useful it will be is equally important. The ideal bathroom storage unit should be sturdy and big enough to accommodate bottles and even towels without the shelves falling off the wall. It, therefore, suffices to say that you need to think of what you need to use the extra storage space for.

Also, if you feel you have small items you need to store, such as nail polishes or perfumes, the most functional designs will be those that come with a closed surface against a slatted build. Railed or slat bases will allow small items to fall. 

The ideal bathroom shelf with a protective rail will also boost its functionality because you will have more room to store. Also, this helps optimize available space usage.

Tips for Installing Shelves in Your Bathroom

Before you think of installing shelves, you need to look at the instructions. To begin with, you will need to drill to create holes as indicated in the instructions, and you will fill the holes using screws and wall plugs to attach the frames to the wall. After that, the shelves will either get screwed to the brackets or balance on the top.

If you are not a DIY fan, you should go for shelving ideas that don’t need assembly tools. Such tools can come in self-adhesive shelves or free-standing units that don’t require building.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Your Shelves

If you want your bathroom shelf to stand the test of time, there are some vital tips you must never forget. Here is a breakdown of our top tips to help clean and maintain your shelves.

  • Don’t overload it

Each shelf comes with a defined load carrying capacity, and failure to adhere to this could damage your shelf over time. Also, note that it is not every type of load you should place on the shelf; usually, it is the type and nature of the load.

  • Clean right

The way you clean your shelf depends mainly on the material used in constructing it. It would be best to use a slightly damp cloth for frames built with wooden material to wipe it clean. A wiper, tissue, or wet cloth should suffice if yours is made with glass.

  • Check the screws and hinges

If you want your shelf to stand the test of time, check the screws and hinges regularly to be sure they are properly fastened and in place. You certainly don’t want your shelf falling with a bottle on it.

Here Is the Finest Bathroom Shelf of 2023

1

SODUKU Bathroom Shelf

– Best Overall
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The SODUKU storage shelves are made using premium quality radiate pine wood which is heat-resistant and dampproof. It features a metal structure design with towel holders and protective guards, durable, and adequate load-bearing capacity. This floating shelf can be used for seasoning bottles in your kitchen, while a towel holder may be used to hang kitchen hooks or towels. You may use the separate towel holder to install the floating shelf as needed. Also, in your bathroom, you can place toiletries on the storage shelf. It makes a good choice for your living room, bedroom, and office.

Pros
  • Durable with a good load-bearing capacity
  • It can be used in the kitchen and bathroom
  • It comes with a removable towel holder
  • Easy to install
Cons
  • The installation holes can be in the wrong place
2

Love-KANKEI Bathroom Shelf

– Runner Up
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Developed and designed by the best designers out there, the Love-KANKEI Floating Shelves are reputed to be an outstanding product built on testing and research. With this furniture, you are assured of additional shelf space in your office or home to display family pictures, vases, and store items in the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom. This item is 4 inches deep and comes in three distinct sizes for easy grouping. The unique thing about these shelves is not having a single black or white shelf with a cheap finish. This shelf is a good blend of rustic materials and gives your home a pleasant and beautiful touch.

You will find this shelf easy to install and assemble as it comes with easy-to-use instructions and all the needed hardware to give it a durable and sturdy look.

Pros
  • Easy to assemble
  • It comes in three distinct sizes for easy grouping
  • Sturdy and durable
  • Cool rustic build
  • Simplistic design
Cons
  • You have to assemble it yourself
3

AMADA HOMEFURNISHING Bathroom Shelf

– Honorable Mention
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Suppose you are searching for the perfect way to declutter your home. In that case, one of the best choices is the Amada Floating Shelves Wall-Mounted Furniture. With the floating feature of this furniture, you will be able to keep fancy items in places you least expected. These rustic shelves will do a great job in helping your room look neater and more extensive, and it also gives your space a unique and appealing look. Also, with about 16 inches, this shelf is longer and broader than most other shelves, making it more useful.

Additionally, you can be sure that the materials used in making this wood are premium quality and will not easily break. The materials are sturdy enough to hold up to 40lb, making them perfect for organizing collectibles, books, and trophies on the wall.

Pros
  • Helps to declutter
  • Bring your space to life
  • Provides more room for your belongings
  • Excellent quality wood material
  • Customizable 
Cons
  • The wood may quickly chip
4

Peter’s Goods Bathroom Shelf

– Contender
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This unique furniture offers functional elegance and beauty to your home. Peter’s Goods Rustic Wall Shelves are not traditional furniture. They are made with a modern and versatile rustic design using the best quality wood, making them a good choice for all spaces. These unique wall shelves will easily complement the interior of your home while securely displaying your kitchen spices, family treasures, and other accessories. This 0.7-inch thick wood provides excellent support, while the reasonable powder-coated steel frame helps to complement the unique finish. It doesn’t matter if you are an amateur or a DIY expert; these multi-purpose shelves have been designed to be easily installed.

Pros
  • It gives optimum bedroom wall storage
  • Built with protective metal guards
  • Easy to install
  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Made with sturdy cedar wood capable of holding up to 20 pounds
  • It comes with a powder-coated steel frame, which prevents it from quickly rusting
Cons
  • Low hardware quality
5

Vdomus Bathroom Shelf

– Also Consider
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The Vdomus Tempered Glass Bathroom Shelf is built to declutter your bathroom and keep your items perfectly organized. This unique wall shelf helps to transform the previous waste space into an ample storage space. It comes with a clean and straightforward line paired with a polished metal texture, which gives the room an elegant facelift. The furniture is durable, multifunctional, and easy to install for newbies and DIY enthusiasts. 

Pros
  • Multifunctional
  • Easy to install
  • Large storage space
  • Durable build
Cons
  • The pre-drilled holes may not be aligned, thus making it hard to assemble.

People Also Asked

Q: What kind of wood is best for bathroom shelves?

A: If you are carrying out a bathroom renovation, you may need to add shelves that will accurately match our new home décor. If your home has a wooden look, you need to ensure the shelves are built using wood. The more common wood options for bathrooms are oak, pine, or maple.

Q: How much space should I live between my shelves?

A: The space needed between the shelves will hinge on what you intend to store on them. Most shelves are built with about 30cm between them because such a space is ample enough for standard bottles to fit in them.

Q: What is the ideal depth for my bathroom shelves?

A: This will depend mainly on what you want to have stored on the shelves. The depths may vary between 5 and 20 inches. The deeper the shelf, the less likely you will need to have your items close to the edge.

Bathroom Shelving
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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