Shelves in the bathroom: use the full area
An experienced designer, starting work on the dream interior, knows that caring for small details is no less important than the correct selection of basic, massive elements. Shelves in the bathroom can be officially attributed to small details, which should not focus on themselves, but only complement the interior, ending with the recreated image. Pursuing the decor of the bathroom and, in particular, the shelves, it is worth paying attention to two important aspects: the location of future decor elements and the material from which they will be made. Color and shape in this case are purely individual, and they will depend only on the general background of the interior.
When choosing shelves for the bathroom, remember that they must be both aesthetic and functional, especially if the bathroom is small and there is no place for additional shelves or cabinets. In addition, you should carefully calculate the size and number of shelves, so that there is enough space for all the necessary cosmetic details and other hygiene products.
Shelves over the bathtub
An unusual solution is to install shelves above the bathroom itself, most often in a small recess, so as not to become a burden. You can not argue with the convenience and functionality of such a solution, because all the necessary cosmetics will always be at hand, and in itself there will be no need to get out of the water if the desired shampoo is in a cabinet on the other side of the room. But even in such a seemingly wonderful solution there are some disadvantages. For example, shelves near the bathroom are very whimsical to the selection of materials. It is completely irrational to make them wooden or plastic, because water will constantly fall on these shelves, gradually rendering these decor items unusable. In addition, the walls in the bathroom are not always wide enough to actually make recesses for shelves in it. Also, with special care, it will be necessary to select the fasteners for the shelves, avoiding any materials that can succumb to corrosion due to water.
Shelves near the washbasin
By placing shelves near the sink, the designer discovers an almost perfect platform for creativity. Here he is unlimited in the choice of forms and materials, colors and textures and, in addition, can recreate any image by correctly placing the shelves in the allocated space. The most functional and convenient solution has always been and will be shelves, which serve as a kind of frame for the mirror, describing it around the perimeter from two sides, or from three, capturing also the upper face. The items and shelves themselves are more protected from unwanted ingress of water, they do not need to prepare a special surface (only at the request of the designer), and all the necessary hygiene products are always at hand and in sight. Unlike shelves above the bathroom, even towels can be stored here, which undoubtedly adds convenience to them. By changing the arrangement of objects on the shelves, you can change some piquant notes in the interior, transforming it in a few minutes without actually changing anything and without spending a dime on it.
Materials
The main question that always comes up edge when creating a project for a future bathroom is materials. Remember that all interior items will, in one way or another, come into contact with water and be in a room with high humidity, so all materials must be well waterproofed and must be easily washed. Gradually, through trial and error, the designers came to three main materials that are most often used in the interior of bathtubs: wood, plastic and glass. Marble shelves in bathrooms also exist, but these days they are more the exception than the rule.
Wooden shelves - a note from the past
Wood is the last material that comes to mind when it comes to waterproofing. But, despite all the difficulties that arise, people have learned to artificially improve this material, and using it in bathrooms has become more comfortable. Wooden furniture and home decoration can ennoble any design plan, making it much more expensive in the eyes of others, adding a touch of contrast and new colors and shades that are rarely found in tiled bathrooms. But, one way or another, a tree in conditions of high humidity is short-lived, no matter how well it is processed and how hard it is not looked after. Wooden shelves are well suited for people who want to make their bathroom much warmer and more comfortable, diluting the cold tiled colors. If the repair is done on a temporary basis, whether it is a partial lack of money or a rented living space, but a thirst for beauty requires an ideal and impeccable, properly waterproofed wood will be the best option, but you should refrain from using it over the bathroom itself.
Plastic as a step into the future
Copper, iron ... every century has its own unique name and, following the logic of our ancestors, our century can safely be called a plastic one. Plastic, despite the fact that it is almost impossible to recycle, is rapidly gaining popularity and has now won the market. Almost everything is made from this material, from bottles to furniture. Of course, it’s foolish to challenge its versatility: plastic is easily washed, from this material you can order decorative elements of any shape. In addition, these days we have learned to make this material shockproof, heat-resistant and quite elastic. The texture and color of the plastic can be changed as desired by the customer, ranging from glossy surfaces to matte, from white to black. Most likely, the reduced electrical insulation properties of plastic will not become a problem for the design of the bathroom, but this fact should also be borne in mind.
Plastic shelves are universal, using them do not worry about the fact that water will destroy this interior item in the shortest possible time or that an awkward movement will break them into thousands of fragments. By experimenting not only with colors and shades, but also with textures, you can achieve the desired result with minimal cost and in the shortest possible time.
Glass expands the boundaries
The use of glass surfaces is probably the most interesting and unusual solution when choosing material for shelves in the bathroom. Unlike wood, this material is not afraid of water, and it is much more environmentally friendly than plastic, but, undoubtedly, does not possess those shockproof qualities. On transparent plastic, all scratches, stains and dust will be visible much better than on any other material, but this problem is solved by more careful handling of this piece of furniture and regular cleaning. Also, when working with glass, the rational solution is to choose a special type of this material, which has increased strength. Such glass will last much longer and, in addition, parents can be calm for the pranks of their young children, who may well reach the shelves in the bathroom. The question of injury risk remains open - about glass, unlike wood and plastic, you can cut yourself, and even the rounding of the corners of the future shelf does not save from this perspective. In this case, it is important either to choose a place for the shelves where it would be impossible to accidentally touch it, or take care of the rubberized frame for the shelf in advance, which can protect against unwanted cuts.