Where To Mount Shower Shelves For Longevity And Function

Nothing beats a hot shower — unless yours is full of slippery shampoo bottles, slivers of soap, and dull razors stored perilously close to the edge of your tub. Getting your toiletry chaos under control is a great reason to install shower shelves. Sure, there are some popular shower caddies out there that hang over your showerhead or stick onto your wall, like the best selling EUDELE Adhesive Stainless Organizer. But to truly optimize your shower space and create as much visual appeal as possible, shower shelves are ideal. Along with deciding whether you want a corner shelf, a built-in niche, or another design, one of the most important decisions you'll make is exactly where to mount your shower shelves for longevity and function. The best approach creates plenty of room for big toiletry bottles while keeping smaller items like loofahs or lotions easily accessible. 

There are dozens of stylish shower shelves that add storage to your bathroom, and the ideal placement for each type varies. One of the most important things to consider while determining the correct mounting height is who will be using the shelf most frequently. Are you installing shower shelves in a bathroom used by young children or an elderly family member who relies on a shower chair? If so, at least one of your shelves should be mounted at a lower height that's more accessible and puts items at eye-level for those users. When the shower will be shared by the whole family, you may want to install more than one shelf.

There are some standard mounting heights to keep in mind when installing a shower shelf. A typical user who stands during a shower will be able to reach a shelf mounted between 42 and 60 inches above the shower floor. Bear in mind that an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant grab bar should be installed between 33 and 36 inches above the shower floor; to make them as functional as possible for users with limited mobility, you should install your shower shelf either directly above or below the grab bar. This is one of the best ways to make your home more accessible without renovating. 

You should also take into consideration the overall size of your shower. In smaller spaces, low-profile corner shelves may be preferable. To some extent, the tiles of your shower will determine how far apart you should mount each corner shelf, as they are usually set along grout lines. It's a good idea to think about what kinds of containers you store most often prior to mounting. If you use salon or bulk size shampoos, mount your corner shelves 12 inches apart, but if you only need a place to set a bar of soap or want a shelf to rest your foot while shaving, you can mount your corner shelves much closer together. Remember to take into consideration the thickness of the shelf itself while planning your mounting locations.

It's important to keep your shelves' exposure to water in mind before mounting them to maximize their longevity. If you're building shower shelf niches, it's crucial that you completely waterproof the area behind the shelf and surrounding tile by installing a waterproof backer board and liquid membrane. You'll also want to install the shelf itself at a slight pitch toward your shower drain to avoid pooling water that leads to mold or mildew. 

To maximize stability, you should install your shower shelves on studs. This can be tricky if your shower is tiled or you have a prefabricated surround. After marking the mounting position, you'll need to make a series of cuts, install anchors, and firmly affix your shelf, making sure to keep it level enough to hold your toiletries in place but sloped enough to allow for drainage. Finally, you'll need to refocus your efforts on waterproofing around any entry points you've made during the process; this is to avoid exposing the studs behind your shower to any water. 

Recessed niches are the most involved and expensive type of shower shelf to install, and are one of the home improvement projects that may be better left to a professional. If you're anxious for a long-term storage solution but dread the thought of drilling into your shower, there are other options. Most of them, like the KINCMAX Premium Shower Caddy, rely on heavy-duty suction cups that stick directly to your shower walls.