Interior design encompasses a myriad of challenges when it comes to creating balance between style and functionality in restrooms. One of the most frequent obstacles to achieving this is finding ways to maximize the amount of space available in smaller residences. This often leaves bathrooms’ corners underutilized or empty, which allows for the possibility of transforming unused areas into a combination of stylish elegance and practicality. This is where corner shelves shine.
When finding the right corner shelf system for your particular model of restroom, you are not only gaining a storage system but also an overall decorative touch to your bathroom. Corner shelves come in many styles ranging from ultra-modern to classic country and will meet most any need and/or preference one may have in terms of style or appearance. Below are some examples of how to make use of unused or wasted corner area in a way that is both smart as well as aesthetically pleasing through the installation of a corner shelf. These corner shelves will be adding some personality to your routine through our collection of 8 very well designed and functional corner shelf options.
The Minimalist’s Dream: Frameless Glass Floating Shelves
If you’re someone who appreciates minimalism, a frameless glass floating shelf will bring you true happiness. Because they’re made of glass, these shelves seem to disappear, making your bathroom seem larger and allowing the beautiful tile to remain prominent.
As shown in the picture above, a frameless glass floating shelf can be used to display a small number of carefully-selected items, such as high-end personal hygiene products, a small potted plant, and/or rolled-up guest towels. Because there are no support brackets, a floating shelf gives the shelf a floating effect, and this is very elegant. A frameless glass floating shelf can be used in a modern, contemporary, and even a spa bathroom. It also provides storage without adding visual bulk.
2. Rustic Charm: Reclaimed Wood with Industrial Brackets
Rustic wood shelves are an ideal choice for a warming, inviting style in your home. They provide a softening effect to the hard surfaces within your bathroom while providing additional texture and natural elements. When combined with industrial-style metal brackets, they create a stylish, contemporary farmhouse, or chic look.
In addition to being beautiful, this type of design is also very functional. Thick wooden planks provide a solid surface that is capable of supporting heavy items — such as large jars of bath salts, multiple folded towels or baskets containing toiletries. The warm oak/wood of the shelves and the cool metallic brackets will create a striking contrast adding visual interest to your bathroom. This visual interest could become the focal point of your bathroom design.
3. Seamless Luxury: The Built-In Tiled Shower Niche
A built-in shower niche can give you a truly upscale, bespoke look. Because you will integrate this feature into the wall as part of the construction or renovation process, it’s not an afterthought. By tiling your shower niche using the same materials you use on your shower walls, you achieve a luxurious, uniform storage solution that is part of the architecture of your space.
As seen in the photo above, this niche also eliminates protruding shelves from your shower, giving it a less constricted appearance. All of your shower products such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap will be neatly put away in the niche rather than sitting on the floor of the shower. You may also want to consider adding a second smaller niche above the original one for bars of soap or razors too. These types of products can really help create a clean, spa-like atmosphere.
Versatile and Movable: The Tiered Freestanding Stand
Whether you rent or just love to switch things up, a corner shelf stand is an ideal solution for your corner area. These units can be moved easily between corners and do not require any drilling or tools to put together, so they work for both apartment living as well as permanent type living.
Choose a corner storage shelf stand that has mixed materials, such as wood and metal or similarly combined materials, to create visual interest in your bathroom. Use the lower shelves for storing towels and baskets, as well as using the upper shelves for decorating or putting things like frequent use toiletries on them. In addition to serving the functional purpose of storage, they also serve as decorative furniture pieces to support your other bathroom decor.
Modern Industrial: Matte Black Metal Wire Basket
A matte black metal wire basket provides a sleek, modern, and highly functional option in the shower. This style is perfect when included in a contemporary bathroom having dark fixtures or slate tiles. The open wire construction also allows water to drain freely from the basket, which helps to prevent mold or mildew from building up on your products.
Like many contemporary-style designs, this modern style can be installed with strong suction cups, making it an excellent option for a drill-free installation. The bold black color creates a strong contrast with lighter tiles, and enables a look that is “industrial chic,” which can enhance the overall appearance of your shower.
6. Timeless Elegance: The Classic Marble Shelf
To make a bathroom environment that exudes a sense of classy style and rich life, consider the use of the timeless classic marble corner shelf (marble is an extremely durable material and can be used in your bathroom for thousands of years because it is a water-resistant material).
Using just one simple polished round marble corner shelf with decorative metal bracket supports would provide an elegant design feature on your corner.
As shown in the above image, these shelves are good for the display of decorative items (e.g., perfume bottles, small vase with floral arrangements, or silver tray with jewelry) and will help you have a more glamorous experience every day.
7. Boho Chic: Creative Hanging Rope Shelves
If you’re looking for a more casual, relaxed, and bohemian style (which I find is perfect for creating atmosphere in a guest bathroom) try hanging a rope shelf off the wall using thick rope from a single hook in the ceiling. A unique way to fill empty corners and create softness and texture in your bathroom with creative use of wood planks.
This particular multi-tiered shelf displays rolled towels, potted plants, and various other small items on the rocks to make your display special and personalized. The use of natural materials (wood and rope) together with warm earth tone colours creates a nice contrast that warms up the room.
The Ultimate Space-Saver: Tension Pole Shower Caddy
When you need to maximize your storage space, a tension pole shower caddy is an amazing option for shared bathrooms. This floor-to-ceiling unit uses all of the vertical space in a shower corner and gives you the ability to have multiple baskets of varying heights to store large amounts of bottles, soaps, and other shower accessories.
As shown in the picture above, the adjustable baskets allow you to raise or lower shelf heights depending on how tall your bottles are. Plus, since the caddy uses tension to stay in place, you won’t have to drill any holes to install it. While it doesn’t have the same type of “design presence” that other caddies offer, its practicality makes it a great choice for families that require maximum storage.
Conclusion:
Do not ignore the corners of your bathroom! We have shown you that bathroom corner shelves provide simple yet functional options for increasing storage and style in your bathroom. If you like the clean look of floating glass shelves, the warm feel of rustic wooden shelves, the luxurious feel of built-in marble shelving, or the practical features of a tension pole shelf, there is a type of corner shelf available that will fit your needs. When you select the appropriate corner shelf for your bathroom, you will turn your cluttered, small bathroom into a well-organized, welcoming retreat!
