Bathroom Shelves

Bathroom shelves

Every bathroom in New Zealand needs good bathroom furniture with plenty of storage options. Bathrooms often have limited floor space and a decent amount of items to keep organised.

Bathroom cabinets and vanities and cupboards are sometimes too bulky for a space or sometimes simply don’t provide enough storage. Shelves give you that extra storage space you need to keep your bathroom clutter-free. Apart from being practical, even the most ordinary shelves can be transformed and make a striking visual statement with the right kind of decor and decorative items.

Types of bathroom shelves

There are a number of different types of bathroom shelves available in New Zealand that you can consider for your space, each with its own qualities and benefits. You’ll find small shelves, designed to hold decorative items and big storage shelves that’ll act as a practical storage solution for hand towels, toiletries and accessories. Knowing exactly what you intend to use your shelves for will help you decide between the styles and options available. 

Free-standing bathroom shelving unit

Free-standing units come in different shapes and sizes in New Zealand and typically comprise one to four shelves. As a free-standing unit, they are mobile and versatile and can be placed anywhere in the bathroom where space allows.

Bathroom wall shelves

A bathroom wall shelf, sometimes called bathroom floating shelves, are wall-mounted and feature no visible holders. They come as singles which you can combine with other compatible pieces. While varying in dimensions, their load capacity is lower compared to standard shelves.

Bathroom corner shelves

Corner units make it possible to utilise virtually every inch of a bathroom and are great for small spaces. If you do have a tiny bathroom and are thinking about a bathroom corner shelf, glass is a great option due to its transparency which will keep the room feeling open.

Swivel bathroom shelf unit

Swivel shelves feature one central rod and several sections attached to it. They are effortless to install, requiring no screws or nails, perfect for use in a shower booth or in the corner of the bath. The rod is available in standard and telescopic versions, with shelves mostly triangular in shape.

Bathroom shelf materials

Bathrooms are humid environments so the material used in shelving is extremely important and should have characteristics that will protect them from moisture. Luckily there are many types of materials to choose from in New Zealand.

Glass bathroom shelves

A modern-looking glass shelf is typically framed with a piece of wood, plastic or steel. They are excellent for tiny bathrooms as their transparent quality puts no additional visual obstacle in the space. 

Glass shelves work in most styles of bathroom. They're easy to maintain and resistant to warping and mould. However, glass is also fragile and sensitive to limescale, so it works best when mounted to a wall, further away from moisture.

Wooden bathroom shelves

Rich, natural stained wood fits best with traditional, boho, or rustic bathroom interiors. These shelves can be made from a variety of species like pine, oak and even bamboo. It provides a soft, warm and welcoming feel but also requires more maintenance than other materials.

Composite wood shelves

Composite shelves are less sensitive than pure natural wood. They can be painted in vibrant colours or made to resemble different wood species. Depending on the design, composite shelves can be either free-standing or wall-mounted.

Plastic bathroom shelves

Plastic is a less glamorous option but it offers a series of other benefits. It’s lightweight, moderately resistant to mould and stains and easy to clean. On top of this, it's usually the most affordable shelving material option on the market in New Zealand. 

Metal bathroom shelves

Aluminium and stainless steel are rust-resistant and ideal for this purpose. Metals are durable and perfect for modern and contemporary style decor, relatively unaffected by limescale and effortless to maintain.

Wrought iron bathroom shelves

The vintage-style appeal of wrought iron makes a striving focal point in the bathroom. Wall-mounted wrought iron shelves are exceptionally long-lasting but also heavy and need to be installed with care. On the other hand, the weight of the material makes excellent, stable and reliable free-standing shelves.