Perhaps you have a ‘builders-grade’ fiberglass shower with those pathetic ‘ledges’ for storage. And as you know with the slightest nudge of your elbow your shampoo bottle ‘plops’ on the shower pan, or on your foot (and doesn’t that feel lovely – sarcasm intended).
Or perhaps you’ve got a tile shower, and your soap is stored in a deep crevasse living in ‘harmony’ with brown, moldy tile grout joints. This makes it hard for you to want to pick up the bar and use it on your ‘smooth as a baby’ skin (Ok, I’m stretching the truth here).
Or you have no place at all for shower storage and your shampoo bottles live on the floor. This makes you worry they’ll ooze out and cause a fall. And the unfortunate reality is the #1 place for falls is the bathroom.
If your shower is a cluttered mess – and your shower storage is woefully lacking similar to the examples above, you’ve come to the right article. Below I’ll outline 10 effective, efficient, and in some cases even elegant storage ideas which’ll make you the envy of your neighborhood (Ok, maybe I’m going a bit overboard here – but maybe it’ll stop you from swearing like a sailor when you’re forced to live with the not-very-great storage options mentioned above).
Shower storage idea #1 – Horizontal and vertical recessed niches
As they used to like to say back in my Carnegie-Mellon University business-school days, “there’s riches in them-there niches…. and no, my professors didn’t say it that way!”
And while I’m not talking about ‘business market niches’ in this article like I did back in my college days where I ‘sported a mighty-good mullet (and I’ll admit adding a shower storage niche WILL NOT make you rich) – but your showering experience will certainly be better when you gain storage using your wall cavities with a recessed niche.
For example – if you have a ‘stand up’ shower which feels like a phone booth from the ‘olden days,’ consider adding a vertical storage niche to leverage the height of the shower (because you know it doesn’t have much width). And it’s good to know it’s also be simpler to install a vertical niche because it fits inside the framing of your walls.
Image Credits: Anew Bath Concepts
Or in a wider shower (for example, a tub to shower conversion) adding a horizontal niche can add a ton of shower storage. You will have to reframe studs behind the shower surround walls – but think how nice it would be to have your favorite ‘lotions and potions’ at your fingertips!
Niches are a wonderful idea for a new or replacement shower. However, since they’re placed inside the wall, they (unfortunately) aren’t practical to add into an existing shower.
Shower storage idea #2 – Corner shelves which DO NOT allow the soap to slip through the cracks!
In a small shower corner shelves can be exactly what the Dr. ordered because they use space you don’t physically stand in today. And let’s face it most people aren’t hugging the corners of their shower walls. And if they are, that’s an entirely a different story and something to see a psychiatrist about.
Check out these 1” thick solid surface corner shelves. And if you have less money use PVC corner shelves. However, you’d be smart to stay away from are uber-annoying wire basket shelves where the soap slips through the cracks, and cause shampoo bottles topple.
Shower storage idea #3 – Get double duty with a grab shelf.
If space is tight and you need more storage AND more safety for a loved one whose mobility isn’t as good as it used to be, this grab shelf is a BOGO special. ‘Err you buy it for one function (safety), and you get the other function (storage) for free.
Image Credits: JTEK Solutions Group
Shower storage idea #4 – Buy a shower door with a bar for towel storage
If you’re living with a rickety shower door installed by the original home builder which is a P.I.A. to clean (with it’s U-shaped shower door tracks), and wobbles to-and-fro (like the song from the ice cream truck), and it offers no effective place for storage except for draping your towels over the top of the door, I’ll bet you’d like to ditch your current door.
And you’d love a new shower door which is sturdy, works well, isn’t a pain to clean AND gives you improved towel storage.
If so look for a thicker glass shower door (5/16” to 3/8” thick doors are best) without bottom tracks with a sturdy bar on the inside (and outside) to maximize space for your bath towels without resorting to the tacky practice of hanging towels over your shower door.
Shower storage idea #5 – Add a built in bench seat with storage on top and/or underneath the seat
While I’m (generally) NOT a big fan of built in bench seats they can provide a place for towel or shower supply storage. And in addition, they’re a convenient place to sit to shave your legs (and yes, even guys can do this if they’d like) or shower in a seated position.
And if you use a floating bench seat – you can also have hidden storage under the seat (although, be aware this storage isn’t simple to access).
Shower storage idea #6 (which I’ll admit I hate…) – Add hanging baskets over the shower head or shower door
While this idea is cost-efficient, in my book most ‘hanging’ options (although not all) are uber-ugly and uber-cheap (the one below isn’t too bad), however they do add storage where none existed before (especially in an existing shower you’re not ready to replace).
So, go to your local dollar store (or shop on line if you want a better one) where you’ll find plastic baskets galore which’ll hang over your shower head or shower door for added storage. However, don’t expect to get your house featured on House Beautiful any time soon with these piecemeal plastic storage products!
Shower storage idea #7 (a weird idea…) Buy a shower curtain with storage pockets
When I saw this shower curtain with storage compartments (even for your iPad or cell phone) I thought that’s a crazy idea. But while I can’t say I’m a big fan of shower curtain storage it’s another option to gain storage in an existing shower which could be (somewhat) cost-effective. However, be prepared to replace your shower curtains frequently as they will get moldy and dirty.
Shower storage idea #8 – Add shower shelf storage built into a wall near the back or sides of a shower
If you’ve got an unused wall cavity around your shower, or a poorly used linen closet next to the shower, it’s possible to reframe the space and create a built-in storage niche for towels, soaps, shampoos, you name it. This isn’t a cheap idea because it’ll need to be reframed and waterproofed– but it can be cool.
Image Credits: Better Homes and Gardens
Shower storage idea #9– Add a recessed niche with LED lighting
This is a fun idea because it not only adds more storage – but it’ll make your shower safer, and brighter. Adding LED lighting into a recessed niche will minimize tripping getting in and out of the shower AND will serve as a nightlight to lessen the chance of falls when you’re taking a ‘biology break’ in the middle of the night.
Shower storage idea #10– Add hooks for robes or towels
Another way to gain storage is using hooks (which can even be manufactured from durable solid surface materials). Hooks aren’t all cheap and plasticky. And another benefit of hooks is they occupy very little room.
So, which of these storage ideas are intriguing to you? How can our team assist with questions, wholesale pricing, or design assistance with your next shower project?
So, which of these shower storage ideas are intriguing to you? Do you have questions about incorporating storage in your shower we can assist with? If so, contact a Shower Specialist at Innovate Building Solutions (and yes, I’ll admit this is my team!) at 877-668-5888 or request a Free Consultation.
Thanks for reading about shower accessory ideas. There’s more to this subject than meets the eye, and I hope my article has helped you figure out the right options for your project.
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
