Why you need a shower shelf…
Thinking about upping your shower storage game?
Ditch that ugly shower rack!
In our last post and (video!), we discussed one of the most common upgrades: Niches.
Unlike niches (which are built into the wall), shelves typically:
- Sit in a corner
- Attach to the wall
- Or run along a ledge
They’re simpler—but that comes with trade-offs…
Common Shower Shelf Options
1. Stone Shower Shelf (Simple and Clean)
The shelves displayed above are some of the options that we actually do quite often, and have available in our showroom!
Stone shelves are about as straightforward as it gets.
They can be made out of:
- Quartz
- Granite
- Or some kind of solid surface
Cut to fit and installed right into the corner or along the wall.
We like them because they blend in really well, they’re solid—no flex, no movement and they feel like they’re part of the shower, not something added later.
2. Schluter Shower Shelf (More Modern Look)
Then you’ve got your Schluter shower shelf.
These are metal, pre-made, and designed specifically for tile showers.
What’s nice about them:
- They install right into the tile system
- They come in different finishes (so you can match fixtures)
- They give you that clean, modern edge
They stand out a little more than stone—but in a good way.
If your bathroom is more modern, this usually fits better.
Which One Should You Go With?
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with either.
It just depends on the look:
- Want it to blend in? ? go with stone
- Want something a little more modern? ? go with Schluter
Both are solid. Both look good. Both hold up.
The Problem With Most Shower Shelves
Here’s the issue.
A lot of shelves feel like an afterthought.
You finish the tile… then realize you need storage… and add something on top.
That’s when you get:
- Bulky corner pieces
- Mismatched materials
- Cluttered layouts
Even if the tile looks good, the storage can throw it off.
Here’s what we recommend:
If you’re going with shelves, the goal is simple:
Make them look intentional.
That means:
- Matching the material to the tile or fixtures
- Keeping the design clean and minimal
- Planning placement before installation
In a lot of cases, we’ll still lean toward built-in solutions (like ledges or niches), but shelves absolutely have their place when done right.
When Shelves Make the Most Sense
Shower shelves are a good option when:
- You don’t want to open up the wall for a niche
- You need a quicker or simpler install
- You’re working with an existing shower
- You want flexibility in placement
They’re not the most seamless solution—but they’re practical.
Final Thought
If you’re putting in a new shower, don’t wait until the end to figure out storage.
That’s how you end up with racks.
Plan it early, go with something built-in, and it’ll actually look like it belongs.
If you want to check out the Schluter options, here’s the full lineup.
Wanna learn more?
Here are the links to our latest posts:
- Caulk in Shower Corners? That Tile Chick is Right. Ouch!
- Best Grout Cleaning Solution? (We Tested 3 Methods on a Real Floor)
- Are Shower Benches Worth It? (Or Just Expensive Storage?)
- Your 2 best Shower Shelf Options!
- Shower Niches: Why you should get rid of that bulky shower rack!