Bathroom Tile Accessories!!

Looking for some Bathroom tile accessories. You know the ones..... the soap dishes, the towel racks, the usual. I did some searching and all I found was the typical standard stuff. Haven't they changed any of this in 30 years?

Our bathroom remodel is right around the corner (finally) and we've been making some finalized decisions on tub,tiles, etc (finally).

At this point, I'm looking at white to match the tub. They don't make accessories for the tile color we picked.

What do you guys think of these? I'm not sure I want to cut a hole in the wall to put them in. Aside from that, they don't look deep enough for my shampoo bottles (I buy BULK bottles).


This looks like they actually used a piece of tile/stone to make the shelf. Doesn't look like it would be sturdy enough or would be easily chipped/broken? Whatta you think?


This is cute...It's a suction cup...Just not sure where to buy one.
http://thecoolgadgets.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/The-Feel-Good-Razor.jpg

So anyway....For our bathroom & vanity areas, I need or want at least:
Two towel racks
One toilet paper holder
Two - Something to hold toothbrushes in and it doesn't need to have a space for a cup.
Two - small shelves that are usually used to hold soap but I wish I could find a tile 'shelf' that's longer than a standard soap dish thingy.
For the shower..... I have 3 'large' bottles (shampoos, etc), Two different types of soap, shaver, etc. I like the 'corner' shelves....so I might have to go with several of them if nothing else exists (that I like).

I'm open for any suggestions, websites, etc.

Another question.... Our current bathroom, the accessories were installed ON TOP of the existing tile. Does it matter if you install it on-top or integrate it within the existing tile?

Thanks ahead of time!!

 

I am in the construction business and most stuff that we use is old standard stuff.
A lot of my costumers like build in shelves out of tile, and if you have some extra cash they can make you some neat stuff out of CORIAN. The nice thing about making things out of corian is that they have millions of colors to match your tile. If you do decide to go with corian just make sure you get a Corian certefied fabricator. Good luck!!!

 

Good luck with your remodel! Out of the 2 options you posted, I would go with the corner shelf (not a fan of the built ins personally). You may be able to get custom sizes, especially if you get a stone shelf. They're actually pretty sturdy since they're built into a corner and would take quite a shot to chip. If you have an idea of what you want, a local stone fabricator could probably make it for you. They also have cast stone products so they can create any color, patter, size or shape object you want.

If you mount the accessories into the tile, the grout will help to secure them. But, if surface mounted worked well for you in the past, no reason it wouldn't work again. They shouldn't be subjected to a whole lot of force anyway.

 

I just did my bathroom a few months ago. I used a slate tile in the bathtub enclosure and I bought some prefabed boxes that fit in the stud bays, you tile over the box and it looks awesome. I bought them at a tile supply house. Home Depot and Lowes didn't have a clue of what I was asking for. Building them yourself is a pain in the ass to get them waterproof. These just install right over the cement board. You run a thin coating of thin set around the edges to feather them in and tile right over it.

 

Do you have any pictures?

Thanks!!
I'm still in a scurry of making final decisions yet. I've grown a few extra grey hairs from all this research & decisions to make.

We are looking at Corian countertops and now I'm wondering if I can get pieces that match the countertops and use them in the shower as shelves. More stuff to research (and we actually have to decide on a color corian first). Waiting to hear from our installer also.

Keep the thoughts coming!! Thanks everyone!!

 

hey Janster! just popping in to say hey. also, we just moved into our new place about a month ago and are not at all happy with our master bedroom, so i want to stay subbed so i can read the suggestions

 

Good call! I work commercial construction and this isn't even an option anymore (it is but most owners are willing to pay for it to avoid water issues in a high rise). If you have wet walls, it's a great investment to waterproof behind the tile. Didn't even think about it for residential but definitely a must if you're planning on being there for a while!

 

I like the ones that go in the wall. I hate wall shelves... I'm always banging my elbow's on them

maybe you could get smaller bottles for shampoo, etc... and fill them up from the bigger bottles

Good luck on whatever you go with.

 

When I have done bathroom remodels for people they like me to frame in something that they can tile in............they like it because they can pretty much make it any size they want and place it where ever they want as well...............I don't know how big your job is or what your budget is like but if you can afford it............radiant heat in the flooring.........good luck!

 

or something like this...

http://www.organize.com/fochsodi.html

 

Thanks Gang!

I've been buying those accessory (metal) shelf units for years. Granted, I didn't spend very much on them. Seems they never lasted anyway regardless of how much money I spent. They'd get rusty, finish would corode, etc. So - my goal is to have enough shelves (per say) put in so I'll never have to buy those things ever again.

The idea of a framed shelving in the wall would be nice, I'm just not sure I want to spend that extra $$ to have our installer do it. I'm not picky, so a standard corner shelf would keep me happy (if you know what I mean).

Nice shower oswego!! My husband and I are newbies in terms of home remodeling. Our fist major project was refinishing our 1/2 bath - that turned out really really nice but took us forever to get it done!! We were originally gonna do this master bath ourselves...but we realized we can't go without using our shower for very long!! It's bad enough...our installer said it might take a full week to get the tub/shower area done and usable again!!

 

Jan:
We have the tile shelves in both of the bathrooms and like them a lot. They are easy to clean and hold up very well. If you install two of them there is usually enough space to hold the soap, shampoo and brushes.

That being said I will tell you that my wife uses one of the bathrooms and my son and I use the other. If you will both be using the same bathroom the shelf space may be cramped.

 

The 'week' was just a quick estimate on the installers behalf - otherwise, we had no clue. The only thing really wrong with the bathroom is the tub drain - it won't close. It's in the tub itself (or else we would've had it fixed). And the bathroom just needs an update. We're prepared to see anything and replace everything if needed.

It's only my husband and myself in the house and we use the same shampoo and soaps. I'm liking the tile shelves in the corners more and more, cuz they'd be the same color as the tile itself.

Question? Do they sandwich two pieces of tile together (backside to backside) to make the shelf? I'm assuming the backside of the tiles are rough and you woudln't necessary want that showing? And also, assuming two tiles sandwiched together would be stronger?

 

Question? Do they sandwich two pieces of tile together (backside to backside) to make the shelf? I'm assuming the backside of the tiles are rough and you woudln't necessary want that showing? And also, assuming two tiles sandwiched together would be stronger?

No not at all. The shelf is a separate piece of tile that will match your tile perfectly. On ours there is a small notch on the front lip to let water drain off the surface of the tile.

 

Is that something you have to ask the manufacturer for - like special order?

The tiles we picked didn't have any accessories available for that paticular color and material. Hence -why I thought you could make one from a standard tile. I should give the company (of the tile) a call and see if they have something for shelves - cuz I know websites/brochures aren't always updated.

Thanks!

Where do you go to ask for remnants ? Do the contractors keep it? Or does it go back to the stores from which they were ordered from?

We already picked out the tile but I'm willing to try anything and maybe I'll get lucky.

 

Jan:
If you are buying at a tile shop then they should know. If you are buying at a big box you might have luck with one of thier sales persons. I would call the manafactuer.

Another option is to go to a real tile shop with a sample tile and see if the sales person can match the tile.