Shelves in the bathroom above the washing machine

Installing a washing machine in the bathroom can be challenging, as space can be quite limited. Often, you have to sacrifice extra cabinetry in favor of the washing machine, which raises the question of where to store jars, detergents, and other bathroom accessories. The solution is to use the space above the washing machine for shelves.

Ideas

There are countless options for shelves above the washing machine, depending on your available space and your imagination. You can make your own bathroom shelves, or you can buy ready-made ones and install them yourself. Here are a few ideas.

The photo below shows one of the simplest options for shelves above a washing machine. These shelves can be made of wood or MDF and attached to metal brackets. It is better to design the color of the shelves in accordance with the main color in which the bathroom is decorated.

One of the most beautiful options is niche shelves. This method works well when the room already has a niche suitable for a washing machine. If the bathroom is large enough, a niche can be created. A niche is advantageous because it protects the washing machine from moisture from the back and sides. The niche is made using a metal profile and drywall, onto which the tiles are then glued. The shelves themselves are made of MDF, glass, or drywall.

The photo below shows an MDF shelving unit with a niche for a washing machine. If the previous option is almost impossible to do yourself without the necessary skills, then this option is very simple.

And in the next photo, you see a ready-made version of shelves made from metal rails, a so-called shelving unit. The shelving unit is easy to assemble and install in the bathroom. So if you don't want to make anything, you can simply buy something already made.

Preparation of materials

Let's look at an example of how to build a shelving unit in a bathroom. You can make these shelves yourself without significant investment. To prepare the materials, you need to create a drawing of the shelving unit, showing its exact dimensions of height, width, and depth. The dimensions will depend on the size of the washing machine. The width of the shelving unit should be 3-4 cm wider than the width of the washing machine; the standard width is 59-60 cm, meaning the shelving unit will be 63-64 cm wide. The depth of the washing machine should fit completely into the niche of the rack, and as for the height, this is at your discretion. The optimal height is 2-2.5 meters. Firstly, it will provide more shelves and secondly, it will look more attractive. A structure that is too tall will be unstable and cumbersome.

To work you will need the following materials and tools:

• Chipboard with PVC coating;
  

  Important! PVC flooring can withstand the humidity typical in a bathroom. However, laminated MDF will swell and deteriorate from moisture.

• self-tapping screws;
• metal corners;
• 4 legs;
• tape measure and marker;
• screwdriver or screwdriver.

Assembling the rack

According to the drawing, you need to mark the material and cut out the parts. For a shelving unit measuring 2.5 x 0.45 x 0.64 m (H x W x D), you'll need the following parts:

1. two side panels measuring 247x45 cm;
2. lower crossbar measuring 67x10 cm;
3. 4 shelves measuring 64 x 45 cm;
4. roof size 67 x 45 cm.

Please note! You can order parts of the required size right away; specialized equipment will cut the material efficiently and affordably, simplifying the shelving assembly process.

In the picture below you can see the shelving unit we are describing with doors only. The chipboard parts are assembled together using self-tapping screws and corners. First, attach the roof and the bottom crossbar. Then, at a distance of 85.5 cm, attach the first shelf. Then, at a distance of 38.5 cm, attach three more shelves. Finally, screw the legs to the side walls, and the washing machine rack is complete. You can find out where to install this rack and the washing machine in this article. How to place a washing machine in the bathroom.

Making a glass shelf

If there's no room for a shelving unit, but a shelf above the washing machine is essential, it's best to make one out of glass. The shelf itself can be purchased at a hardware store, and your job is to secure it properly. For shelves, use glass at least 4 mm thick and cover it with a special film.

Glass shelves are mounted using aluminum profiles or decorative brackets. To install them on a tiled bathroom wall, use a drill (without hammer mode) to drill holes at the desired height above the washing machine. Then insert anchors into the holes, and then insert the brackets into the anchors. All that's left to do is secure the glass shelf in place, and that's it.

So, a shelf above the washing machine can become not only an additional place for toiletries but also a design element in the bathroom. Even if shelves weren't thought through during a major renovation, glass shelves will easily fit into any interior. They're easy to make yourself; good luck!

   

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