Shelving for the Half-Bath

The last thing I need to choose for the basement half-bath is shelving. I just want a place to put some pretty odds and ends on the wall opposite the sink and toilet. I like these three choices:

  1. Wire 9 Cube Wall Shelf
  2. Ekby Valter brackets and Ekby Järpen shelves
  3. Wall-Mounted Bookcase

Remember, this is what I’m already working with for the rest of the room:

Which option would you choose?

Comments

96 responses to “Shelving for the Half-Bath”

  1. coasterkim Avatar
    coasterkim

    I think I don’t love the casual wire rack with the fancy gold mirror and towel hook. I think either #2 or #3 would look great, but I think #3 is my favorite.

  2. Taz Avatar

    I think option 3 fits best with the rest of the room…

  3. Cristina Avatar

    I think options #2 and #3 go best with your current theme. #1 seems out of place, like it belongs in either an office room, closet, or garage. So, if you have a LOT of odds and ends, go with #3. Otherwise, go with #2 for smaller odds and ends.

  4. Anne @ It's a Baltimore Life Avatar

    I like #2. I think #1 is too industrial and #3 is too modern for the space!

  5. shelley Avatar
    shelley

    2 or 3 are my favorites. I think #1 seems too overpowering.

  6. Martha Avatar
    Martha

    I think #3 goes best with the room. I love #1 but it might be distracting…

  7. Chroma Lab Avatar

    I vote #2. It’s going to come together beautifully!

  8. Jen Decker Avatar

    i vote for 3!

  9. Jamie @ Happy House, Happy Home Avatar

    Definitely #3! Loooove it!

    If you went with #2, would you do more than 1?

    And I agree that #1 looks too industrial and doesnt fit with your bathroom.

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      If I go with #2, I’d do two or three shelves.

  10. Michelle Avatar

    I like #3.

  11. heartartz Avatar

    I like 1 and 3
    But I picture something like this…or even a thrifted painted piece in black

    http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Salem_42W_Four_Shelf_Bookcase_with_Glass_Doors/120/

  12. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    I don’t care for #1 with the rest of the space, but the either of other options would be lovely.

  13. Danielle Avatar
    Danielle

    2! I think the shelf should be simple for your knick knacks to stand out.

  14. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    #2 is simpler, would keep clutter controlled. #3 would give you more room to play with and depending on the dimensions might be nice for a few rolled face towels/washcloths and decorative items, as long as the depth of the shelves isn’t too much. #1 says ‘too busy’ for me. I see form and function in #2, less so in #1 (but still enough), and none in #1 for a bathroom, particularly.

  15. Kathy Avatar

    I love option 3. Option 2 would work as well, but I like the unified look of 3. Option 1 seems a bit much.

  16. MaNai Avatar
    MaNai

    I like option 3 based on the other items you already have in the space.

  17. Alisa (mrsbcs) Avatar
    Alisa (mrsbcs)

    I am familiar with the #2 shelves and really like them so I vote for #2.

  18. julie s Avatar
    julie s

    If I were choosing, number 3 would be my pick!

  19. Annie H Avatar
    Annie H

    I hate to say this, but I don’t like any of them. Looking at your mood board all the shelves you selected seem out of place. It looks they would be the darkest thing in the room. Almost the focal point. Sorry.

  20. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    I vote for #2!

  21. Misty Avatar

    My vote is for #3. I think it is classy.

  22. Amanda Avatar

    #1 from CB2!

  23. PAppel Avatar
    PAppel

    Love, love, love #1 but don’t feel it would fit in with the rest of the items in the room. #2 and #3 would fit in nicely; however, all three have finishes that appear to be too dark for your bathroom’s palette. Are you planning on changing the finish on them? That might influence decision.

    1. Making it Lovely Avatar

      The design board is a little misleading, because the tile has dark gray (almost black) grout. I also found slightly different towels that have more black in them (from west elm, but they’re not on the site yet), so the black shelving will work well in the space.

  24. Brandi H. Avatar
    Brandi H.

    I like #2. But, #2 and #3 are very similar and I think would look nice. I don’t think #1 looks very functional or pleasing to the eye.

  25. Caitlin Avatar

    I vote for #3! I like how the linear lines of the shelves play off of the stripes in the cup, the towel and the sconce :)

  26. Megan Avatar
    Megan

    If I had to choose, I would go with number 2.

    What about this?
    http://www.wisteria.com/Wire-Basket-Wall-Shelves-with-Hooks/productinfo/W5178/

  27. Erin Avatar
    Erin

    I vote #2! I think #1 is too industrial and #3 might be too modern. #2 is just right. But really, I bet any one of them would look lovely in the bathroom.

  28. Melissa Avatar

    I really like option number 1!!

  29. Nina Avatar

    Personally I like number 1 the best….but, I think with the rest of the things you have chosen that number 3 would look the best in your bathroom. Can’t wait to hear which one you pick!

  30. Bre Avatar

    Option 3. I do like the idea of something done in wire or metal, just not that particular 9 cubby shelf.

  31. Kelsey Avatar

    #1 is super cute, but I’m not sure about introducing another metal into such a small space. As such, I’d go with #3.

  32. RD Avatar
    RD

    #3–I think this works best with your existing look. Beautiful bath!

  33. chelsea Avatar
    chelsea

    OOo, I’m a fan of the first!

  34. Patty Avatar
    Patty

    Definitely No. 3. What a pretty bathroom this will be!

  35. Jana Avatar

    I vote #2 so that the shelf itself does not distract from your pretty little knick knacks

  36. Jen K Avatar

    I like 2 or 3 : )

  37. Meredith Avatar
    Meredith

    Option 1 will be horrible to dust and as bathrooms seem to attract ridiculous amounts of dust that will be a problem down the line. I love 3. I think it adds visual interest and great clean lines!

  38. Nicole S. Avatar
    Nicole S.

    I actually like #1 the best. It is a far more interesting shelf, adds some texture and contrast.

  39. Heather Avatar

    #3, all the way.

  40. dana Avatar
    dana

    #2!!

  41. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Even though I love the wire racks, I’d vote for #2!
    Keeps it simple.

  42. Joy Avatar

    I really like #3!

  43. Sarah Jane Avatar

    I love the wire shelving, but the other two seem to fit the classiness of the bathroom better.

  44. Sanja Avatar

    I’d go with #1 to get a nice texture along with the shelving. It somewhat mimics the geometric shape of the tiles and adds more interest than the other two.

  45. Rebecca @ beautiful square feet Avatar

    Running the risk of going against the popular vote here, I really like number 1! It’s really funky, and I really like the juxtaposition of the industrial shelving versus your pretty Athro hooks.

  46. Jessica at Lavender and Lilies Avatar

    #3 is my fave. I have thought about that for my house too.

  47. Lila Ferraro Avatar
    Lila Ferraro

    Personally, I like one and three because they’ll give you the biggest storage option. But, three may look the best!
    xoxo
    Lila Ferraro

  48. samsonizzle Avatar
    samsonizzle

    My initial choice was #2. After being temporarily wooed by the West Elm photos, my senses returned to me and I realized you will be getting much the same look with the Ikea shelves, and you cannot beat the price. Your cute accessories will draw the most attention; I don’t think it’s necessary to splurge on what they’ll be sitting on.

  49. Valerie Avatar

    My vote is for #3. #1 could maybe work if you spray painted it white…

  50. Erika Avatar
    Erika

    Three!

  51. Ingrid Hames Avatar

    I don’t like 1, it reminds me too much of milk crates from the grocery. I think I like 3 the best, simple and stylish.. :)

  52. Anya Avatar

    Definitely #3.
    I’m looking forward to seeing it all done! :D

  53. heartartz Avatar

    This is so cool
    http://www.westelm.com/products/tall-industrial-metal-bath-cabinet-g286/?pkey=e|meatl%2Bindustrial|3|best|0|1|24||2&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Common%20Top%20Wide%20Rule%20Free%20Shipping-_-

    and so is this
    http://stores.homestead.com/hudsongoods/-strse-1632/industrial-perforated-metal-shelf/Detail.bok

  54. heartartz Avatar

    oops
    her is 1st link again:

    http://www.westelm.com/products/tall-industrial-metal-bath-cabinet-g286/?pkey=e|meatl%2Bindustrial|3|best|0|1|24||2&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Common%20Top%20Wide%20Rule%20Free%20Shipping-_-

  55. heartartz Avatar

    sorry…link does not work
    It should have gone to
    West Elm – Tall Industrial Metal Bath Cabinet

  56. Brittany Avatar

    #3. I love a good wall-mounted shelf and this one is clean and simple.

  57. reb Avatar
    reb

    2 for me!

  58. Emily Stearley Avatar

    One. I think the style of it is a nice contrast from the rest of the room. Plus, I like the “cubby” look for displaying fun things.

  59. meryl rose Avatar

    Number 3. The first looks like it belongs more in a garage, and the second just isn’t fun enough for you.

  60. lori Avatar
    lori

    three three three!

  61. Dianna Avatar

    I vote for 3 also, although I have a soft spot for 1 because i have it in my dining room & love it. any of these choices will look great!

  62. Tracy Avatar
    Tracy

    I vote for #3.

  63. Robin Avatar

    We are all in love with west elm these days!! I can’t get enough ;)

  64. Rachel H. Avatar
    Rachel H.

    Number THREE!!!

  65. Kirsten Avatar

    My personal favorite is #1, but it’s too industrial for your space, and #2 while budget friendly, will probably look too cheap in your space. So my vote is for #3.

  66. Renee Nordholm Avatar

    I also vote for #3

  67. Julie Anne Avatar
    Julie Anne

    Of the choices you have, I like 2. My friend used them in her kitchen recently, and I wasn’t sure until I saw them up.

    Have you thought of something vintage-y looking to coordinate with your vitage plumbing and lighting fixtures? This Polder shelf and towel rack combo would be useful and space-appropriate:

    http://www.polder.com/80-05.html

  68. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    I vote 2 or 3. 1 looks too much like high school locker accessories to me. The solid shelf will look better with pretty things, I think.

  69. WES Avatar
    WES

    I like #3 for the bathroom, and I don’t think you necessarily need to get it in white. I think the black could look really nice as a contrast to the white of the toilet and sink.

    #1 is nice for general storage in either a basement or a playroom but I don’t think it fits with your bathroom even if it is in the basement.

  70. Mandi Avatar
    Mandi

    I think #2, it floats some negative (wall) space between layers and I think that is very important in such a small space. The other shelves are too busy for that area. Besides, you won’t need to put much down there – a couple decorative items, a spare set of hand towels . . . that’s it.

  71. christy Avatar
    christy

    when will we see the new baby’s nursery? Did I miss it?

  72. Amanda Avatar

    Three! I like the clean lines and there’s a lot of space between the shelves to stack high or have space there. And you’ll have more control compared to number one as there’s not a lot of control over where to put the items as they’re in “boxes”

  73. ashleyD Avatar
    ashleyD

    i vote for 3!!

  74. Allison Avatar
    Allison

    I like three the best on it’s own, but I think two works the best with the style of the space.

  75. alison Avatar
    alison

    I love number 1. Just do.

  76. Katie Avatar
    Katie

    #3. :)

  77. Katie Avatar

    Go for #3…

  78. Janine Avatar
    Janine

    my first choice would be #3, with #2 coming in second.

  79. melinda KE Avatar
    melinda KE

    I would use the Ekby Valter brackets and Ekby Järpen shelves, maybe two or three of them, with some nice baskets. I also like #2 if you have enough floor room. I can’t wait to see the room all put together!

  80. AK Avatar
    AK

    not #1

  81. Natalie Avatar

    #3 ~ I love the clean lines and modern feel. It seems like it would go best with the rest of the plan. Can’t wait to see it all come together! :)

  82. Parakh Avatar

    I initially thought #3 – but then considering what you have already chosen I would go with #2 – it think it would fit nicely and bring attention to your knick nacks and not so much the shelves

  83. Ashley Avatar

    I think either 2 or 3, the first one looks like something that would go in your utility closet.

  84. Kimbydee Avatar
    Kimbydee

    #1 looks vintage and quirky both. Love it!

  85. S. Shaw Avatar
    S. Shaw

    I like #2.

  86. Tyla B Avatar
    Tyla B

    No. 1 is too college dorm-ish for me. I like 3 if you were going to work it into a niche. So I guess I’ll go with 2, since it is the least imposing, but it doesn’t look like it will hold much – which may be what you are going for. I’m not much help am I? I think the bathroom is going to be be-a-utiful!

  87. Amelia Avatar

    I think I’d do #3 in buttercup to match other accessories!

  88. Art Avatar

    No.1 would be better for storage, but since you say this is for display, I also pick #3.

  89. […] made the trip out to IKEA on Saturday with August, specifically to buy the Ekby Shelves for the basement bathroom. They’re only seven inches deep (vs. 12″ for the west elm bookcase I had been […]

  90. Amanda Avatar

    I’m voting #1 because I have two of those. They both currently are hanging in my kitchen.

    I love them! They get a lot of compliments because they are so interesting in person. They’re pretty sturdy, as well. I currently am displaying all white knick-knacks in them, but in our old apartment I used them for DVDs and other things. They’re pretty versatile.

  91. Minneapolis Apartments Avatar

    Love #3 but not in the context of your bathroom… This is an older post so I can see into the future.. ;)