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Ideas for 1-foot space at end of tub?

8 years ago

We’re in the midst of a master
bath remodel and the tub just went in today! (btw, that's not a dent; the tub is protected with plastic.)

Opposite the tub is the toilet and linen cupboards (vanity in adjoining room). I've been planning on tiling the area at the head of the bath—where Sherman the cat is peeking out of—into a bench. But I wonder: is there any other useful/interesting/creative way to use this 12" x 32" space? My tub will not have a tile skirt, but since the side has a tile flange, we do have to tile on that side. Ideas?

Featured Answer

S Bailey

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I love this and did something like it in my house with a similar 12" space. It's amazing how useful I've found the extra storage. The advantage to this is that the space can be used, rather than almost solely decorative, as having the shelves open to the shower spray would be (PS, Sherman is adorable!)

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Comments (41)

csch
8 years ago
Narrow shelves above?
Tai M thanked csch
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Hmm, interesting! That's lovely.
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havingfun
8 years ago
here is one used in the upper part of a wall, but
Clasen Master Suite Remodel · More Info
what about something like this designed for kitchen cabinets or rather in between them, slide one under your bench.. As much as a love the one the previous poster per up, there is no way my hubby would keep that dry, maybe if you started at 4'?
Base Cabinet Pullout. 5 x 21 x 24 · More Info
Tai M thanked havingfun
havingfun
8 years ago
as I love the one the previous poster put up. excusem brain burps!
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
I should have mentioned that this will be a shower/tub combo, so shelving would have to be tiled, I assume.
mramsey
8 years ago
Totally aside, is that electric box in a safe location?
Tai M thanked mramsey
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Mramsey, I think the electrician placed that box there temporarily, since he had to remove one on a wing wall that was demo'ed. I'm sure it will be placed much higher up in the completed design, but I'll be sure to keep an eye on it—thank you for your sharp eye.
Shelby L
8 years ago
I was going to suggest something like the built in shelving. On the bath side it could be inset and lit shelves for shampoo etc and on the side for towels as shown in the shower photo. Since you are at this stage it's "easy" enough to build in and I think is longer lasting and looks classier!
Tai M thanked Shelby L
Shelby L
8 years ago
Something like this!
Tai M thanked Shelby L
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Shashashelby, that is really gorgeous. I've never seen an LED strip on a tiled niche before! I wonder just how costly something like this is...but I'm definitely going to show this photo to my GC on Monday.
havingfun
8 years ago
you know when i see those, they always look so pretty, but in my imagination, i see the mold down the ways once they get wet. the two slide outs i spoke of tai would be used in your molded frame work, just makes access easier.
Tai M thanked havingfun
Katbv Vero
8 years ago
Keep in mind your head will be on the shelf side of the bathtub. So I would think no open shelving towards bathtub.
Tai M thanked Katbv Vero
Shelby L
8 years ago
If you choose warm LEDs instead of cold then it can provide a nice ambience in the tub if you have it set on a separate circuit or you could have that and the overhead tub lights on a dimmer to provide a nice ambience for bubble baths (if you like them like me!)
Tai M thanked Shelby L
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
8 years ago
This is not exactly what I tried to find, but may get the idea across. At the end create a fully tiled tall niche with either glass or solid surface shelving (whatever ties in with your tile the best) and use it to store items needed for the shower. Yours would be different because you are tiling the outside of that wall next to the tub, but the concept would stay the same.

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Tai M thanked Brickwood Builders, Inc.
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks, Katbv. And come to think of it, that photo (the one Shasha posted) looks like a tub only—so probably wouldn't be advisable to do something like that in my case, since water from the shower could pool in the shelf area—hence the mold that havingfun is referring to.

I suppose that's why we so often see this tried-and-true solution:
Maureen
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Add a marble ledge like picture #2 and do a built in. Also attaching pic #1 to show that both ends don't have to be the same. It's may be useful to have a ledge to place things on.

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Tai M thanked Maureen
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Brickwood, just to clarify: you're suggesting the shelves face outward, not toward the tub itself?

My only concern with having a sort of column built up at the head of the tub to hold shelves is that it might feel closed in. As it is now, the small room feels bigger and more open since the wing wall (which partly enclosed the former walk-in shower) was removed. So I think whatever I do, I'd like to keep it lower down. Hope that makes sense.
Shelby L
8 years ago
Re the mold, I have them in a shower as do many people I know and as long as you clean them when you clean the tub they don't cause issues. But I suppose it's a personal choice :) I just like the look and enjoy the ease of use. I find it a much more attractive way to store things you use in the shower and it does make for nice ambience.
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Maureen, I also love ledges. You can never have too many ledges!
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
8 years ago
My suggestion was to face them in toward the tub and tile everything so they are waterproofed. Then use them as a shower niche would be used to store shampoo, conditioner, shave cream, etc. Based on the photo, it appears the shower head will be on the opposite end of the tub. This does not fit in with your additional comment that you don't want to close this space back up.
Tai M thanked Brickwood Builders, Inc.
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
That's correct, Brickwood: the space in question is on the right; the showerhead will be on the left. Sorry for the confusion: Now that I look at your photo more closely, I think that's exactly what I'd like to do: tile over the 1-foot space to the wall, so it's level with the lip of the tub (more or less), and then do tiled shelves into the wall, like niches. That way I get to keep the space open, but still have the storage.
indybullterrier
8 years ago
I'm mid-reno also and have a similar issue due to part of the chimney protruding into the bathroom (which limited the length of the tub and caused an awkward corner bump). We made a trio of niches facing into the shower, and we're leaving the gap open between the shower and the window wall to put a hook for robes. We considered shelves as others suggested, but I knew I'd never roll my towels and style them in a pretty way after week one so wouldn't be worth it for me.
Tai M thanked indybullterrier
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Indybullterrier (my favorite breed of dog!): I'm not much of a towel-roller myself. Are these shelves for a walk-in shower or tub/shower combo?
indybullterrier
8 years ago
Bullies are my favorite, too! Such funny clowning dogs. :)

It's a tub/shower combo, so the three niches are accessible from the inside of the tub. We're tiling the tub area up to the ceiling (including three niches), and the rest of the bathroom is tiled halfway up the wall.
PRO
Bilgart Design
8 years ago
On my projects I often use that space for a bench. It can become storage for toilet paper etc. accessed from the front of the tub.

It is very nice to have, you can put your leg up for shaving and if you have kids or pets, its somewhere for you to sit while you bathe them. You can still have a niche above with either shelves or a cubby to exhibit art or a plant. Don't do tiled shelves. They are hard to install properly ( and nicely) they are hard to clean, because of corners and grout. Instead spring for some tempered Glass shelves. They vcan either be surface mounted ( with brackets ) or tiled in depending on the skill level of your installer.It also looks to me like the electric box is too close to the tub?
Tai M thanked Bilgart Design
PRO
GannonCo
8 years ago
Is this a shower also or just a tub install? Look like just tub as no head plumbing. I would vote for installing a wall with the shelving on the outside. No reason to have shelves in a wet area. Like the white marble pic in the 4th reply down.

Why would they install the tub before framing out what you decide to put there? I like blocking above the tub lip. What did they use to set and level the tub?

Not the ideal spot for an outlet but not sure there is any hazard there? I don't think it is out of code but a licensed electrician in your area would be the one to ask.
Tai M thanked GannonCo
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Bligart—after considering various options, I agree that a bench would be the best use of that little space. And one or two tiled niches above, for bath items. We'll use Caesarstone for the shelves instead of glass.

Wannabath, it will be a shower/tub combo, with a Hansgrohe showerpipe to be installed after the tile is in. They set the tub in mortar. As there are two linen cupboards opposite the tub, I don't need much more storage, but I like the idea of narrow tiled shelves facing the tub, something like the photo Brickwood Builders posted above.

I believe the electrician has only temporarily placed the box there, since we had not yet finalized plans for that corner of the room.
Kenneth Gittins
8 years ago
Hello Tai I posted a photo of our shelving next to the tub on "bathroom remodeling" The dimensions are the same as your space, 12" x 32" . They work well for towels, shampoo, etc.
Tai M thanked Kenneth Gittins
Tai M
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks, Alpine29. It's so interesting to see the many different uses people find for this narrow space!
weathy
8 years ago
Here's one image for leaving the space open if bathroom feels smaller than you'd like. That ledge is perfect for a leg shaving foot rest too!
Barbara Almandarz
8 years ago
Shelves will always be put to good use, but consider a faux fireplace.
Mittens Cat
5 years ago
I think Sherman the Cat deserves a nice little perch in that spot...with tiny fireplace. :)
PRO
Pearl Remodeling
5 years ago
Add shelves or a ledge that you can place candles or incense on. It also gives you space to place soap, shampoo, whatever.
Anne McCook
2 years ago
I have a tub with this configuration but also have a showerhead and when people have tried to use it the shower curtain will not keep the water completely in the tub and the bathroom floor gets flooded. What is a solution other than shower doors so that a tub like this can be used as a shower and a tub??
felizlady
2 years ago
A nice tiled shelf/platform at the end of the tub can hold your bar of soap, bath salts if used, a foot brush, and any other little necessities.
Anne McCook
2 years ago
But how do you prevent everything from getting wet on the shelf if you take a shower and your bathroom floor getting flooded?
Anne McCook
2 years ago
Again I repeat I have a showerhead people think they can take a shower because I have a shower curtain but the shower curtain does not work with a shelf beyond the tub!
Anne McCook
2 years ago
I hate the look of shower doors with a tub I have ordered oversize long and wide shower curtains but the water still needs to be maintained within the tub!
Barbara Almandarz
2 years ago
Look for a shower curtain rod like this one.
Anne McCook
2 years ago
Thanks, I will check it out

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