What kind of soap dishes/shelves to put in subway tile shower

11 years ago

if I am going for a vintage/older look? The shower can't accommodate a niche, so we need to put shelves in, but I'm curious if anyone has any good ideas for the best material to use?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

palimpsest
11 years ago
I did a 24" x 6" marble shelf along the back wall of the tub that fit into the corner on one side and was rounded on the other.

You could just do:
http://products.daltile.com/series.cfm?series=53

Or something from Plum Street

These are super basic but it was the classic choice for decades.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plum Street
kmcg
11 years ago
Yes, those built-ins palimpset posted would give a very authentic vintage look. In my new subway shower, I have a niche but also added a small corner basket-type shelf in polished chrome - Hotelier by Ginger. Got it on sale, and it was a perfect supplement to the niche.
Related Discussions
Tile soap dish has fallen out ... can it be repaired?
Q
Comments (5)
Just a note that i read here in the past. The soap dishes like you've got were referred to as dangerous because people grab the bar that is meant to be for wash clothes. You might be able to find a match that doesn't have the bar in case you are concerned about this safety issue.
...See More
No soap dish in shower/tub?
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks for the recommendations! It looks like the Ginger splashables screw directly through the tile to the wall - do the HCP niches install the same way?
...See More
Inset soap dish or corner shelf?
Q
Comments (9)
I've done both. The ceramic pre-fab corner caddies are OK for subway tile or traditional 4" tile, the soap doesn't slide out and they have a drip cutout.....aside that, I think they generally look cheap. For a porcelain or stone-type shower, I generally fabricate a corner shelf out of marble or granite and set it into the tile. Some tile stores sell these and they don't look bad....but, as was said, they provide an obsticle that can be chipped or broken. Niches look the best, don't protrude into the shower and are the hardest/most expensive to fabricate. There are "ready made" ones that you can tile on and they do have a slope built into them (as should the ones you fabricate) so there is no collecting water. Here is one I fabricated for a houseboat shower. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Lazarus/BoatTile009-1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Lazarus/BoatTile019.jpg[/IMG] And one I did in a "Subway Tile" shower (walls not grouted yet) [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/Lazarus/kerdishowerpics005.jpg[/IMG]
...See More
Help! No soap dish in tub/shower
Q
Comments (6)
As most guests don't take baths buy one of those multi-liquid dispensers that stick to tile or the wall. You put them at the height that would be comfortable for accessing while taking a shower. They come in anywhere from 2 liquid containers to 4-5. They also come with labels to stick on the outside which states what you filled each dispenser with. It is good to get a 3 or 4 container dispenser. That way you fill one dispenser with liquid soap, another with shampoo, and another with hair conditioner. I've seen them in different plastic colors or faux stainless. You just press a button on the bottom to open up the enclosure that reveals all the dispensers. Take the cap off of the dispensers you will use and put in the appropriate liquids. They beat a soapdish or one of those shower caddies with a stick. They have them at places like Bed, Bath, & Beyond and most any bath shop. I'm sure they have them at Target or Walmart too. It just depends on how nice a product you want. And you never have to worry about soap "melting" in the soapdish or bottles of conditioner or shampoo cluttering up the area. Greg
...See More
phiwwy
11 years ago
I used Ginger corner baskets and love them. I used 2, one over the other. Same size, the bottom one holds the soap. Lots of big bottles fit in them.
threeapples
Original Author
11 years ago
If we have well water the Ginger ones may corrode, right?
User
11 years ago
"If we have well water the Ginger ones may corrode, right?"

No, they won't "corrode" but they may get rust stains or other mineral deposits on it. Just like all of the innards of your pipes and other plumbing fixtures.

If you have well water, you need to get it tested and treated accordingly. Or else you will have an ongoing problem with maintaining your home's water contacting surfaces. And all of those expensive faucets and shower valves may need to be bought again.

Related Stories

SHOWERS Turn Your Shower Niche Into a Design Star

By Becky Harris

Clear glass surrounds have raised the design bar for details such as shampoo and soap shelves. Here are 4 standouts

Full Story

152

KITCHEN DESIGN 10 Gorgeous Backsplash Alternatives to Subway Tile

By Vanessa Brunner

Artistic installations, back-painted glass and pivoting windows prove there are backsplash possibilities beyond the platform

Full Story

117

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Pick a Shower Niche That's Not Stuck in a Rut

By By Any Design Ltd.

Forget "standard." When you're designing a niche, the shelves and spacing have to work for your individual needs

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Stylish Sink Types for Kitchens of All Kinds

By The Inman Company

Choose the wrong sink and your kitchen renovation efforts may go down the drain — these sinks will let you clean up in the style department

Full Story

BATHROOM VANITIES Better Places to Stash That Soap

By Fred Albert

Banish gloppy bars and flimsy pumps, and the only things you’ll need to clean are your hands

Full Story

148

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Recipes: Secret Ingredients of 5 One-of-a-Kind Cooking Spaces

By Sheila Schmitz

Learn what went into these cooks’ kitchens — and what comes out of them

Full Story

121

KITCHEN DESIGN Where Should You Put the Kitchen Sink?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Facing a window or your guests? In a corner or near the dishwasher? Here’s how to find the right location for your sink

Full Story

136

THE HARDWORKING HOME Where to Put the Laundry Room

By Mitchell Parker

The Hardworking Home: We weigh the pros and cons of washing your clothes in the basement, kitchen, bathroom and more

Full Story

406

KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES 8 Clever Ways to Put Your Backsplash to Work

By The Inman Company

Leave art for art's sake to another spot. Hardworking cooks deserve a kitchen backsplash that helps them do their job

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Pet-Friendly Design: Making Room for the Dog Dish

By Mary Jo Bowling

In a dog’s life, you eat on the floor. Except in kitchens like these, where pets are factored into the design

Full Story

119

What kind of soap dishes/shelves to put in subway tile shower

Comments (5)

palimpsest

kmcg

Related Discussions

phiwwy

threeapples
Original Author

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

What kind of soap dishes/shelves to put in subway tile shower

Comments (5)

palimpsest

kmcg

Related Discussions

phiwwy

threeapplesOriginal Author

User

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

threeapples
Original Author