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Covering a tile shelf niche?

8 years ago

Our master bath was done 10 years ago by the previous owner with a lot of nice finishes. We're looking to do some inexpensive aesthetic upgrades - replace the vanity that is cheap and tired, replace some of the lighting, new mirrors, etc.

Currently, the bath is marble tile floor to ceiling. Looks quite nice and we don't want to change that. But on the wall facing the double vanity, they included two tile recessed "niches". One for each sink. Essentially, that whole wall is marble, but then there are two recessed areas, approximately 2x3 feet, approximately 8 inches deep. Then they installed glass shelves in each niche. So they are quite large and comprise a lot of the storage in the bathroom. We hate them because all of our stuff is out on display. But I prefer storing things up here at eye level than in a vanity.

Any good solutions for still keeping these but hiding all of our stuff? The bathroom is modern so nothing frou frou like a curtain. Custom door? Other?

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Comments (3)

mark_rachel
8 years ago
A picture would help.
MongoCT
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I'm not understanding if these shelves are over the sink, like an open medicine cabinet, or if they are somewhere else. So...

Can you install a hinged cover to conceal the shelving, like a hinged picture frame? Looks like framed art on the wall, but it hinges open to reveal the content within.

hinged artwork frame
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Shelf in the niche...
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Comments (3)
Our tile installer did as Bill noted using a leftover piece of our travertine floor tile. He just softened the edges and cut it to size. Make sure that the tile you are planning to use for a shelf is wide enough so that you don't need a seam.
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I still have time to change this plan, and order a marble shelf to go in. How would this be done? The bottom tiles would be set, and then the shelf gets set on the top edge of the installed tiles. The top tiles then get cut to take into account the thickness of the stone and still keep alignment with the tiles on either side, and then they get installed. As for objecting to installing on top of the tile, yes and no. ANY kind of intrusion through the tile and waterproofing is cause for concern. But that can also be alleviated if it's "corked" back up with caulking. This one below, I'm showing you the unfinished pictures so you can see how it's done with the stone sitting on the tile's edges:
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My feeling about shelves (or anything) protruding or projecting from tub or shower walls, is to avoid them. I am a total klutz, and have been known to whack my elbow(s) on the recessed niche/shelf in my own bathroom (while reaching to take something from the niche, or, while putting something back. Having something projecting outward is just asking for an "ouch!" for a klutz like me. I've seen some beautiful, sill-like shelves in niches, but as flush as possible would still be my preference.
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When should I install my shower niche glass shelf?
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Comments (2)
I would install it after tiling, and use shelf clips before grouting or mechanically fastened type brackets to the tile after grout (but this would require holes in the tile/waterproofing).
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debbie1000
8 years ago
Something like a frameless mirror with hinges on one side (if that can be done).

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