SF Good Questions: Help Me with My Shower Storage Dilemma?

hi there at:sf, we just finished up our bathroom remodel, but i am having a shower storage dilemma. we did not incorporate any recess shelving for our toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc.). we've always had a hanging shower caddy and i even purchased the simple human adjustable shower caddy. however, i went to install it and realized that our kohler purist shower arm is too thick for the shower caddy to grip it...

...am wondering about readers' experience with installing a shower shelf or basket. it scares me a little since i have never drilled into tile before. i am less worried about cracking the tile than the possibility of rust stains on our nice new white subway tiles. if i did this, should it be mounted under the shower head or on the opposite wall? if i buy a high quality shelf or basket (motiv or ginger) and use the proper fasteners, should i worry about rust staining? any thoughts? thanks for your help!

-meredith

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Link: Simple Human Adjustable Shower Caddy

Comments (18)

Hey there Meredith -- there was a post with a slideshow on how to put up a shelf in the bathroom not too long ago right here on AT.

you can find it here:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/how-to/how-to-mount-hardware-in-tile-013010

Looks like a fairly simple DIY job -- good luck.

hey,

i have two of these: http://www.gingerco.com/product.asp?type=col&col=117&catcol=498&prodid=2238

i love em! of course, my bro the contractor installed them, but they didn't look that hard haha! just need a good drill and the right bit. and someone to do it! ;)

anyway, they do not rust, they're strong, they look awesome, and they're extremely roomy. sold yet?

katy

I use the suction type basket, but I'm thinking of changing to the pole in the first comment. I check the basket frequently to make sure it is still stuck to the wall. They have fallen off. Good luck. Your makeover looks very nice.

If you get a quality piece of bath hardware, you won't have rust issues.

As far as where to install it: Which way do you face when you shower? Do you face the showerhead or do you face away from the showerhead? The direction you face is where you put the basket.

I had the same problem in my old bathroom. My $2 solution was to screw a nice hook into the plaster just above the top of my tile. From it I hung the bath caddy. Worked great, and better still, because it was away from the drip, drip, drip of the shower head, everything dried nicely.

I second SubwayKnitter's solution of screws above the tiles and a hanging shower caddy.

I had the same dilemma in my new shower recently (we actually have the same fixtures as you!) and i didn't want to ruin the nice look of the tile & fixtures with a caddy hanging in the middle of it all.

We wound up getting this from bed bath & beyond:
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=108655&RN=182

We got the one in the top left. This whole series has suction cups that "lock" on so they don't slip off, ever.

As for where to put it, i put it in the back of the shower, down in the corner so its as inconspicuous as possible. I really didn't want a shower caddy messing up the look of my new shower! :)

You don't have to worry about rust if you get stainless steel screws - or so I'm told. I was never able to find any at the hardware store. Instead I just used a little clear nail polish to seal up the head of the screw. Worked fine.

I'm a huge fan of the tension rod caddy in the first post. I've had mine for four years -- It's easy to clean, doesn't rust and holds all of my assorted bath goodies. Worth every penny!

I have this and love it:

http://www.dispenser.com/

No mess, no footprint, and attractive.

What about one of those clear shower curtain liners that have mesh pockets attached? Something like this: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=11988105

I have had one in my shower for a few years now. It's so much easier to keep the shower clean when there aren't bottles sitting on any surfaces. Best of all, there is nothing to install!

a different spin is to make the shower curtain the storage.. use this inside
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=11988105
If the pockets don't have drainage then puch a hole with a hole puncher.. but think the pockets are all mesh and it's guaranteed not to mold!!! Walah

Get the hanging caddy available at The Container Store ... hmr posted the link above. I have one of these and it's great.

i got what the first poster, katherineb, got and it revolutionized my shower. it holds a ton and doesn't budge or rust.

SubwayKnitter ---

that is def. a fab. & economical method!