I don't know that I would store folded towels in ahem, aiming distance of the toilet, but nevertheless, it's a cool idea for space-strapped places. Perhaps storage for items in covered bins? ;)

Agreed... I'm a little skeeved by the thought of storing things at that particular level. Also, it makes the small space look very cluttered.

That second shelf is kind of a neat idea! And the nook over the tub is great, too. I've been trying to plan storage for my guest bath, so I might have to keep this post in mind.

I think the shelving looks a little bit awkwardly slapped together.

Initially I thought that the first photo was a before picture. Seeing it larger, it really is a lovely room, but I think that shelf takes away from it.

I don't understand why, in the corner where the higher shelving is, the owner doesn't just construct vertical corner shelving. It would look less cluttered and less odd to store things away from the toilet.

And the three trash cans are cluttering up the space as well.

I just think it's odd to build the higher shelving in this bathroom when space is already limited. The base of it is jutting out into the visual space...and unless that's a cabinet, it's not doing the bathroom any favors. Especially since it's an odd color (dark walnut?) match for this bathroom.

perhaps lucite would be better so you could still see the floor. also, it's impossible to keep staph germs from spreading around a bathroom (flush with the lid down always) so i wouldn't put a shelf around the toilet like that. why not add a glass shelf or two that niche by the tub?

What about using all that space above (and a little more out of "aiming" distance) the toilet. In the first picture it looks like you could easily make a large cabinet the width of the sink and toilet and by choosing mirrored doors the space would seem so much bigger.That's what I did in my bathroom. I have a wallhung toilet so I constructed a cabinet floor to ceiling to hide the pipes and provide storage. Pics here: http://ploefff.wordpress.com/2010/10/18/mere-rum-med-mindre-gulvplads/

I had a similar bathroom setup and put the shelves well above eye level. The worst that happened is that water ran up your arm when you reached up for the toothpaste.

I think you're begging to clonk your head or hand on that jutting shelf when splashing your face or bending over for any reason.

You don't have to keep all the "bathroom stuff" in the bathroom, just the daily-use things. The rest can go in a nearby closet.

I agree with glass shelves in the very cool niche, you can line up quite a bit on those. Then again, everybody can see your business.

I agree the lower shelf seems a bit unsanitary and the one jutting out above the sink seems a bit awkward as well. I love the nook/shelf area by the tub though. I think if you are lacking square footage for storage in a bathroom, doing built-ins between studs is a great solution.

I had to stare at the photo for a few minutes to realize that the "shelf" built around the sink and toilet actually has a storage component with drawers. So towels would not necessarily be resting on top near the toilet.

Anyway, still not my taste. It simply looks clunky to build storage in this area, and encloses the space. I would start by replacing the mirror for a proper medicine cabinet for the items that are currently next to the sink, then would consider installing another cabinet over the toilet (can't tell from the picture if there is already one now, above the tile?). If the budget allows, I would replace the sink entirely with an option with more storage.

I second amarie.

I don't get it. Let's crowd a bunch of barely useable shelving around and under the sink, an not use the niche above the toilet. One well designed shelf unit right next to the door for things you need readily by the sink could help that area reduce the visual clutter and crowding, then glass shelves in the niche for some pretty toiletries and such.

That wooden toilet seat is really just brings the space down.

You can't always put a "proper" medicine cabinet up, though, depending. My condo building does not permit sinking a cabinet into the wall (I think they figure people won't sister the studs and joists properly and just saw through things). I bought a very expensive surface-mount "thin" cabinet that isn't to everybody's tastes and doesn't fit anything too big. And no apartment building will let you mount a cabinet in a wall.

So shelving is still appropriate when you can't sink a medicine cabinet into a wall.

This is ridiculous and looks horrible and cluttered. And exactly what bathroom sink cabinets were designed for.

Tacky.

folded towels, behind the toilet?

I sometimes feel some people have a bit of a cleanliness freak, but no thanks on this one...