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Shelf Height Above Toilet: How High to Hang a Shelf?

When it comes to your toilet, it’s important to consider how high your shelf should be. Choosing the right height for the shelf above the toilet will determine how much space you have on the wall for other fixtures, like the sink. 

Let’s find out what the shelf height above the toilet is and how high to hang it.

Shelf height above toilet

It is advisable to place shelves at least two feet or 24 inches off the ground to prevent items such as toiletries and cleaning supplies from falling into the water tank. With a low shelf, water will continuously flow over the sides of the toilet, causing stains.

Moreover, you should also consider how much space you have on the wall for other fixtures, such as the sink, that you would like to install.

If you already have a lot of clutter on your vanity or in your bathroom, it might be difficult to install shelves high enough off the ground if you have a lot of clutter there.

Take your time to compare different brands and styles to see what will fit best in your space and leave enough space above and around the toilet to install it. Adding a shelf above your toilet will help you store more items and make cleaning easier.

Bathroom shelf:

The bathroom self must also be at least 2 feet above the ground. In the bathroom, one prepares for a bath by resting and relaxing.

Therefore, your bathroom should have adequate storage so that you can relax easily while taking care of yourself. Nevertheless, a high shelf is a good place to store toiletries, moisturizers, and other toiletry items.

Floating shelf:

A floating self should be at least 10 to 12 feet above the ground. Floating shelves prevent water from seeping through the boards and rotting the lumber below.

High shelves are also great for storing laundry, blankets, and other items that could get wet if placed on the ground.

A high shelf is also a great place to hang a toiletry cabinet or toiletry shelves since these can be reached without climbing up on the toilet.

Towel shelf:

Hanging your towels above the toilet is a great way to keep them organized and out of the way.

There should be a towel shelf that is 28 to 48 inches high. The reason for this is that a high shelf prevents towels from touching the toilet or bathtub, as well as clothing that is dropped.

What is the code for the proper height to hang a shelf above the toilet?

It is recommended to hang shelves above toilets at a height of two feet. It is based on the assumption that most people don’t want anything falling into their toilets while they are using them, and that hanging the shelf high enough will prevent it.

Additionally, you can organize your bathroom by hanging a shelf above the toilet. Keeping all of your towel and grooming items together will make it easier for you to find what you need when you need it.

You may want to consider hanging the shelf lower on the wall if you have a very tall toilet or if you are concerned about falls.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that shelves above toilets not exceed 36 inches (914 millimeters) if they are to contain articles.

It is recommended that shelves above lavatories do not exceed 34.5 inches (864 millimeters) in height to contain articles. To hang a shelf above a toilet, you must ensure that your shelf’s height does not exceed these values.

How much space do you need between floating shelves in a bathroom above the toilet?

It is recommended to leave at least 4 to 10 inches of space between floating shelves above the toilet in a bathroom.

The idea behind this is based on the premise that the majority of people don’t want any items falling into their toilets while they are using the toilet, so hanging the shelf high enough will prevent this from happening.

The spacing of the shelves will also enable you to store more items on each shelf without needing to cram them together to make them fit, particularly if you are spacing them far apart from one another.

The space between shelves may be a bit of a concern for some people, as they don’t want their things to fall off, while others may require more space so that they can be able to store larger items or minimize clutter.

Due to this, once you have measured the distance between the ground and the top of your toilet, you will be able to determine how much space you would like each shelf to occupy once the distance has been measured.

5 factors that determine shelf height above toilet

While using the bathroom, the height above the toilet can have a significant impact on whether you curse.

In a low toilet, you will be likely to bump your head and mutter expletives under your breath while using it. Five factors determine shelf height above toilets:

The Age of the Property:

The ceilings of old buildings are typically lower and there is less space between the fixtures, cabinets, and walls.

In this situation, it is difficult to install shelves high enough above a toilet without compromising functionality. In contrast, newer buildings tend to have larger bathrooms that can accommodate higher shelves.

The Size of the Toilet:

A toilet’s size can also influence how high a shelf should be placed above it. Because a smaller toilet requires less space below the bowl for water storage, your shelves will need to be closer to the ground.

Larger toilets, however, require more space for water storage below the bowl and can be accommodated by a higher shelf.

The Shape of the Toilet:

Some toilets are round or curved, and therefore they require a different placement in comparison to toilets that are rectangular or square.

The shelves may have to be placed further away from each other to fit the shelves within the designated space of a curved toilet, for example.

The Location of the Toilet:

Designing a high shelf should also take the toilet’s location into account. You should account for moisture and wind drafts if it’s near a window or other open area.

Toilets located behind cabinet doors require less ventilation and protection from the weather if they are located in a closed area.

The Level of Comfort:

You may find that high shelves are uncomfortable if they are placed too high, or if there is not enough space between them and the toilet bowl.

You should consider designing a high-shelf bathroom with a comfortable sitting area where people will be able to relax after using the facilities to ensure that your customers are comfortable using it.

How do you install a toilet shelf?

To install a toilet shelf, you’ll need to replace the old vanity or cabinet with one that’s taller than the old one. Mount the new shelf above the toilet bowl using brackets or screws. To install a toilet shelf, follow these steps:

Do the measurement:

The first thing you need to do is measure the height of the shelf above your toilet. It is important to make sure that the machine is plumb and level before taking measurements, so be sure to use a level to make sure that it is.

Choose a shelf:

We have a wide selection of toilet shelves for sale on our website, and once you have taken your measurements, you can start looking for one.

The shelves that we have in store can be customized to meet your bathroom requirements in different shapes and sizes!

Level the toilet shelf on the wall:

Using a level, mark the position where your shelf will be installed on the wall once you have chosen the shelf you want to use.

Before proceeding to the next step, you should make sure that the shelf is perfectly plumb and level before you proceed with the next step of assembling the shelf.

At the marked spot, drill a hole in the wall:

You will now need to use a drill to make a hole in the wall at the location marked on the wall. Before drilling, check to see that the shelf is correctly positioned – if it’s not level, your toilet will be unstable and could wobble as you use it.

Screw the shelf into place with the screwdriver:

When the shelf is securely screwed into place, tighten it with a wrench and insert a screwdriver into the hole. The shelf may also need to be leveled with the help of a level to ensure that it is plumb and level.

Final Thought

In brief, shelves should be at least 24 inches high. Bathroom floating shelves should be at least 4 to 10 inches high. Installing a toilet shelf involves measuring the height of the shelf above the toilet, marking its location on the wall with a level, drilling a hole, and screwing it into place.