Should I put shelves above the toilet?

Author: Shannon Blanda  |  Last update: Thursday, November 20, 2025

Yes, you can install shelves for bathrooms over toilets as long as they are properly installed. Shelves can display decorative items more openly than a cabinet above the toilet might. And just as with a cabinet, make sure there is at least 24 inches of clearance above the toilet tank.

How high should I put shelves above the toilet?

A good rule of thumb is to plan on having at least 24'' between the top of the toilet tank and the bottom of your shelf. This should give you plenty of room to not hit your head, but it won't feel awkwardly high.

What do you do with space above toilet?

In addition to art on the wall, I would suggest getting a little tray or shallow basket to put on top of your toilet tank. You can then fill it with things like air freshener, Kleenex, faux flowers, extra TP, etc.

Why do some toilets have a shelf?

It's called an ``examination shelf''. It's so that you can examine the contents of your excrement before flushing it, to make sure that everything in your digestive tract is ``in Ordnung''.

What size picture above toilet?

To best decorate above your toilet you will want to select a picture frame that is roughly the same width as the toilet tank.

35 Smart Over the Toilet Storage Ideas To Help You Keep Everything In Place

Should you hang a picture over a toilet?

Choose pieces as wide as the toilet tank to create balance between the two. A tall vertical piece or a combination of pieces hung in a column will help fill the space. Leave enough space between the back of the toilet and your art to display some accessories such as: tissues box, folded towels, a basket etc.

How much clearance do you need above a toilet?

Overall, proper toilet clearances contribute to efficient bathroom design and promote well-being for all users. Minimum clearances between the face of the toilet fixture and the wall or nearest obstruction element are at least 24” (61 cm) but are recommended to be 36” (91 cm).

Why do Dutch toilets have shelves?

It not only allows you to do a health check with a quick inspection of your stool, but it also prevents water from splashing you when making a deposit. If, like many, you are not used to this type of shallow flush toilet, you'll notice that not only are you faced with the sight of your excrement but the smell too.

What is the thing above the toilet called?

The toilet tank is the large container above and behind the toilet bowl which holds water to flush away waste in the bowl. Toilet tanks and toilet bowls are usually two separate parts that become attached upon installation.

What is the ideal space around a toilet?

Toilets: Similar to wash basins, allow 20 cm on both sides for room to move. A 60 cm space is needed in front of the toilet. Bath tubs: A free-standing model needs 55 cm space all round so that people can experience its full effect. A standard bath tub is roughly 170 x 75 cm in size.

What do you put between toilet and floor?

You will want a high-quality, waterproof caulk specifically for bathroom use to meet the code. These caulks will withstand the extra moisture and wear of a bathroom. Silicone bathroom caulk tends to perform best for sealing toilets. It's water-resistant and flexible.

Is it OK to have toilet above kitchen?

Is it Okay to have Toilet above Kitchen As Per Vastu? Vastu Shastra says that the toilet should not be above, below or in front of the kitchen.

What is the rule for floating shelves?

The rule of thumb for spacing is 12 inches between each shelf but bump that up to 15 or 18 inches and you enhance that sense of exposure and accessibility. Length is where you'll see the most variation.

How high should frame be above toilet?

Since most toilets are less than 30 inches, the centre of the picture should hang 56 to 60 inches from the floor. Hanging art near furniture isn't like hanging art directly above furniture; in most cases the centre of the picture should still be 56 to 60 inches from the floor.

How high should a hand towel bar be above a toilet?

The ideal towel bar height can vary for different people. However, the standard height for a bathroom towel bar is 48 inches above the ground. That guideline should also work for a towel rack over a toilet.

What is the purpose of the shelf in a toilet?

Reverse flush toilet, also known as a washout toilet, is a type of flush toilet containing a shelf which holds the excrement out of the water until the flush. This could be to make inspection easier, to reduce splashing, or just tradition. It facilitates taking a stool sample.

Why do toilets in Europe not have seats?

The reason behind the mystery of missing toilet seats: squatters. Toilet squatters, specifically. The toilet seats break over time after people stand on the seat to avoid the mess potentially on its surface. Much like the Colosseum, only part of the original structure still stands.

What is the toilet looking thing in European bathrooms?

Bidets are primarily used to wash and clean the genitalia, perineum, inner buttocks, and anus. Some bidets have a vertical jet intended to give easy access for washing and rinsing the perineum and anal area.

Is it better to pee with the toilet seat up or down?

While it was also found to make the droplets larger and more concentrated with bacteria, the broad consensus among scientists is that it's more hygienic to flush with the lid down.

Should you close the toilet lid after pooping?

Though it's been said that closing the lid will stop tiny fecal particles from spreading across your bathroom, a new peer-reviewed study published in the American Journal of Infection Control is now claiming the positioning of a toilet's lid really doesn't make much difference at all.

Does keeping the toilet lid closed cause mold?

For the toilet you rarely use in the house, make sure to flush it at least once daily. Also, lift the lid to avoid darkness inside the bowl; mold thrives where there is stagnant water and darkness.

How far should shelves be above a toilet?

Shelves can display decorative items more openly than a cabinet above the toilet might. And just as with a cabinet, make sure there is at least 24 inches of clearance above the toilet tank.

What is the code for a toilet space?

The clear space in front of water closets and bidets in residential structures shall be 21 inches (533 mm) minimum. For all other occupancies, the clear space in front of water closets and bidets shall be 24 inches (610 mm) minimum.

What does "rough-in" mean for toilets?

Toilet Rough-In Measurements and Standards

Start by measuring the rough-in size. This is the distance between the wall behind the toilet and the center of the drainpipe or the bolts that hold the toilet to the floor. It's best to perform this measurement before you remove the old toilet.

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