Once you decide where you want the shelf (or shelves) to be in the shower, tile the walls up to this point. Then, instead of installing a tile flat against the wall, place the half tile into the corner where the grout would go. Continue tiling the walls, the upper and lower tiles will hole the tile shower shelf in place. If you have opted to install several tiles, take the time to hold an item comparable to what you plan to place on the shelf in the shelf space.



This will save you from putting your shelves too close together and being unsatisfied later - once the job is complete. You don't want to have a useless shelf in your shower, and you also don't want to have to start tearing our tiles to reset the shelf in a different place. Tiles can be expensive, depending upon what you buy, breaking some out to reset a shelf can easily add 30% to 50% of your cost on top of your budgeted amount. The old adage, "measure twice - cut once" certainly can come into play here.



Once you have finished the shower installation, grout the tiles of your shower wall and grout around the shelves. You will be very pleased with the look and utility of your new shower and shelves. Knowing that you were able to do it yourself is an added bonus. The key to any home improvement project that you want to do yourself is to have the proper equipment, enough materials to complete it and the patience to take it slowly. If you try to hurry through any kind of work that you have never done before, you will be disappointed.

It is better to return some materials if you bought too many, even if there is a restocking charge, than it is to not have enough. If you run short, you must stop the project and go buy more. In cases like installing tile, this means that the mastic or adhesive could dry before you get back with the needed tiles. This adds time and frustration to the process because you will need to prepare the walls again to hold the tiles.

A ceramic tile shower shelf is a wonderful, beautiful addition to your shower that will last for years.