Apart from banning hand-washing, how do I sort this out please?

[ChoporNot]

Teeny, tiny downstairs loo. Boxed in plumbing so MDF shelf needs to be removed if changing taps etc.

All replaced/refreshed about 6 months ago as I needed to change the taps and the shelf/wall had got water blown. I changed the tap design to mitigate the drips - which has worked to a degree as the wall paint is not being blown

But it has happened again to the shelf. And by the towel as well. I have accepted that as the sink is very small (30cm across) drips are inevitable.

So how do I keep the shelf look nice/not blown?

I could tile the shelf (but then would it be removable?). Repaint it and then varnish it? Waterproof paint (is there such a thing?) Plastic shelf/re-purpose some UPVC cladding of some sort?

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Glass/ceramic Top to shelf?

Plastic tray?
Piece of melamine?
Tile a piece of wood the right size and overlay it?

Yatch varnish

Fablon? Sorry, very DIY on a Budget but could work...

uPVC would do the job.

Some sand blasted/ frosted glass could look nice. Either white or you can get it with more of a greeny tinge.

Of course there is waterproof paint. Just buy exterior paint instead of interior.

Pretty much any paint will blow with constant water (even exterior). Exterior gloss will last a bit longer, or yacht varnish as @GreenTulips said.

Personally I would get glass or (easier to cut to size) Perspex to overlay the area, silicone seal round the edges. It is still removable (albeit a bit of a pita). If Perspex get or borrow a dremel (or equiv) with a polishing head to make the edges smooth and shiny once you cut to size - which you can do with a hacksaw or jigsaw.

You could remove the boxing? If they're good, copper pipes, polish them and make a feature of them?

Sort of industrial look?

I'd move the toilet roll holder and put the towel holder there...most of the water would splash onto the towel instead

With all that water flicking about the toilet roll must be wringing wet most of the time!

Otherwise some gloss paint ...that should last better.

I assume that you're using kitchen and bathroom paint on the walls behind the towel? I'd expect that to stand up to a fair bit of moisture really.

For the woodwork you need oil-based gloss, not the water-based stuff that just last as well. I would also be pretty diligent about wiping it every time you notice it's damp. Or consider putting a small basket of little towels, or similar, on the shelf to protect it from splashes. You know how they have little individual towels for people to dry their hands in fancy restaurants? But obviously tell the rest of the family not to use them, because they're just for decoration!

Tile it!

Small plastic tray with a plant to cover the area

OK. These are all great ideas, thank you.

I am going to try the laziest option first. Have ordered a small plastic tray from amazon that fits the space and I can casually put some hand cream and a nail brush in it (to stop it looking random).

If it looks totally random/odd I can send it back.

My next choice might be the yacht varnish - I can get a small pot for about £5. The only thing is the reviews comment on the smell/fumes need to do it outside/ventilate for hours and hours - which could be a bit of an issue as the window is on the side of the house so accessible from the front drive.

I had thought perspex when we redecorated but forgot to actually get round to doing it. That too may be a thought.

Thank you.

I'd go with @Wilmalovescake's suggestion.
Tile and edge a strip of waterproof tile backing board cut to size (slightly wider than current shelf width so it completely covers the current shelf).
Use waterproof grout.
In my house, this tiled strip would be held in place with either dobs of blue tack or, more likely, florists fix, which is the same principle but green and waterproof.
When access needed to pipes beneath, you can just lift off and replace without having to destroy your tiles.

If you go with tiling, best option may be to hold down the wood that you tile on to, with channel magnets. Easy way to make it accessible, without having to screw it down or glue it

Ooo liking the magnets idea.

I have checked out some "cut to size" perspex prices - will be about £40 give or take.

Will see how the plastic tray is and then explore some of these other ideas.

Get rid of the MDF as it's not suitable for water splashes, and use a piece of solid wood or exterior plywood. Then prime, undercoat and top coat with decent exterior paint.
Your problem is because the MDF absorbs the water much like wheetabix and then loses its integrity completely.
A simpler option is some kind of waterproof cladding, even upvc cloaking or fascia board would do if you don't mind the look.
I've used exterior plywood on an outside light mounting board for roughcast render and it's been there a good few years and still looks fine. Even when it's damp the plywood is stable.

Yes to marine (exterior) ply. Marine ply plus eggshell paint is remarkably water resistant. I imagine yacht varnish would make it even more so.

If you have a stone merchant or solid surface worktop fabricator near you, you could ask them to let you know if they ever have an offcut the right size. Probably wouldn’t charge you much as it would be unusable for anything else.