Everyone can always use a little more storage space, right? These DIY bathroom shelves are a great storage solution for your bathroom! Take advantage of that empty wall behind your toilet and build these bathroom shelves over the toilet for only $25.
Who else has one of those wasted spaces above the toilet?
Ya know, the space where you hang a pretty picture trying to fill the void?
Who else needs more bathroom storage?
Who doesn’t?
Well, I used to have one of those spaces above the toilet….
and I used to need more bathroom storage……
But then, Grunt Labor (being the powerful force he is) made these great bathroom shelves above the toilet to fit between the walls.
Built-In Bathroom Shelves
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Materials and Supplies Needed:
*Obviously, these shelves will vary in size depending on your space. Therefore, I have made notes as to how much to get in terms of how big your shelves are.1″ x 2″ x 8ft Furring Strips (supports for shelves – get 22 inches of this per shelf )
- 1″ x 12″ x 10ft Common Boards (actual shelf surface – get pieces as wide as your shelves will be.)
- Decorative Molding – I used basic chair rail. You’ll need as much of this as each shelf is wide.
- Stud Finder
- Nail Gun & Nails or Hammer and Finish Nails
- Saw (either a miter saw, circular saw or handsaw. I used our miter saw. You could also pre-measure and have the pieces cut at your local home improvement store.)
- Level
- Measuring Tape
- Pencil
- Paint Color Of Your Choice
Steps
Step 1
Cut two pieces of the furring strips at 11 inches long each.
Mark your studs on the side walls.
Using a nail gun or hammer and nails, attach one strip to each side wall where you want a shelf, making sure the strip is level.
Step 3
Cut your molding to the same length as your shelves. Attach it to the front of the shelves using a nail gun or finish nails and a hammer.
Step 4
Repeat for as many shelves as you want, then finish with paint.
It only cost about $25 to make both of these shelves. We did have some scrap wood laying around, but it shouldn’t cost you much more than that. Check the scrap lumber bins at Home Depot and Lowe’s for great deals.
This open shelving makes great extra storage for toilet paper, decorative items and other bathroom necessities. On top of that, this a great space saver for bathrooms and helps to get things up off the floors!
See how I built these same shelves, but bigger for storage in my daughter’s playroom HERE!
Need more bathroom inspiration? You’ll want to see these then…
Remodeling a Bathroom on a Budget – without compromising on style!
Classic Blue and White Bathroom Remodel – on a budget!
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[email protected] says
Those look very nice! I’ve come with some great ideas for built in shelving (at least to me!) in our home, but then I remember that we’re only renters. Phooey! haha
[email protected] says
A perfect solution for a space that never has enough storage. We just did something similar in our girls’ bathroom in an odd little alcove behind a door. Twisterbars- we are renters too and do it anyway. Wholes are easy enough to patch when you leave. Live in your home and make it work for you!
Karen at Bargain-ista.com says
These are awesome! Love the finished look! Thanks for the tutorial 🙂
Lisa @ Diary of a {Wannabe} Domestic Diva says
Oh these look awesome and super easy! I may have project to do tomorrow!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
They were soooo easy, Lisa! If you do them, I would love to see your finished product!
Our Pinteresting Family says
Fantastic idea! Looks great. 🙂
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks!!
Michelle says
Visiting from the 2012 Pinfest link up. I have the same type of narrow toilet area and love this idea for it!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Michelle, Thanks for stopping by! I love having the extra storage in my bathroom with these shelves! It makes a weird kind of space useful!
The Thriftiness Miss says
These shelves look fabulous! and you make it look so simple too 🙂 This would be perfect for my laundry room that I’m working on now. Pinning for a reminder 🙂
Thanks so much for following The Thriftiness Miss too.. GFC following you back now. Have a great day!
Jenna LaFevor says
Thank you!! They are SO simple!! Thanks for pinning and I’m so excited that you are following now!!
Mommy Mandy says
So simple and easy!! Love it!
Jenna LaFevor says
Yes, Mandy they were! Thanks for stopping by!
Gretchen says
Those look great! I have a little over the toilet nook like that in my hall bath, too….keeping this in mind for whenever I get around to redoing that bath.
Jenna LaFevor says
Thanks, Gretchen! They were way easy to do! So happy you dropped by!
Missy says
Love this idea for our tiny half-bath! One question for you: what is the depth of the boards? I have some 1 x 10 and 1 x 8, so I wasn’t sure if one of those would work. Thanks!
Rain on a Tin Roof says
Missy, thanks for stopping by! These were way easy to make! The depth of our shelves are 8 inches without the molding. That adds a 1/4 inch or so. We had enough room to do 10 inches deep, but just went 8, so I think you could do either one! Would love to know how they turn out! Thanks for stopping by again!
happyvballgirl says
Oooh, love this one too! Pinned! Thanks for all the great ideas! 🙂 Diana Rambles’ Pin Me Party. 🙂
Christine 🙂
Diana - FreeStyleMama says
I love the shelving!
Amanda says
This is a great idea! We have a similar room and I think it would look great!
Christine @ First Home...Love Life says
I’ve been wanting to something similar in our master bath toilet closet thing. Love that you added the molding! It really finishes it off! Thanks for linking up 🙂
Maria Elena says
Jenna, your bathroom shelves are gorgeous! I would love if you stop by and link this post to this weeks party. Beautiful!
Krista thehappyhousie says
I like how you guys finished these off with the molding Jenna:)
KC Coake says
Love your shelving! I need to borrow this idea to gain a little more storage in my small Master Bath. Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
KC
[email protected] says
You are so smart to put the dead space above your toilet to work. Your shelves are great for storage or for making a pretty display.
Thanks so much for sharing at Throwback Thursday! I’m sharing your project on my FB page tonight!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you for hosting! We love how functional these are!
Kimberly @ Colors Mixed Together says
Simple and added storage. My kind of project. Thanks for linking up to Throwback Thursday!
Kim
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Kim! And thanks for hosting the party!
polly plum says
Love the built-in shelves! I think they’d work for my tiny bathroom. Any idea what the cost was?
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Polly! It was under $25!
Julie Briones says
This tutorial is great… even now! Thanks for sharing on Tuesday Turn About! Happy to ‘meet’ you!
Kristi Dominguez says
This is such a great idea for this space! I love the built-in look!
Alice says
I really need to do this in my bathroom. I have that wasted space as well. Thank you for the tutorial and sharing it with us at #omhgww
Jenny says
The shelves look great. So easy to make. I like open shelves in the bathroom. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.