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A Quick and Easy DIY Bathroom Shelf over your Toilet

How to install a pretty DIY Bathroom Shelf over your toilet. I love this EASY way to add instant style in a boring, small bathroom.

DIY Bathroom Shelf Over Your Toilet

Shelves are a great way to add storage or style to a small bathroom. Our boring powder room needed something to break up all the shades of white everywhere.

I decided to add some natural wood pieces to give the room more charm and a touch of color. So, I added this quick and easy shelf over our toilet.

I’ll be adding some fun wallpaper above the wainscoting soon too. I’ll share the full powder room reveal with you soon.

This powder room is inside that Laundry Room I just shared the fun Teal Cabinet makeover for. This powder room is the one our guests use. Now, let’s get to this quick and easy DIY Bathroom Shelf over your Toilet!

Image of a plywood shelf with molding on the edge, hanging over a toilet on a white wall. Text says "Easy DIY Shelf Over a Toilet".
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Wood Used for this Shelf

  • 1×6 lumber or plywood – I used Select Pine
  • Cap Molding to add detail to the edge
  • 1×2 lumber or furring strips

Tools and Materials to Make this Shelf

How to Put a Simple Shelf Over a Toilet

Quick Build Note: I used wall supports for this shelf instead of floating shelf hardware. My supports are painted to match the wall and aren’t meant to be seen.

If you use this DIY to build higher shelves with visible supports, I would use Select Pine or Poplar for wood with a nice smooth finish for painting. Select Pine or Cedar would be great big box store options for staining.

AND if you use this DIY to build deeper shelves, be sure to increase the size of the side supports too.

Step One

Decide where your shelf will go and measure the width of the back wall. Be sure to leave plenty of room to work on the toilet tank when adding your shelf. Cut your furring strip or 1×2 to the length of the back wall.

Mine is short because the shelf is so low that the supports are never visible. If you’re shelf is higher, I’d try to make the supports on the back and side walls look like one continual piece.

Step Two

Use your stud finder to mark the studs and spirit level to attach that piece to the wall with the brad nailer.

Build this Quick and Easy DIY Bathroom Shelf over your Toilet for extra storage or a little Modern Farmhouse Style. No Special Hardware Required. #AbbottsAtHome #DIYShelf #EasyDIYProject #ModernFarmhouse
My supports don’t connect since this shelf is too low for them to be visible. I mitered the side pieces back and painted them the wall color to make sure they blended into the wall.

Step Three

Cut 2 – 3 1/2″ long strips for the side supports. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to attach the sides to a stud in the corner.

If not, shoot the nails in at different angles in four to six different spots to hold the support firmly in place.

For larger shelves or shelves that need to hold a lot of weight, you’ll want to use anchors in screws or another secure way to attach those sides when you can’t find a stud.

How to install a pretty DIY Bathroom Shelf over your toilet. I love this EASY way to add instant style in a boring, small bathroom.
Before adding the shelf, this small bathroom seemed really boring. Even after painting the walls white and greige.

Step Four

Once you have all 3 supports attached, measure and cut your 1×6 shelf. Put it in place to make sure it fits before attaching the decorative moulding to the front edge.

I used a pretty easy to find cap molding. You can go with any molding that matches your room’s style. Cut and attach the molding with wood glue and a few brad nails.

Be sure to wipe away excess glue with a damp cloth.

Build this Quick and Easy DIY Bathroom Shelf over your Toilet for extra storage or a little Modern Farmhouse Style. No Special Hardware Required. #AbbottsAtHome #DIYShelf #EasyDIYProject #ModernFarmhouse
I love this natural looking stain color lately. You can see it on the DIY Laundry Table I shared last week too. The back corners on my shelf are mitered to fit around the cove molding on the v-groove plank I installed.

Step Five

Once the glue dries, fill any holes or cracks with wood filler. Once that dries, you can sand the shelf with 120 or 150-grit paper before applying your finish.

Image of a simple DIY wood shelf over a toilet in a small bathroom.
I added some sweet ceramic birds and some birdhouses my boys made. You can see how they did it in this Easy DIY Kids Birdhouse Art for Toddlers post.

I used Watco’s Danish Oil in Medium Walnut. It’s a really quick drying, easy to apply finish for wood. It’s kinda my favorite finish lately. 🙂

Build a Simple Bathroom Shelf without special hardware. With photos and easy to Follow DIY Steps. #AbbottsAtHome #DIYShelf #DIYIdeas
Here’s how that low shelf over the toilet looks now. Check out the whole Powder Room Makeover here.

That’s it, that’s how easy it is to build this low bathroom shelf over your toilet. What do you think? Let me know if you have any questions! I’m always happy to help. 🙂

BE SURE to check out my Before and After Master Bathroom Remodel for more bathroom decorating ideas.

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And, this Easy DIY Chevron Wood Wall Art Tutorial is perfect for beginner woodworkers.

Image of handmade Chevron wood wall art made with Cedar.

Or, this fun DIY Light Clip display board. Works great with photos, notes, school papers, and kid’s artwork!

Quick and Easy DIY Light Clip Display Board. Fun way to display kid's art, photos, notes, and more. Display & Notes area to organize kids, teens, college dorms, and an office.
So many ways to use this display board!

Here’s a super easy DIY Wood Slice Coat Hook Project that anyone can do.

I LOVE this Easy DIY Wood Slice Coat Hook project. It's a beautiful way to hang your coats, bags, or fun kitchen aprons in your home. Easy Home Decor Project idea..

This post on How to Patina Paint Faux Metal Finishes is always popular with readers.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe

Feeling inspired? Now that you know how to build this easy DIY Bathroom Shelf over your Toilet, get to it! Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

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French Ethereal

Wednesday 11th of July 2018

Seems we always need a little more shelf space in our bathrooms! Great idea and simple to create. Shared on my Ethereal Bathrooms board on Pinterest for you. <3

Have a great rest of your week, Barb :)

Stephanie

Saturday 14th of July 2018

Thanks so much for sharing. So glad you liked it!

April J Harris

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

What a great idea for a quick bathroom refresh! Scheduled to share on the H&S Link Party FB page and Twitter. Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party, Stephanie!

Stephanie

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

Thanks so much, April!!

Nancy Andres

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

Hi Stephanie, Cute, easy, and practical. What could be better? Visiting you at Make it Pretty Monday where I shared Vegan Coleslaw Quick Healthy Tasty. Enjoy!

Stephanie

Tuesday 10th of July 2018

So glad you liked it, Nancy! Thanks for stopping by. :)

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