Skip Boring Metal Stands: There's A Cuter Way To Add Over-The-Toilet Storage

While functional and affordable, over-the-toilet metal storage stands are a little boring to look at. They create space, but they don't really add to it. On top of that, metal over-the-toilet shelves are not very stable either. Especially in a cramped bathroom with tight corners, these top-heavy, thin metal pieces can easily get jostled, tipping over your toiletries or dumping them to the floor. But there's a much cuter way to create extra over-the-toilet storage space with easy DIY wood shelves, which look nicer and work better than rickety and just plain boring metal stands.

YouTuber Hometalk showcases a DIY using wood pieces cut to just the right size for their bathroom. The best part about this DIY over-the-toilet wood storage is how you can incorporate a plastic, rolling bathroom drawer— always an exciting IKEA bathroom find— to make a near-complete storage system, even in a cramped bathroom. For bathrooms without a lot (or any!) counter space, this DIY over-the-toilet wood shelf could be a lifesaver. The rolling drawers are optional, but helpful.

For this over-the-toilet wood shelf, start by measuring the space between your sink (or whatever is nearby) and toilet to find a plastic drawer that will fit snugly between the two. Then, measure from the top of the drawer to find the level of your future wood counter. You want the drawer to be able to slide underneath the wood shelf, while leaving enough clearance between the shelf and the top of the toilet so you can still remove the toilet tank lid when necessary.

After measuring and cutting the wood piece to fit, the Hometalk video shows how to properly prep the wood by sanding, put on a wood stain, and apply a polyurethane coat to protect it from water intrusion. Once the wood is prepped, L brackets put it into place on the nearby wall. The result is a compact, functional, and pretty cute storage solution for a cramped bathroom.

The only problem with the finished product is that the white plastic (why must it always be white plastic?) drawer clashes somewhat with the natural wood of the over-the-toilet shelf, making everything look a little haphazard. Thankfully, you can redeem almost any plastic accessory in your home with a roll of contact paper. Contact paper adheres well to plastic, and comes in a wide range of patterns and styles, so you're sure to find one that blends well with whatever color stain you choose for your wood shelf.

If you want to add more shelves for towels and sundry toiletries, just repeat the process in the first part of Hometalk's video, or keep watching for a charming over-the-toilet storage solution using repurposed wood crates. Utilize the newly-made corner space above your toilet with countertop organizers, like the NÅLBLECKA metal and bamboo corner shelf from IKEA, available for $25. Whatever you choose to do with your new counter space, enjoy the stylish extra room attained without breaking the bank.