bathroom

How to make Storage Shelves


I am a firm believer in taking advantage of vertical space for storage. I decided I wanted to add shelves to our small bathroom above the toilet, because no one has ever said "I have too much storage". Am I right? Lol. The bathroom layout made this space the perfect area to add shelves without it looking bulky. Adding shelves to a bare wall can open up storage possibilities in a space that doesn’t allow for multiple storage units on the floor.

Of course, I could’ve gone and bought one of those shelf stands that are made to fit over the toilet, but I wanted a clean look. And for the cost of one of those units (a good quality one) I didn’t want the hassle of having to replace it in a year due to rust from the bathroom humidity. There was also the option of purchasing shelving from the hardware store, but for the look I wanted, the selections available were priced at about $20 per shelf. My diy shelves only cost around $35 total!



I started with a 2x8 piece of wood that was in my basement. This was also left over from renovations. It was the perfect sized depth for my wall space.

Step 1:

used a circular saw to cut the shelves to size.


-my shelves measure 22 ¼ inches long


Step 2:

sanded the wood, first with a 60 grit (course) and then with 150 grit (fine) sandpaper


-Yes, I sanded these by hand…I don’t have an electric sander. Not yet, anyway!


Step 3:

stained the shelves on each side and all edges


-I used Minwax penetrating stain in Ebony. It is a very dark stain, almost black to match the vanity cabinet.


Step 4:

sealed the stain with polycrylic in a satin finish


-I used the sealant on all surfaces as well. I did 2 coats, sanding in between each coat.


Step 5:

attached the shelves to the wall using shelf brackets, using drywall anchors in the wall.


- I did not have a second person around to hold the shelf while I attached it to the wall. So, I attached the brackets to the shelf first, then held it up to the wall to level and measure for the wall screws.


The last step was the most tedious because I was doing this on my own. I would recommend having a second person to help when attaching the shelves to the wall.

And here is the finished product!


I love that these diy shelves are custom fit to my space! If you're in the mood for a weekend project, this is a good one to tackle. And if you don't have wood laying around the house you can easily get a long wood board in any size you want at the hardware store. Some stores will even cut it for you!

Let me know what you think and if you would do this on your own. What would you have done differently? Thanks, and God bless!

Living Simply,

Mindy✿

Small Bathroom Organizing


I know I’m not the only one in the world with a small bathroom. But, you know what comes with a small bathroom? A small vanity! Which means a small space for storage. But, don’t be discouraged, you can make the most of the space you have by getting creative with organization.

As part of our recent home renovation, we had our first-floor half bath upgraded to a full (by adding a shower). Now, that doesn’t mean we gained more space for a larger vanity. But, it’s still an upgrade nonetheless. And not having to share a bathroom with the kids makes it all worth it. So, today I’m sharing how I set up the vanity to maximize storage and keeps things neat and organized.




Since I started with a blank slate, this project was easier to tackle.

I started with the drawers, and simply added bins from the Dollar Tree.

-This is the top drawer with the daily essentials…


-The middle drawer holds hair accessories and combs/brushes.

-And lastly, the lesser used items and unmentionables.


Next, I took advantage of the vertical space under the sink by using stackable bins I had initially gotten to use in the pantry. They were 2.99 for the pack of 3.


-I’m storing all my hair creams, conditioners, etc. in the bins. If you’re a curly haired person you know these are essential!



I also added acrylic organizers to store my nail polish, after realizing I wasn’t putting them to use when I had them stored in a covered container.




To finish it off, I added this magazine holder (which was collecting dust in the basement) to the door because I just love this life hack!


-It's attached to the door with the wired command hooks.


I hope you’re able to use to some of these ideas in your own space!  This cost around $13 including the command hooks. I'd love to know if you would do anything differently. Thanks, and God bless!
Living Simply
Mindy✿