So you’re finally purposing that real estate above your toilet to good use. It’s great for storing everyday bathroom items such as toiletries and skin care products, and it’s also perfect for holding décor items as well, and for either route, there are plenty of options to choose from.
In this article, we will walk you through the entire process of installing wooden shelvings above your toilet wall.
We’ll start by first highlighting the entire pool of choices you have when it comes to selecting toilet shelves, then show you how to properly select between them as well as how high to hang them above toilet for optimal safety and functionality. Then we’ll finish off with the DIY.
The Different Types Of Shelves You Can Hang On A Toilet
When it comes to the choices you have with regards to above the toilet storage, there are plenty of them.
Here are 7 different shelves you can hang on your toilet wall.
Floating Shelves
One of the most popular type of shelving for above the toilet storage or décor is the floating shelf.
It can be made using wood and supported using metal brackets, industrial pipes or even wood, or shaped out of light metal or glass. Newer designs even feature a rack that allows the shelves to be adjustable so you can accommodate taller items.
Depending on who you ask, floating shelves might be only great for décor or storage. For me personally, I prefer having them as décor shelves, especially above the toilet due to their open nature which means items have a higher risk of toppling and breaking, especially if the shelf is position at a higher distance.
If they are supported with guard rails however, it’s a different story.
Floating shelves work great for all types of toilet and you just have to make sure to choose the right design and thickness for your type of bathroom.
Cabinet Shelves
The primary purpose for installing cabinet shelves above toilet is storage, at least for most people I’ve seen, then the choice of hardware or finishing can be made with décor in mind.
Cabinet shelves are great for people who have a lot of products to store in the bathroom. And because they’re closed, items wont collect dust easily or be likely to topple and break from small impact to the wall.
In as much cabinet shelves offer great storage space, they’re not suitable for all types of toilets, especially the small, narrow ones.
They can make them look bulky and heavy if the design choice clashes with that of the toilet, and the size is disproportionate as well.
Wire shelves
Wire shelves can be considered a form of floating shelf, except that they have guard rails to hold items in place and are usually made from metal.
Wire shelves can be installed in twos and threes like normal floating shelves, and they almost always fit every kind of toilet.
Ladder Shelves
Ladder shelves are great décor options for toilets also, and with the décor comes storage too.
You can install short ladder shelves with floatings on them above the toilet wall to hold decorative items or even serve as a functional and practical storage space.
Like then cabinet shelf, due to it’s form factor, it may not fit perfectly with all types of toilets, especially the small kinds. It can easily accommodate overwhelm space, or make it look odd.
Recessed Shelves
This one requires a recess to be made in the space above the toilet, and then floating shelves, or any other type of shelf be installed in there.
It can be time consuming to install, and be more expensive relative to other types of shelving, but if done right, especially with great lightening and painting, can transform any type of toilet.
Baskets or Bags
In place of floating shelves, you can opt for mini baskets or storage bags to hold your toiletries or skin care products on the wall. Fix them to using appropriate screws or hooks and you’re done.
Choosing The Right Shelves
As we have mentioned above, there is a large pool of storage options for above the toilet, and many varieties within these options as well. So how do you know which is best for your toilet?
Well it’s simple, carefully consider the following factors.
- Style of your toilet: is it modern, traditional or industrial themed?
- The available space you have: is it a small bathroom with low ceiling or a large one with so much space to work with?
- The intended function of the shelve: is it décor or functional storage?
- The type of material and durability: Would the chosen material be able to endure ruggedness tests from children.
- How complex it is to install: are you a DIY expert or would it require the help of a professional?
- Your budget: would it cost an arm and a leg?
- And how convenient it is: how reachable is it, and what are the chances of dropping a bottle when you try to reach one on the shelf?
When you are able to answer all the questions above, you should be able to come up with a good choice of shelving.
Because everyone’s toilet is different (and so also choices), what you end up with at the end of the day might differ largely from a what another person in a similar situation comes up with.
How High To Hang Shelves Above Toilet
The goal with hanging storage shelves is to place them in an easy to reach or accessible position, at least for the most active users of the toilet. Not too high, and certain not too low as they can make the toilet look odd.
A rule of thumb for floating shelves is at least 15 inches from the toilet tank, or between 35 to 37 inches from the toilet seat.
How Deep Should An Over The Toilet Cabinet Be?
The depth of floating shelves should be decided by the intended functionality of the shelf. Real storage? Opt for between 5 to 15 inches. Go lower with shelves meant to hold candles or small decorative plants.
For cabinets, you can go slightly higher (max 17 inches) but be very careful to not make the toilet look bulky.
The Steps To Hang Shelves Above Toilet (Wooden Shelves)
How To Hang Shelves Above Toilet
Here are 7 quick steps to help you hang those wooden shelves above toilet.
Materials
- 2" Thick Wood
- 3/8" Wood Dowel
- Shelf Bracket
Tools
- Tape Measure
- Pencil
- Blue Tape
- Level
- Drill
- Stud Finder
- Kreg JIG
- 3 1/8 inch long GRK multipurpose wood Screws
- Hammer
- Wall plugs
Instructions
- Measure how high up you want the shelves mounted on the wall using the tape measure and pencil.
- Inspect the wall for studs using the stud finder and mark where they are using the pencil or a blue tape. If no stud is found, you’re going to have to use wall plugs for extra support. Choose the perfect one for your type of wall.
- Hold the shelf up on the wall and mark the center of the stud on the corresponding position on the shelf.
- Set the Kreg Jig at 1½ inches and line up the drilling hole of the Kreg Jig with the line you just made on the shelve.
- Drill the hole, but don’t drill all the way through so the wood doesn’t end up cracking. Do the same for the rest of the marks.
- Position the shelf up on the wall and screw in the farthest hole from any end. Then place the level on the shelf and screw in the others, making sure everything is all leveled up.
Cover the holes made by the Kreg Jig using the wood dowel by twisting and sliding it into the home. Cut the unscrewed portion using a saw and sand the area for uniformity.
For Shelves with Brackets
- Measure how high up you want the shelves installed.
- Locate the studs and mark them.
- Line the bracket up on the wall and mark the screw holes.
- Remove the bracket and drill pilot holes on the marked spots.
- Install wall plugs (for hoes that don’t have studs) and gently drive them in with a hammer.
- Secure the brackets using the corresponding anchor screws.
- Install the shelf and secure it in place from underneath using the screws holes and screws provided.
Notes
For staggered shelves it’s pretty much the same instructions.
If you can’t locate at least one stud area to mount your shelf, you should install a wall anchor like the “screw and anchor” a hand screwdriver to prevent over-tightening which could reduce the holding power by half.
Drill the holes in the wall first then slide in the plugs before placing the shelf over the holes and securing with the screws.