Hey there, fellow DIY enthusiasts! I’m Robert Kline, and today we’re tackling a project that’s perfect for those tight bathroom spaces: a simple, stylish, and incredibly useful over-toilet storage cabinet.
SW Stardew painted bathroom wall cabinet with double doors and crown molding
This charming cabinet, finished in SW Stardew, adds a touch of elegance while maximizing storage space.
This project was inspired by my own quest to maximize storage in my parents’ powder room – a space where every square inch counts! This wall-mounted cabinet, nestled perfectly above the toilet, provided the perfect solution for stashing away toiletries, towels, and other bathroom essentials.
Before You Start: Planning Your Bathroom Wall Cabinet
One of the best things about this DIY bathroom cabinet is its versatility. You can easily adapt the size, shape, and style to fit your bathroom décor and storage needs. Want to experiment with different types of molding or go for a sleek, doorless look? Go for it! This project is all about unleashing your inner maker.
Cabinet Dimensions
While you can customize the size, here are the dimensions of the cabinet I built for reference:
- Overall: Approximately 34″ wide x 16″ deep x 32″ tall
- Cabinet Box: 14″ deep x 30″ tall x 30″ wide
Remember, the crown molding adds extra width and depth, so the final dimensions will vary slightly depending on your chosen molding.
Choosing Your Wood
For this project, I opted for a combination of ¾” hardwood plywood (maple) for the cabinet box and pre-primed pine for the door frames and crown molding.
Pro Tip: If you’re not painting your cabinet, choose clear, unfinished lumber for the door frames and trim so you can apply a stain or clear coat.
Gathering Your Tools and Materials
Before we dive into the building process, let’s make sure you have everything you need:
Tools:
- Circular Saw
- Cutting Guides (Kreg Rip Cut & Kreg AccuCut are optional but helpful)
- Miter Saw
- Drill/Driver
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Brad Nailer
- Shelf Pin Jig
- Concealed Hinge Jig
Materials:
- (1) 4’x8′ sheet ¾” plywood
- (1) 2’x4′ piece ¼” plywood
- (2) 1″x3″ pine boards (for the door frames)
- (1) 8′ stick crown molding (optional)
- 1 ¼” pocket hole screws
- 1 ¼” & 2 ½” wood screws
- Shelf Pins
- Edge Banding
- (2) pairs of concealed hinges for frameless overlay doors
- Wood Finish of your choosing
Building Your Bathroom Wall Cabinet: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now for the fun part – let’s get building!
Step 1: Cut Your Plywood Pieces
Start by cutting all the plywood pieces for the cabinet box and shelves. Having a cut diagram (like the one in my free printable plans!) will make this process much smoother.
Here are the plywood pieces you’ll need:
- (2) side panels
- (2) smaller top/bottom cabinet box pieces
- (2) larger top/bottom panels
- (2) back support strips
- (2) shelves
Pro Tip: Applying edge banding to the front-facing edges of the plywood pieces before assembly will give your cabinet a more polished look.
Step 2: Assemble the Cabinet Box
- Using a pocket hole jig, drill ¾” pocket holes into the ends of the support strips and the smaller top/bottom pieces.
- Assemble the main cabinet box using 1 ¼” pocket hole screws, making sure to position the pocket holes towards the outside and back of the cabinet.
- Secure the larger top/bottom panels onto the cabinet box using wood glue and 1 ¼” screws. These panels should overhang the sides by ¾” and the front by 1 ½”.
- Once the glue is dry, fill the screw holes and sand them smooth.
- For an extra touch of elegance, I added crown molding around the top of the cabinet. You can choose a different molding style or skip this step altogether.
Step 3: Building Your Cabinet Doors
With the cabinet box assembled, it’s time to craft those doors. I opted for overlay doors, which means they sit on top of the cabinet box frame.
Not sure how to build cabinet doors? Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered with a comprehensive guide that explores seven different methods. You’re sure to find one that matches your skill level and tools.
Step 4: Applying the Finish
Before attaching the doors, it’s time to give your cabinet a beautiful finish. I painted mine with SW Stardew, a calming hue that complements my bathroom’s color scheme.
Whether you choose paint, stain, or a clear coat, remember to finish the cabinet and doors separately for the best results.
Step 5: Adding Shelves and Attaching Doors
- Using a shelf pin jig, drill holes along the inside of the cabinet sides. These holes will allow you to adjust the shelf height as needed.
- Now you can either hang the cabinet on the wall and then install the shelves and doors, or install the doors first and then hang the cabinet. The choice is yours!
- I used concealed hinges for my frameless overlay doors. These hinges provide a sleek, modern look.
- Once the hinges are installed, attach the doors to the cabinet.
Step 6: Mounting Your Cabinet
Your bathroom wall cabinet is almost ready for its grand debut! Use 2 ½” wood screws to securely attach the cabinet to the wall studs through the back supports.
Important Tip: Make sure you hit at least two wall studs and secure both the top and bottom supports with screws (four screws total) for maximum stability.
Once the cabinet is mounted, make any necessary door adjustments to ensure they align correctly. Then, insert the shelf pins and position your shelves.
Congratulations – Your DIY Bathroom Storage Solution is Complete!
And there you have it – a beautiful and functional over-toilet storage cabinet that will transform your bathroom. This project is a testament to the power of DIY – it’s amazing what you can achieve with a few tools, some creativity, and a free afternoon!
Looking for more creative storage solutions and DIY projects for your home? Explore more inspiring ideas on Robert Kline Art. And be sure to share your creations with me – I can’t wait to see what you build!