Bathroom Storage- Maximizing Small Spaces

As I work on my current home, I always have my future lake cottage in the back of my mind. I am sure it will be a small home, and I will be so blessed to have even the tiniest home on a beautiful body of water, but it will be imperative that we find ways to maximize our small space. One of the places in our current home {and I am sure my future lake home} that needs the most space saving is in the bathroom. There are many ways to create storage like baskets...

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Wall shelves...

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Towel ladders...

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Magnetic organization...

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Or even turning a dresser with drawers into a vanity...

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For me shelving was a quick and easy way to create more storage in our guest bathroom. Like most guest baths there is not a ton of wall space so I thought this would be the perfect place for some over the door shelving. I am going to take through a fast tutorial on how to install some over the door shelving with just a few things.

The first step to this project is to measure the area where you are installing the shelf. I installed my shelf over the door in our guest bathroom. It fit perfectly using a three foot piece so I went to Home Depot and had them cut a piece of pine wood (7 1/4 inches) and found these corbels.

Next sand and paint the wood. Use a low grit sandpaper and if you do not like knots or wood imperfections use wood filler to hide the flaws, let dry and sand again. I liked the rustic look so I let the knots show. Also, this is where you would install trim pieces {you can have Home Depot measure those as well} if you want a more finished look. I did not use trim, because of that rustic look I was going for and all.

For the next step you will need to mount the brackets into the wall.

Mount the shelf on top of the doorway trim and mounted brackets. Countersink 2 1- 1/2 inch screws through the shelf and into the brackets {you may need different length screws depnding on the brackets you choose- make sure you place them correctly so they do not pop through the decorative part of the bracket}. Then countersink 3 more 1- 1/2 inch screws evenly through the shelf into the doorway casing.

For the final step caulk the seams and use paint to touch up any holes and/or damage done during the install process.

Actually, I take that back... the final step is the adding of cute decor and bathroom-y stuff and basking in the glow of extra storage!!

I originally created this post for my bloggy buddy Sarah at Adventures of Our Fami-ly. She created a fun and weekly trade school that features fun and creative tips, so be sure to check it out and give her some love over at her blog.

Oh and don't forget to vote on what I should do the with the nautical themed desk for the twins' room!

Linked to:
Between Naps on the Porch
Classy Clutter
Days of Chalk and Chocolate
Domestically Speaking
Homemaker on a Dime
Funky Junk Interiors
Its Overflowing
Liz Marie Blog
My Romantic Home
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Organize and Decorate Everything
Primitive and Proper
Simple Home Life
Tatertots and Jello
The Farmhouse Porch

The Shabby Nest
You're Talking Too Much