Here’s How to Make Open Shelving for a Kid’s Bathroom

Open shelving is ideal for a kid’s bathroom. It allows kids access to towels and all of the necessary bath supplies (and toys!), and therefore independence at bath and bedtime too. Facing the shelves with tile creates a seamless look with the rest of the bathroom design, plus it’s low-maintenance. Add a few baskets and buckets, and the kids can help keep things neat and tidy

Steps

1. Determine the placement of your shelving unit within your bathroom. If your bathroom is drywalled, cut out the section of the drywall between two studs making sure there is no existing plumbing or electrical in the way

2. Measure the cavity and then measure and cut plywood. You will need a top and bottom for your shelving unit, plus back and sides. The front of your unit will be open.

3. Measure and mark the position for your shelves. Measure and cut additional plywood into pieces to create slim boxes – these will be your shelves. Note: We made our shelves the depth of one tile. Doing this means you’ll need to cut less tile!

4. Position a shelf box at the bottom of the unit. Now measure and mark the position of the remaining shelves within the larger box and secure each in place with screws at sides and back.

5. With all shelves screwed in place, tuck the entire shelving unit into the wall cavity and secure in place with screws.

6. Paint all of the non-tile interior surfaces of your shelving unit (in all cavities). Let dry.

7. Attach tiles to the face and top of each shelf using tile adhesive. Tip: To create a polished final look and to ensure there are no sharp edges on your finished shelf, add a piece of round-edge tile trim on top of front-facing tiled shelves.

8. Grout the entire top and front of each shelf. Let dry.

9. For a clean finished look, measure and cut lengths of 2 1/2" trim to form a frame for the front of your shelving unit. Secure trim to the face of your open shelving unit using finishing nails.

10. Paint trim and touch up any interior spots and let dry.

11. Outfit your completed shelves with lots of towels, accessories and bath toys!

Total time: One weekend – 2 days