Welcome to the inaugural phase of our much-anticipated hall bathroom transformation! We’ve been eagerly planning this multi-stage renovation, and today, we’re pulling back the curtain on a long-standing secret we’ve been keeping tucked away in this essential space. For far too long, a sizable, empty frame above our toilet wasn’t merely a quirky design choice; it was a clever disguise, a strategic cover-up for a less-than-picturesque problem. Join us as we unveil the first step in turning this functional but flawed room into a truly spectacular and cohesive retreat.
To fully grasp the magnitude of this particular “skeleton in the closet” – or rather, perched precariously atop the toilet – we need to rewind a bit. Cast your minds back to a post from about twenty months ago, affectionately titled “Sometimes I Go Crazy.” It chronicled a moment of inspired impulsiveness when Sherry, in a burst of DIY energy, decided to eliminate one of several superfluous towel bars that were scattered throughout our hall bathroom. These fixtures were not only off-center but also represented an aesthetic overkill that desperately needed addressing. It was a bold move, a commitment to decluttering and simplifying, even if it meant a temporary bit of chaos.
Thankfully, that initial removal had a relatively straightforward resolution. We managed to artfully conceal the resulting tile damage with some carefully chosen new trim, transforming what could have been a permanent eyesore into a success story. It was a small victory, a testament to the fact that not every DIY misstep needs to lead to a complete overhaul. However, the bathroom had another, more stubborn secret lurking just above the toilet, patiently waiting for its turn in the spotlight of renovation.
Not all DIY endeavors yield such immediate and clean results. Sherry’s subsequent attempt to remove a rather peculiar, built-in soap dish directly above the toilet proved to be a far more challenging ordeal. This fixture left behind a jagged, craggy mess of broken tile – an undeniable eyesore that we, for nearly two years, simply learned to live with. Our typical DIY approach of “oh, we’ll just Dremel out a tile or two and replace them someday” (a strategy that worked beautifully in another project) felt daunting here. The thought of meticulously replacing those tiny, damaged tiles filled us with dread, leading to procrastination and, ultimately, a prolonged period of staring at this unsightly imperfection every single day.
But as is often the case in the world of home renovation, necessity breeds invention. We eventually conceived a far superior plan – one that would not only resolve the unsightly tile damage but also introduce a highly functional and decorative element to the bathroom. Our brilliant idea? A stylish, chunky floating shelf. This shelf would serve as a perfect resting place for art, small plants, cute toiletries, and other decorative accents, effectively transforming a problematic spot into a purposeful display area. It was the ideal fusion of form, function, and a clever way to entirely obscure that lumpy, cracked tile mess. This solution promised to be not just a fix, but a significant upgrade, adding much-needed storage and visual appeal to our small hall bathroom.
A small note on our journey: unfortunately, a few of the initial photos from this project mysteriously vanished into the digital ether. We apologize for this minor blogging mishap – a class 1 misdemeanor, we know! Please bear with us as we do our best to logically walk you through the early stages of this transformation, despite the missing visual evidence. Rest assured, we’ve learned our lesson and are now meticulously backing up everything!
Proceeding with our brilliant floating shelf concept, the initial step involved creating a bit more “damage” in order to facilitate a lasting solution. This time, the damage came in the form of carefully drilled pilot holes. These strategic openings were crucial for securely mounting the hidden support system for our homemade shelf, ensuring it would be robust and stable enough to hold its decorative contents without any wobbling or concern. Preparing the wall correctly is fundamental for any successful floating shelf installation, especially when dealing with existing tile that needs to be drilled through precisely.
Our inspiration for the chunky, shallow floating shelf came from a tried-and-true method, similar to the ingenious plans Ana White previously shared on our blog for recreating the floating shelves in our old dining room. This design involves constructing a “sleeve” – a discreet support frame that is firmly anchored to the wall. The actual shelf, essentially a decorative box, then slides snugly over this sleeve, creating the illusion that it’s gracefully floating on the wall without visible supports. Given that our bathroom shelf wouldn’t be tasked with holding a significant amount of weight (mostly art, lightweight toiletries, and small decor items), I was able to scale down the complexity and robustness compared to Ana’s original, heavy-duty plans. This allowed for a quicker, simpler build while still achieving the desired aesthetic and stability, making it a perfect DIY floating shelf solution for a small bathroom space.
Behold the shelf itself, a testament to simple yet effective DIY craftsmanship. It was constructed using some readily available craft pine from Home Depot, a budget-friendly choice that totaled a mere eight dollars for all the wood. The thin top piece even came from leftover materials from Clara’s dollhouse project – a satisfying example of using up scraps! For assembly, I relied on our trusty Kreg Jig, an invaluable tool for creating strong, concealed pocket-hole joints, which are perfect for a clean, professional finish. The “sleeve” component, comprising a flat plank with projecting wood pieces, was drilled directly into the tile using a masonry bit and secured firmly to the wall. The outer box, which forms the visible part of the shelf, was then assembled using the same Kreg Jig technique. In terms of dimensions, this floating bathroom shelf measures 6 inches tall, 21 inches long, and 3 inches deep – perfectly proportioned to sit above the toilet without overwhelming the space. This strategic size allows it to serve as ideal above-toilet storage and a decorative focal point.
A deliberate design choice for this particular floating shelf was to omit a bottom panel. This decision was purely practical and aesthetic; the underside of the shelf would never be visible in its intended location. Unless, of course, one found themselves in the rather uncomfortable and unlikely position of being inside the toilet tank – and in that scenario, seeing the unfinished bottom of our shelf would likely be the least of one’s concerns! This minor adjustment not only saved a bit of material but also simplified the construction process without compromising the shelf’s integrity or visual appeal. When it comes to DIY projects, sometimes the cleverest solutions are found in simplifying elements that won’t be seen or truly affect the functionality.
And here is the magic moment! You can clearly see how the finished shelf box seamlessly fits over its “sleeve” support, achieving that coveted floating appearance. More importantly, it completely and beautifully covers up that unsightly, busted-up tile damage that had plagued our bathroom for so long. The transformation is remarkable! Adding a vibrant splash of color and personality, the $30 fish print that Sherry cleverly snagged from Joss & Main now has a perfect spot to rest. Affectionately named “Bubbles,” this charming artwork provides an immediate focal point. The shelf is positioned at a fantastic height, aligning beautifully with the existing mirror, creating a balanced and visually pleasing vignette. It truly feels as if Bubbles was destined for this very spot, completing the look and making the once-problematic area a highlight of our hall bathroom.
With the shelf constructed and securely in place, the next crucial decision involved its finish: to paint or to stain? And if painting, what color would best complement our future bathroom vision? Still undecided on the final wall color, we wanted a finish that was subtle but impactful, something that wouldn’t commit us too early. We envisioned a bright window shade and other colorful accessories (like our fish art!), so going too bold on the shelf felt risky. Sherry, ever the creative problem-solver, concocted a brilliant whitewashing technique. She began by dampening the entire piece of wood with water, which helps the paint glide on smoothly and absorb more evenly. Then, using a paper towel, she carefully wiped a light gray paint (specifically, Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood, a test pot leftover from a previous project) over the wood. She meticulously smeared and blended the paint until she achieved her desired lightness and a consistent tone, avoiding any blotchy or uneven patches. This process allowed us to introduce a sophisticated hue while still letting the natural wood grain peek through, adding texture and character to our floating bathroom shelf.
The result of Sherry’s careful whitewashing technique was precisely what we had hoped for. We loved that the wood grain texture was still subtly visible, adding depth and organic warmth to the piece. Crucially, the whitewash effectively neutralized the original orange undertones of the pine. Those warm, yellow-orange hues simply looked out of place in our black and white-themed bathroom; we certainly didn’t want to inadvertently create a Halloween-esque color scheme! The soft gray provided by Benjamin Moore’s Collingwood beautifully complemented the existing elements, offering a fresh, modern, and understated finish that effortlessly blends into the space while still making a statement. This subtle transformation proves how a simple paint treatment can dramatically alter the perception of a piece, aligning it perfectly with the desired aesthetic of a bathroom renovation.
So, here it is: our newly whitewashed floating shelf, proudly back in its place, with the vibrant fish painting continuing to act as the primary burst of color in the room. But this is just the beginning of our hall bathroom’s journey! We have ambitious plans to infuse this space with far more personality. Expect a bold, captivating color on the walls, a dramatically patterned fabric for the window shade, new framing around the window, and updated, bright hardware for the vanity. As Sherry often says, “we got plans, yo!” This shelf installation marks merely the first of many steps in a comprehensive dozen-phase renovation. While the room might still appear a bit understated at this moment, we are confident that each subsequent upgrade will build upon the last, revealing a cohesive, stylish, and highly functional bathroom that will truly make sense as the vision unfolds. Stay tuned for more exciting developments!
We are absolutely thrilled with this little homemade floating shelf. It represents a far superior and more practical solution for our hall bathroom compared to the outdated soap dish it replaced. In today’s world, toothbrushes are often too large to fit into those old, shallow ceramic niches anyway, rendering them largely obsolete. This shelf, however, offers genuine functionality, providing a designated spot for art, decorative items, and perhaps even smaller, modern toiletries. Beyond its utility, completing this project has given us the much-needed momentum and confidence to tackle the next phase: finally putting some paint on those walls! (Spoiler alert: the painting has already begun, and we can’t wait to share the progress.)
I also promise to be much more diligent about tracking and saving all our project photos going forward. If those elusive early shelf photos ever resurface, I’ll be sure to add them to this post retroactively! Until then, it’s just a charming fish on a chic, whitewashed shelf, cleverly concealing some old, broken tile – just another perfectly normal day in the ongoing saga of our home renovation adventures. This project underscores how a seemingly small update can make a huge difference in both aesthetics and practicality, especially in a high-traffic area like a hall bathroom. It’s about finding smart solutions that blend seamlessly into the bigger picture of your home’s design.
What creative cover-ups or small, impactful projects did you tackle in your homes recently? We’d love to hear about your weekend DIY adventures!
Psst – On a more somber note, having spent the last few days in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey, we witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of Hurricane Sandy. The situation up there is truly dire. Sherry’s grandmother is still without heat or power, gas supplies are incredibly scarce, and communities along the coast were hit with unimaginable force – her brother’s first-floor apartment in Jersey City, for instance, was completely flooded. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. We’re sending immense love and support to all, and we will certainly be sharing a more comprehensive tour update about the recovery efforts and the resilience of these communities at the end of this week.