In a small bathroom storage can be limited and finding an attractive, space-saving solution is often a challenge. To save floor space, this project goes vertical: a modern DIY wall-mounted bathroom organizer made from scrap plywood that includes a mirror and a small shelf.
Bonus: it’s attractive rather than clunky. Move over ugly bathroom storage—this streamlined organizer fits nicely in compact bathrooms and complements modern decor.
Materials for DIY Bathroom Organizer
- Scrap wood for the backboard (example used: 21.5 x 12 inches plywood)
- Simple wood tray to serve as a shelf (example used: 10 x 5 inches) or additional scrap wood to build a tray
- Circular mirror (example used: 9-inch diameter)
- Leather strips, 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide
- Heavy-duty glue (super glue, construction adhesive, or Gorilla Glue)
- Screws suitable for wood
- Power drill and bits
- Ruler or tape measure
- Pencil for marking
- Sturdy but bendable wire (for hanging)
- Optional: table clamp for safer drilling
- Optional: gold leaf paint and brush for screw heads or small accents
How to Make the Bathroom Organizer
1. Plan the layout: decide where the tray (shelf) and mirror will sit on the backboard, and lightly mark those positions with a pencil.
2. Prepare the hanging hardware: flip the backboard to the reverse side and find the midpoint of its width. Mark two points 2–3 inches apart and positioned about 3–4 inches from the top edge. Drive screws into those marks, then wrap your sturdy wire around both screws repeatedly to form a secure hanging loop for the finished piece.
3. Attach the tray/shelf: measure and mark 2–3 evenly spaced fastening points along the back lip of the tray (the part that will sit against the backboard). If you’re using a prefabricated tray, mark the tray’s back lip; if you’re building the shelf from scrap wood, create a rear lip on the shelf first so it can mount flush to the backboard. Another option is to use small brackets under a simple shelf piece to attach it to the backboard for added strength.
4. Drill pilot holes at each mark to make driving the screws easier and reduce the risk of splitting the wood. Clamping the pieces in place while drilling helps keep everything steady and safe.
5. Secure the shelf: align the shelf with the marks you made on the front of the backboard and drive the screws through the pilot holes so the shelf is firmly attached to the backboard.
6. Glue the mirror to the backboard using heavy-duty adhesive, aligning it carefully with your original layout marks. Press and hold or clamp briefly if recommended by the adhesive’s instructions.
7. Add leather loops underneath the shelf for hanging small items. Cut leather strips and fasten them with screws just like you would when making leather cabinet pulls—except fold the leather through the screw holes to form loops rather than pulls. Choose loop lengths that suit your needs; longer loops can be more practical for some uses.
8. Optional toothbrush holder: attach a short leather strip (about 2 inches) above the shelf near the mirror using a screw at each end to create a small loop ideal for holding a toothbrush or slim item.
9. Finish details: if you like the look of gleaming accents, paint the exposed screw heads with gold leaf paint in a well-ventilated area and allow them to dry fully before hanging.
Safety and load note: Test the shelf’s sturdiness before loading it with heavy items. For a handful of daily essentials—perfume, a small plant, hand soap—it should be fine. Don’t overload it unless you’re confident with the construction and number of fasteners used.
Not fond of raw wood? Paint all pieces before assembly to create a custom color scheme that fits your bathroom’s palette. Painting before you build will give cleaner edges and a fully finished look.
Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
Do you have a tiny bathroom that needs smart storage? Would this DIY organizer work in your space? Share your thoughts or variations you’d try.