DIY A Stunning Bathroom Shelf And Towel Rack With Dollar Tree Cutting Boards

Bathrooms are one of the places that may make it seem impossible to escape clutter. Without the right tools and organization supplies like bins and baskets, everything ends up in the cabinet under the sink. However, incorporating open shelving in the bathroom can maximize storage and create a neater-looking space. Some shelves also give you additional space to display necessities beneath, like a bar for a hand towel. And instead of shelling out money for a shelf-towel rack combination, you can easily DIY a shelf and towel rack with a couple of items from your local Dollar Tree.

You'll need two bamboo cutting boards and two metal hanging plant brackets from Dollar Tree, which currently cost $1.25 each. In addition, gather a couple of small craft wood planks from Michaels, a dowel from Home Depot, E6000 glue, a hand saw, a drill, and screws. You may also want a hot glue gun on hand if you want extra security. 

You can hang this DIY solution above your toilet, beside the mirror, or on any vacant wall where guests can easily access the hand towel. Once you gather your materials, it's time to create your shelf.

Grab your materials and set them up at your work or crafts table. Remove the plastic wrap from the cutting boards and lay them next to each other. Then, lay two pieces of the craft wood across the cutting boards so they're connected, as shown in the TikTok video. If the wood hangs too far off the cutting boards, cut it so there's an inch between the wood and the edge of the board. Next, glue the craft wood pieces to the cutting boards with E6000 glue and a little hot glue for extra strength if you so desire. Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.

Next, glue the plant brackets perpendicular to the craft wood. Allow the glue to dry again. Then, insert the dowel between the hooks. Cut off any extra wood projecting from the sides of the cutting boards. You can also glue the dowel to the hooks to prevent guests from removing it, but it's completely optional and depends on whether you use cloth or paper towels (you may want a removable dowel to replace a roll of paper towels). Finally, hang the shelf on the wall, using a level to keep it even and screws to secure it. Decorate your shelf with a plant, candle, or bathroom décor.

Creating a shelf with a towel rack is great for a small bathroom, as it's a smart way to add extra storage. However, avoid piling heavy items on top of the shelf. E6000 glue is durable and a permanent bonding solution, but if you don't allow it to set for 24 hours, it could lead to shelf collapse. Other glues, like hot glue, can help secure the shelf components but shouldn't be used on their own.

If you don't want to use glue, swap it out for screws when attaching the craft wood to the cutting boards. The plant hangers don't have additional holes to screw it to the wood, however, so using E6000 glue will be the best thing to use. Another option would be to replace the plant hangers with wood planks. With wood, you can drill holes to secure it with screws. The downside of using wood instead of metal hangers is that you wouldn't have the built-in hooks to hold a towel bar. 

You can also paint the cutting boards and craft wood before assembling your shelf to make it stand out or blend into your bathroom aesthetic. Prep the wood by sanding and priming it beforehand so the paint sticks to the surface and doesn't peel.