Easy DIY Bathroom Projects

Top-Rung Towel Fix

Add a vintage ladder for stylish small-space storage. Refresh the flea market find with chalk-style paint that matches the accessories, then use it to layer sumptuous fouta towels in the same color. Hang metal planters on the bottom rung to hold brushes and hairstyling aids.

Transformed Toothbrush Holder

Create a statement with this quirky animal toothbrush holder made from a wooden figurine. To make the accessory functional, drill holes all the way through using a 3/4-inch drill bit, then paint it, using glossy white spray paint. Look through second-hand stores for inexpensive wooden animals or other objects large enough to accommodate being drilled for holes without splitting.

Rustic Shelves

Don't get rid of fallen tree limbs just yet. Stray branches make a charming accent to purchased white shelf boards. Start by trimming the branches to 12 inches long. Mark a spot centered 2 inches from one end of each shelf. Drill through the spot and into the bottom of a branch. Repeat on the other end of the board. Use a wood screw to attach the branches in place. Position the second shelf, and drill and screw down into the attached branches from the top. Repeat the process for each shelf. Add mounting hardware and hang on screws that have been anchored into the wall.

Mod Geometric Rug

Regular craft felt combines with thick furniture feet pads to make this DIY bathroom rug. To assemble the Pop Art-inspired piece, cut out 36 felt circles in a variety of colors using one 3-inch-wide felt pad as a pattern. Attach the circles to the adhesive side of the furniture pads. Arrange in a pleasing grid pattern and flip over so the color faces down. To link the circles, attach neutral-color cotton trim to each row using fabric glue, and let them dry 24-72 hours before using.

Sophisticated Vanity Update

Utilize every inch of bathroom space by installing a drawer pull on a vanity side. The budget-friendly hardware stands in for a hand towel bar and can be customized to coordinate with surrounding finishes. Spray-paint the drawer pull and vanity knobs the same color for a cohesive look.

Note to Self

A hidden message written inside your medicine cabinet makes mornings even sunnier. For the chalkboard panel, lightly sand the interior of the cabinet door. Outline with painter's tape, and apply at least two coats of chalkboard paint with a small roller. Finish the look with an unexpected burst of color by lining the back of the cabinet with laminated peel-and-stick contact paper.

• Crush-Worthy Chalkboard Paint Projects

Budget Bathroom Jars

Rescue pickle jars or other glass containers from the recycling bin, and give them a new purpose holding cotton products. To accommodate the knob, drill a hole in the center of the lid. Prime and paint the lids, then let dry. Spray with a clear sealer to protect the paint. Once dry, attach each knob, and cut off the excess shank. For a final pop of color, glue strips of punchy patterned paper to the jars.

Sleek Side Table

For stylish storage by your bath or shower, refinish a flea market find. Metallic gold spray paint breathes new life into this secondhand side table that's the perfect size for soaps and shampoo. Start with a spray-on primer, then layer four thin coats of colored paint for the best results.

Modern Mirror Makeover

Perk up a clearance-find mirror with just a few strips of tape and your favorite color of spray paint. Mask off stripes on the mirror using thin artist's tape and parchment paper before spray-painting white. Remove the tape before the paint is completely dry to avoid peeling.

Simple Labeled Bins

Print numbers or letters in your favorite font and trace them onto inexpensive white wire baskets with a permanent marker. Use them to identify the contents of each basket or designate to whom the storage container belongs.

Better-Than-Basic Shelf

This wall shelf pulls double duty, thanks to an added wooden dowel. To create the towel bar, measure the distance between the shelf brackets, then cut the dowel 1/2 inch longer. Paint the dowel and let it dry. Use a hole saw to drill a 1/4-inch-deep hole on the inside of each bracket and directly opposite each other. Finally, apply wood glue to the inside of each hole and position the dowel.

Stenciled Accent Wall

Give bland bathroom walls a refresh with our simple steps for stenciling. This DIY update is easier than you might think.

Grab and Go Containers

Repurpose cast-off wood drawers as open bathroom bins. Fabric scraps make fashionable facades when cut to size and glued to the drawer fronts. Finish with printed labels to keep beauty supplies and linens organized.

Try Tile Tattoos

Pump up the style factor in a boring white bathroom with paint and vinyl stickers. Tile decals dress up simple 4x4-inch tiles and are readily accessible in a variety of sizes, colors, and styles. Best of all, they're inexpensive and easy to install. Make black and white decals, such as this crab, pop by choosing a bold color for the walls. To avoid a checkerboard look, arrange the decals in a random order.

Patterned Utility Sink and Shelves

Create an unexpected look by trading a vanity for a versatile wall-mount laundry sink accompanied by floating shelving. Keep the grand sink from becoming an eyesore by dressing it with self-adhesive wallpaper tiles that are easy to apply. Center the pattern on the sink's front and then carefully wrap it around the corners. Place seams on the sides, matching patterns as you go, then trim to fit. Shelves hung beside and below the sink provide valuable storage space.

• Love this bold color combo? Check out other bathroom color palettes we love.

Striped Shower Curtain

Craft an extra-long custom curtain from a plastic-backed canvas drop cloth embellished with painted stripes. Lay the drop cloth on a flat surface and iron or steam out any wrinkles. Starting at the top, measure, mark, and tape off stripes in desired widths. Apply paint with a small foam roller. Let the paint dry thoroughly before taping off and applying stripes in a second color. After the paint has dried, hang the shower curtain with clip-on curtain rings.

Fashion Rope Rug

Create warmth and style for your bathroom floor with this simple coil rug. All you need is some braided polypropylene rope, heavy-duty duct tape, and scissors.

Fashion Rope Rug How-To

On a hard surface, tightly coil the rope so it starts to make a circle. As the circle grows larger, apply duct tape so the coil doesn't unwind. After coil circle is the desired rug size, add an extra layer of duct tape that lies in one direction. Trim the ends that go over the outside edge of the rug, then flip it over to see your finished creation.

For our rug, we used rope that was 5/8-inches in diameter and 90 feet long. The rug was 3 feet wide when finished.

Tiled Vanity

Create a custom vanity on a budget. Top a 24x36-inch plywood board with cement board. Depending on the board's thickness, you might need to add wood strips to the sides to make the top measure 2 inches thick total. To avoid unattractive cuts, we chose 6x6-inch ceramic tiles for the vanity top and 1-inch glass mosaic tiles for the sides. Apply tile as desired. Screw a cleat through wall studs to support the vanity back, and mount the top on 4x4 wood posts. Slowly cut holes for the drain and faucet using a carbide- or diamond-tipped drill bit for ceramic tile. Install a shelf with L brackets.

• Maximize the storage space in your small bathroom.

Rope-Wrapped Frame

Visually anchor a 20x24-inch mirror with an easy, nautical-inspired 32x36-inch frame. To make the frame, miter 1x4 pine boards and join them with wood glue. Tape the ends of the rope to prevent raveling, then glue one taped end to the back of the frame. Wrap the rope around the frame several times, and secure the other end with glue. Hang the frame with a cleat to allow clearance for the rope.