If you’re working with a small bathroom, every inch matters. I wanted something simple and functional—but also a little more stylish than a basic toilet paper holder. This easy DIY toilet paper holder with a shelf adds just enough space for essentials (like your phone, spray or a small plant) while keeping things clean and uncluttered. It’s a quick project that makes a big difference.
For as long as we’ve lived here, the guest bathroom’s toilet paper rested in a basket on the floor. Not ideal. So, rather than just secure a pretty oil rubbed bronze holder to the wall, I attached it to a piece of stained scrap wood to create a shelf for decorative accessories like a small plant, air freshener, vase of flowers, extra t.p. or even just cell phone accident prevention, if you know what I mean.
What I Used:
Some affiliate links included for your convenience.
- oil rubbed bronze toilet paper holder
- scrap wood (mine is a 1×6 measuring about 10″ in length)
- Rustoleum Ultimate Wood Care stain & polyurethane
- 2 corner brackets and screws (try decorative brackets if they work with your holder/wood measurements)
What I Did:
1. Cut, sand and clean a piece of scrap wood.
2. Stain wood shelf by applying stain. Then wipe away with a clean rag. I use RustOleum Ultimate Wood Stain since it dries in about an hour.
3. Seal wood. I did two coats.
4. Attach the toilet paper holder to the under side of the shelf. Allowing room for toilet paper to roll (not be tight agains the wall when installed).
Optional: Have inspector approve your work.
5. Attach corner brackets on one side where shelf will rest against the wall.
6. Decide placement (keeping everyone’s size in mind – not too far of a reach but not so close that it’s in the way of someone’s knees or thighs) and using a level (there’s one in my iPhone’s compass), secure shelf to the wall with screws (use wall anchors if needed).
7. Add a roll of toilet paper.
What I Wish I Had Done Differently:
Here is where I’d recommend choosing brackets that are a little more decorative as at certain angles, they can be seen.
Other Bathroom Updates:
Pedestal sink means no storage. Storage cubes with linen milk crates/bins for organizing towels and bath products…
{It’s been nearly SIX years and the painted floor is still in good shape!}
Just a few finishing but helpful/functional accessories make a big difference!
More Bathroom Posts You’ll Love:
Bathroom Makeover Before & After
Before & After Bathroom Reveal
Bathroom Renovation Before & After
Hah, I totally love the little shelf for the cell phone. It’s a common problem where to put it. My husband recently threw his phone into the toilet 😉
I know… I just did the same thing… well I didn’t build but I took my phone with me to the restroom.. mine resides on the extra large ottoman that I use as a hamper..!! Isn’t it something that we do that. We’re afraid we are going to miss something…lol That is nice though..
Thanks for this great idea! I am going to “whip one up” myself!
My main bathroom is roomy, and they put the toilet paper dispenser on one wall parallel to the toilet, and I always thought it’d be closer if on the other wall. AND that perfect spot could use a lil “somethin” (like a shelf!) anyway.
And also…thanks for tellin me I can get a level app!!! OOOh I am one happy camper! So many times I wish I had one handy, and I am too lazy to go “find” one in the garage (the garage organization is on our list of to-dos. LOL)
Love, love, love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!
I really love this! Super clever and stylish. I just love your whole bathroom. I’m inspired to work on my extremely outdated one now 🙂
Thanks so much, Erica! xo
Great idea. I have the exact holder. But mine has never been out of it’s original packaging since I bought it several years ago. I did not like the idea of the toilet paper up against the wall but with your clever idea, it would be a shame not to finally break it out of the box and mount it. Presently the roll sits on the window sill but not within reach of all who use the bathroom. Great idea. Thanks.
Awesome, Donna! Good luck! I don’t know why we put these things off (why our toilet paper sat on the floor in a basket…for years. lol!) I’m so glad you stopped by!
That’s a great tutorial and very unique idea. Thanks so much! I’m sharing this all over. Ü
Nancy
love your total bath the shelf is just frosting on that sweetheart bath! How did you do paint the floor or did you mean under the rug and I liked the striped walls too.
Thanks, Sharon! It comes in handy! And yes, that’s a painted/stenciled floor. It’s been quite a few years and it’s still holding up. Here’s the old blog post with more details: https://diyshowoff.com/2009/12/12/painting-a-bathroom-floor-a-diy-painted-rug/ And there’s more info on the rest of the bathroom in our home tour at https://diyshowoff.com/farmhouse-tour-2/. Hope that helps! So happy you stopped by! xo
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I never would have thought of adding a shelf! SO clever 🙂
I think this may be our next little project! I love the browns in the room. Can you share where you got the Fruit of the Spirit wall hanging from?
Thanks, Connie! It’s from Dee at Red Letter Words: http://www.redletterwords.com
🙂
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thanks for the inspiration!
In hindsight, would you have spray painted the brackets under the shelf with ORB paint? That way it would blend in instead of accentuate.
Sure, I would! But really, they’re only visible at that height from a distance and my walls are gray stripes so it doesn’t stand out like a sore thumb for us. 🙂
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I think the concept is freaking awesome, i built a few myself. But I used a more decorative L-shape brackets.
Oh my goodness, brilliant! I would love to feature this on a blog post I’m planning on Small Bathroom Ideas. Would you mind if I used a photo and linked back to this post? Let me know.
This is great! It gives you a perfect spot to store reading material for those… longer bathroom trips. Or, you know, you can prop your phone up on it and watch Youtube videos or something since almost no one goes to the bathroom without their smartphone nowadays… 😉
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Great idea! Perfect solution for a small bathroom where any extra space makes a difference.
This is awesome. Does anyone know where I could buy one? I am the crafty sort, but having moved into a condo, I don’t have access to saws and the ability to stain. I would gladly pay someone for something like this!
Is the light fixture from Lowes? If not would you mind sharing where you got it! Thanks
Hi Bethany,
It’s called the “Washington Collection” from Lighting Direct but they’re from 2009…so I’m not sure of the availability but I hope that helps you track them down. The only other thing I can suggest is just searching for “school-house style lighting”. Best of luck!
How can something so simple be so cool! Never thought of making such a simple yet genius paper holder. Thank for sharing your idea.
Nice job! it really fits in with you bathroom too! woodstain makes everything look great!
LOVE IT!!!!!! Such a clever idea. I plan on making this for my master bathroom redo.Oh, and your kitty is adorable! Thanks so much for sharing!
Is there a way to post pics of to holders others have been inspired to make? Mine turned out great and I LOVE it. Wasn’t sure (until I later examined your photos closer) what stain color you used (Kona) so I bought Dark Walnut. Thanks for the tutorial! So easy, fun and cute!!
I’d love to see it and include a photo/feature in my blog post, Karen! Simply email it to me at thediyshowoff@gmail.com.
Thanks for sharing!
This is actually a pretty cute idea! I usually use the top of my toilet or tub to hold my phone, but this is better.
What an amazing idea! The toilet paper holder with shelf is just amazing and the kind of idea I can use as an “extra” to wow my customers
I love this kind of stuff
THANK YOU
I love this idea, From someone who has dropped a phone in the loo, this is a great idea.
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NICE!!!!..GOING TO DO THIS☝️