We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Floating shelves tend to steal the show when you’re looking for smart storage solutions in compact bathrooms. They work great for maximizing space without needing wall demolition or expensive renovations. But if you want something a little different, we’ve got a DIY project that’s straightforward and won’t break the bank. YouTuber has found the perfect answer: an elegant, gold-toned cabinet built from small plastic crates with picture frame doors. This smart storage unit can hold everything from cotton balls and makeup to shampoo bottles and styling products. To tackle this budget-friendly yet chic project, grab nine mini plastic crates — you can snag a 12-pack for roughly $33 or grab a pair for around $13. Pick up nine picture frames that match the measurements of your crates to use as doors. You’ll also want a plastic toilet paper holder, adhesive wall hooks, and some gold thumbtacks. Round out your supplies with a bundle of zip ties, 18 one-inch hinges, and a can of waterproof metallic gold spray paint. Don’t forget a waterproof adhesive like E6000 and a hot glue gun to complete the project.
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Skip The Floating Shelf: A Smart Way To Get More Storage In Your Bathroom
Building your bathroom cabinet from mini plastic crates
Building this storage system is pretty straightforward, though there are quite a few steps involved. Start by gathering all your materials in one spot so you won’t need to hunt for supplies partway through. Next, take apart the picture frames by removing the fasteners with pliers. Toss out the wood or cardboard backing, but save that clear glass or plastic panel. Slap some E6000 on two of the 18 hinges and secure them to the left edge of one crate. Add more glue to the top of the hinges and attach your frame. Use masking tape to hold everything in place while it dries. Run through this same process with all your remaining crates and frames.
Once your doors are attached to the crates, line up three crates in a row. Apply adhesive to both sides of the middle crate — hold them together with masking tape while the glue sets. Keep going until you’ve got a three-by-three crate cabinet. Stick the adhesive hooks and toilet paper holder to the sides of your cabinet for even more storage spots.
Take your cabinet outside and spray it with at least two coats of gold paint. After it’s dry to the touch, it’s time to finish those doors. Add a thin strip of magnetic tape to the inside bottom corner of each picture frame, then press three metal thumbtacks into the matching spot on the plastic crates. The magnetic tape will grab onto the tacks and keep your door shut. Finally, use hot glue to reattach the glass or plastic panels to the back of the picture frames.
Make your mini plastic crate cabinet match your bathroom style
If you’ve been searching for stylish bathroom storage without the sticker shock, mini plastic crates are about to become your secret weapon — and for good reason. They’re super easy to customize. This crate cabinet gives you a solid foundation for bathroom storage, but there’s tons of room to get creative with the look and functionality. Say you want to brighten up a dark bathroom corner — grab some puck lights (a three-pack runs about $10) and mount them inside the top of each cubby. They even include a remote so you can flip them on and off whenever you want. This saves you from shelling out cash for electrical work to add built-in lighting.
Worried about counter space? Hang this cabinet on the wall by screwing it into a stud or using wall anchors. Want to get wild with it? You’re not stuck with rectangle or square shapes when it’s wall-mounted — arrange those crates however you like, maybe in a zigzag or diagonal pattern. Swap the clear glass in those picture frames for mirror glass to create a trendy window frame look. Skip the gold spray paint entirely and go for a different finish instead. Mix it with some industrial touches and edgy accents to nail that warehouse loft vibe. Or forget metallic paint altogether — pick whatever color works with your bathroom’s existing décor.
