Bathroom design dilemma

Beth
by Beth
We had the opportunity to remodel our small downstairs bathroom after a fire. I wanted to have an extra shower so I used the adjacent bedroom closet to make a good sized walk in shower (on the opposite wall from the sink and toilet) but I was still left with only 4 feet to put in the sink and toilet which were left in their original position. My dream was to have a custom vanity top made that extended out over the toilet, put a mirror on the whole wall and run the accent tile I used in the shower extending the length of the wall between the counter top and mirror. The contractors were anxious to finish so my pictures show what I ended up with. I priced out the custom counter option and it's more than I can spend right now (and the built in sink that came with the vanity is quite nice). I would still like to put the accent tile along the whole wall but I don't want to have just a strip of accent tile running along the wall with nothing under or above it. I do need more counter space since the vanity is only 18" deep. Does anyone have any suggestions for adding shelf over the toilet that wouldn't look like a cob job or even suggestions on how I can add the accent tile along the wall without adding extra counter space or tiling up the wall?
Very small area with no counter space (4"),
The existing mirror does not have to stay.
Accent tile in shower on opposite wall
Accent tile (I have plenty left, they were supposed to put more in the shower)
  10 answers
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Jun 21, 2015
    Everything looks good. I like the tile! 1-I would continue the tile to the wall. 2- I would add a floating-type shelf above the tile over the toilet, in the same colour as the vanity. 3- I would continue vertically with a couple more shelves. 3- If there is a big discrepancy between the mirror width and the vanity width you could frame out the shelves in a chunky wooden frame, similar to the one on the mirror. Do you have enough tile to go right up to the mirror?
    • Beth Beth on Jun 22, 2015
      @B. Enne I love those ideas, I hadn't thought of using wood but if I can find a stain to match the vanity I think it would look great. I think I do have enough tile to go up to the mirror.
  • Debi53 Debi53 on Jun 21, 2015
    I am going to give you an 'out of the box' solution to consider. How about a shelf that hinges down & balances on the edge of your sink counter? On the wall beside the toilet, mount a shelf that extends from the wall with a piano hinge. On the underside of the shelf, paint it as a decorative panel, or modpodge a print or poster on it. Paint or stain the edges & top side dark like your cabinets, white like your vanity top, or a color that works with your bath. Seal with a clear sealer to make it cleanable. Use a decorative latch to secure it to the wall. When let down, you have a large space to spread out your "stuff." When you let it up, you have decorative wall art. To make the tile strip work, use the tile as a chair rail. Paint a different color above or below the tile. If the tile strip needs to go where the shelf is mounted on the wall, just tile right across the shelf & paint above/below it to match the bath & the shelf would just blend in. Run extra (typical) shelves above the toilet with pretty baskets on them to hold extras. Just make sure the let down shelf will clear the shelves you hang. I am including a pic to give you an idea & this also would give you more storage for your makeup if you are handy enough to build this into the wall.
    • Beth Beth on Jun 22, 2015
      @Debi53 What a clever idea! I also like the idea of painting a different color below the "chair rail" since I didn't want to have to tile the wall up to it. Thank you so much for the advice and picture!
  • Lindcurt Lindcurt on Jun 21, 2015
    Super idea Debi53. I have a friend that needs that built in. Love it.
    • Debi53 Debi53 on Jun 21, 2015
      @Lindcurt Thank you. Many, many years ago we built a kitchen table that hinged to a pegboard wall. The kitchen was so tiny and this was the perfect solution. We also used wooden folding chairs that hung on the pegboard. I don't miss the tiny kitchen, but I still miss my hinged table!
  • Anne Alexander Anne Alexander on Jun 22, 2015
    Don't know if you want to use the same type of wood in bathroom, but I have similar problem in my Bathroom. We are going to put a shelf approximately 5 inches wide running under the mirror...and extending the width of sink... will use shelf to put makeup and maybe shaving stuff on...usually a wood frame mirror to coordinate...
    • Beth Beth on Jun 22, 2015
      @Anne Alexander Great idea! I don't know if I could match the wood but maybe a glass shelf will work. Thank you!
  • Polly Zieper Polly Zieper on Jun 22, 2015
    1.. your vanity is gorgeous- so unique! 2. I'd be afraid that a shelf above the toilet- we are considering the same thing- would be a head-bumping hazard for people getting on and off of the toilet.
    • See 1 previous
    • Beth Beth on Jun 22, 2015
      @Polly Zieper Thank you, I got a great deal on Ebay for the cabinet, vanity top and mirror! I was thinking of a shelf at the back of the toilet, even with the height of the sink vanity. I tried sitting down and as long as I don't make the shelf too wide, it doesn't interfere with getting up or sitting down. The toilet tank is even low enough that I would be able to access the tank if I need to.
  • Raelene Raelene on Jun 22, 2015
    How about a cabinet built over the toilet with an open self on the bottom. You can coordinate it with you new vanity, which is beautiful. I have one that measures 38" tall. The shelves are only about 7" deep. I use it to hold extra toilet tissue and all kinds of bottles; it's amazing how much it holds. The open self at the bottom you could use decorate any way you like. The tank top comes out about 9", so it isn't intrusive. You could use your accent tile to border a vanity mirror and make a backsplash if you want.
    • Beth Beth on Jun 22, 2015
      @Raelene That's a great idea too, thank you! The little vanity under the sink stores quite a bit. It's a clever design, the drawers in it are the perfect height for toilet paper and the doors open to a fair amount of room for toiletries. Towel storage is going to be my problem, I was even thinking of splurging on a small heated towel rack over the toilet or a rack high up in the shower on the opposite side of the faucet like they do in some hotels.
  • Sonia Burrows Sonia Burrows on Jun 23, 2015
    I know if was larger but wanted to sort of just you an idea of mirrors and mirrored medicine cabinets.....but you can't go wrong with a 48" for only $40.
  • Lee Lee on Sep 13, 2016
    How about cutting between the rafters and building shelving in the wall--this would be a larger long version of the medicine cabinet above sink, and a cabinet door for closure
    • Beth Beth on Sep 13, 2016
      Thank you! I'm thinking this might work even without a cabinet door and then I could use the extra tile on the wall between the shelves.
  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Nov 03, 2021

    If you use a nice quality shelf, it should look just fine hung on the wall above the toilet. I would try and find one that is the same wood finish as your vanity.