Adding Built-In Shelves for Bathroom In-Wall Storage

We’re ready for the next step of our bathroom built-in shelves: actually adding the shelves! Watch the install and get our tips for creating between-stud storage shelves. 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel here and watch this in-wall storage project unfold from our plan for the in-wall shelves to cutting the drywall, framing the opening, and finishing the drywall to a smooth texture, plus installing a pocket door to make the built-in shelving more easily accessible and save floor space.

Sometime soon we’ll be ready for the finishing touches, plus the other projects we have planned for this bathroom makeover. (Our exciting news has slowed down our projects even more than our usual not-fast speed, but we will never complain!!)

Building and Installing Built-in Shelves in the Bathroom

This post contains affiliate links; learn more and read our full disclosure policy here. 

In our last project segment, we showed how we cut the drywall and prepped the wall cavity with some additional structure and framing to get ready for the actual shelves.

Once the hole is ready, the in-wall storage shelf can be built pretty quickly and inexpensively. I chose to use MDF to built the shelves for a couple of reasons: it’s pre-painted, which saves time, and it’s straight and smooth with no knot holes or other imperfections to worry about.

Click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see how we finish this project and what we do next!

While some might choose to have adjustable shelves in a built-in cabinet like this, we chose to have fixed shelves. That made this faster and easier to build, plus then the adjustable shelves won’t be a factor to worry about when we finish the trim and, if all goes according to plan, add the sliding mirror door that we want.

Want to build your own? Get printable plans here. 

Tools and Materials for Built-in Bathroom Shelves

I used MDF board, which I purchased by the foot and trimmed to the exact size I needed (both width and length) using my table saw — and the beauty of that was that the thin pieces I trimmed work perfect for the front section of the shelf to hold items on the shelf securely!

Check out my sweet table saw workbench building plans here.

• Miter Saw
• Pneumatic Nailer
• Air Compressor
• 72″ Level
• 24″ Level
• FatMax Stanley Tape Measure 
• Portable Wet/Dry Vacuum
• Speed Square 
• Sanding Block 
• Sand Paper Sheets 
• Titebond II Wood Glue

Next up: caulking, finishing the trim, and all those other finishing touches.

Stay tuned for this project finish and more of our family news by subscribing to our channel here. 

See more of these bathroom built-in projects:

• Planning built-in bathroom storage between the studs
• Cutting and removing drywall for between-stud storage shelves
• How to convert a regular door to a pocket door

Want more storage in a small space? Try these:

• Rustic Wood Wall Bins
• Tall Narrow Shoe Cubby Organizer
• Under Sink Cabinet Door Storage Bins