Practical Unique Solution for the Bathroom Bookworm
There are spaces in every home where the idea of adding décor just seems odd. For me, one of those places is the empty space above the loo...i.e., the toilet.
This area of my bath, as you saw in my bathroom renovation post, is completely bare. For several years now, I've wanted to place something there. But I wanted that something to serve a function and be beautiful as well.
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Most people install open shelves in this area. But dusting is already a time consuming chore. This would also mean having to remove items off of the shelves for a weekly cleaning. Not interested.
Others install a towel rack to display beautiful bath linens. That idea seemed a bit old-fashioned and not really worth the investment. Besides, on the other side of the room we had already installed the wine rack for our bath towels pictured below.
At one point I placed a candle (see old photo below) to add a bit of color. Not only did it look sad and lonely sitting on the back of the toilet, but the soot produced by the open flame when it was in use, would create dark smudges on the newly painted wall and ceiling. NOT good.
Building the Case for My Alternative Solution
Whenever I visit friends and family, they automatically know that there are two things that will bring me spontaneous joy A) something fruity to drink, and B) a beautiful magazine to flip through. Now, producing a fruity drink while in the loo is a bit bizarre. But the thought of having an interesting and beautiful magazine or book on hand to read when... enjoying a nice warm bubble bath (uh huh... you thought I was going to say something else, right?)...seemed very luxurious to me.
Suddenly I recalled how I saw a home tour in which simple wooden hangers were used to display newspapers and magazines, and hung on doorknobs. Ahh! THIS would look great on the wall behind the toilet!
Excitedly, I pulled out a coat hanger and a magazine and off I went to sellmy husband on my idea. I thought for sure he was going to hate it. But to my surprise he suggested that I refine the look by using high polished chrome hangers instead of the wooden ones. His suggestion was shockingly GUUD! So before he could change his mind, I quickly pulled together the rest of my supplies.
Supplies Needed:
- Chrome hangers
- Chrome wall hooks
- Bling roll
- $1 Rings from a beauty supply store
- A few current magazines
This DIY took more brain work than physical labor. After installing the hooks, and wrapping the necks of the hangers with a bit of bling, the only thing left to do was hang it.
When ever I want that extra POP I always head to my local beauty supply store. There are all kinds of blingy things there that work perfectly as finishing touches to a DIY. In the photo above, I disassembled a $1 bling ring and hot glued the top portion to the hanger. Voila! That project was complete.
Then it occurred to me that I now needed a nicer way to display the paper towels we use to dry our hands. That's the domino effect of home decor. This is what I came up with.
This was actually a free standing toilet paper holder which was modified to fit a paper towel roll. Sheets can be pulled from a back opening. After checking to make sure my oversized paper towel rolls would fit, my husband and I grabbed a hack saw and chopped it down to size.
I then added some greenery, a clock which is helpful in the mornings, and something special behind the clock. Wanna see what's behind the crystal clock?
With the exception of the paper towel holder, all of the other items I already had. The crystal clock and Waterford crystal business card holder were both gifted to me. Last, I added a small flower to my faux arrangement and my project was complete.
The great thing about this project is how easy it is to keep this area clean! The magazines are changed often. Hangers can be cleaned with a wet wipe. And all of the items in the tray can be moved all at once for cleaning. That's just awesome!
Please tell me, how did you like this little DIY project?
- Do you think this is a practical idea?
- Have you ever used an unconventional item to decorate your home?
Please let me know in the comments below!
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Merci Beaucoup!
