I have been waiting impatiently to share my latest project with you guys! I have a group of some amazing DIY blogging buddies and we like to get together for monthly building challenges. Remember when I built my 3 leg table side table? That was my contribution to the One Board Challenge.
This month its my turn to host the challenge! Seeing how its January and most people are starting to get everything sorted out after the holidays, this month’s theme is ORGANIZATION. I challenge I issued to my friends was this: Build some kind of storage solution. Part of the project can be upcycled, but at least one component must be built from scratch.
My boys’ bathroom is a disaster, so my #OrganizeBuildChallenge submission is a shelf/ towel bar hybrid, combining wood, paint, and clear acrylic sheets. Although the idea of a new material, like acrylic, may seem intimidating but I promise you, it went together so easily! The whole project took me a single afternoon.
Materials List:
- (2) 5-1/2″ x 18″ x 3/8″ acrylic sheet (This supplier will cut sheets for free)
- (1) 1 x 6 x 72″ – wood board
- (1) 1-3/8″ x 48″ – wood closet rod
- (1) 3/8″ x 12″ – wood dowel
- (8) *2″ wood screws
- (8) *screw head covers
- (4) *3/4″ L-brackets
or 
Cut List:
- (2) 1 x 6 @ 36″
- (1) 1-3/8″ closet rod @ 38-3/4″
- (2) 3/8″ wood dowel @ 2-1/8″
1. Cut and finish your pieces and allow to fully dry. You can cut the acrylic sheets yourself, or request them to be cut from your supplier. I found a company on Ebay which was inexpensive and didn’t charge for cutting.
2. Start by drilling and prepping your acrylic side panels. Leave the protective film on the acrylic as long as you can. Measure 2″ from the bottom edge, and center between the sides and make a mark. Using a 1-3/8″ forstner drill bit, make a hole.
3. 3/8″ from the top edge, pre-drill two holes though the acrylic and into the ends of the first wood board. Counter-bore the holes and attach the pieces with 2″ wood screws. Measure 10″ down from the bottom side of the first shelf and align your second board. Pre-drill, counter-bore and attach with screws.
4. A cool and simple way to address the exposed screw heads is to cover them with screw head caps. I found a set of matte black covers for $0.29 at local True Value.
You just simply tap them into place and the screws instantly look much better.
5. Insert the finished closet rod through the holes, leaving 1″ overhang on each end. Drill a 3/8″ hole, vertically through the rod, just outside the acrylic.
6. Use a mallet to tap wood dowel pins till centered through holes.
7. The shelf is built and ready to hang on the wall. To mount my shelf, I attached four, 3/4″ L-brackets to the wall, then placed and attached the shelf.
And here’s the final look!
I love that this shelving unit is pretty sizable; I can hang 2-3 large towels and lots of bathroom sundries, but because of the transparent sides, it doesn’t take up too much visual space.
Hopefully, the kids’ bathroom should be a little more tidy from now on.
My friends are so talented! I am blown away with the projects they have come up with. This challenge is a Blog Hop, so hop around! Make sure to click the links below and check out 9 different blogger’s organization projects.
Jaime- That’s My Letter, Jen- The House of Wood, Emily- Merrypad, Donna- Funky Junk Interiors, Kim- The Kim Six Fix, Mindi- My Love 2 Create, Corey- Sawdust 2 Stitches, Sarah- The Ugly Ducking House
Ready to make you own? Feel free to pin the image below!
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Amazing design Elisha!
That came out so great! The little screw cap finishing detail is awesome!
Honestly… this looks like a high end must have from some high end store! Absolutely gorgeous design and execution! I really love how the shelf appears to illuminate due to those clear sides. Love this!
Thanks for organizing this challenge, it really made me push hard for something I needed! 🙂
Such a beautiful project and I love the screw caps too! Thanks for hosting Elisha!
Stunning project, Elisha!
Elisha great mix of materials, such a professional looking piece.
Cool stuff, out of norm, I love it.
Nice job. 🙂
ooo! I love the acrylic sides! So unique and sassy!
I love this piece SO much Elisha!! I've been wondering where to get acrylic boards for another project – thanks for the Ebay tip! Lindi @ Love Create Celebrate 🙂
Hey,nice