Have you ever stopped to think about how much stuff you keep in your bathroom? For what’s usually one of the smallest rooms in the house, we sure expect it to handle a lot.
Toiletries, towels, makeup, hair appliances, spa treatments, toilet paper, medicine, first-aid supplies, and a few random items thrown in for good measure. If you don’t plan bathroom storage right, you could end up with a cluttered mess on your hands (and in your shower).
Reddit user WiseRemarks made sure to include space for everything in their recent bathroom remodel, incorporating a sleek SEKTION built-in. They were inspired by a similar project they saw on Jenna Sue Design Co., which includes an awesome step-by-step.
It looks great! Talk about a total transformation!
What You’ll Need
- IKEA SEKTION/MAXIMERA high cabinet with doors and drawers (Enköping/brown walnut effect) 30” x 24” x 80”
- 5 door/drawer pulls
- 2x4s for base
- Plywood underlayment
- Several 1×3 furring strips
- Two-inch construction screws
- Heavy-duty anchors
- Trim
- Crown molding
- Caulk
- Basics — Tape measure, saw, drill, screw gun
Add a SEKTION Built-In to Your Bathroom
1. Assemble the SEKTION
Put together the SEKTION/MAXIMERA cabinet according to IKEA’s instructions. The SEKTION line offers a range of configurations, finishes, and sizes, making it easy to find something that suits your specific space and style.
Even one of the comments on the hack said that the SEKTION is perfect for storage projects because you can reconfigure it as your needs change. You can add shelves, more drawers, interior slide-outs, etc., without adjusting the built-in frame.
2. Build the BASE
It’s time to add support for your soon-to-be built-in! Use the 2x4s to create a base for the cabinet that fits within the available space. The base is important for adding stability and lifting the unit off the floor. Installing a plywood underlayment on top of the 2x4s provides extra strength and support.
3. Position and Trim Out the Cabinet
Place the SEKTION cabinet on the base and secure it through the bottom of the unit using the construction screws. Secure the cabinet to the wall using heavy-duty anchors designed for your wall material.
Cut the furring strips into 9-inch strips. Attach several pieces to the sides of the cabinet using 1½” wood screws, screwed through the inside of the cabinet.
These furring strips are what you’ll use to attach the side trim around the unit to create the built-in look. Add baseboard trim that matches the other trim in the space. Finally, attach the side molding to the furring strips and install crown molding on top to turn your hack into a custom, built-in beauty.
4. Add Caulk and Handles
Caulk seams for a smooth, streamlined finish. (Use a paintable caulk so you can touch it up with the trim color for a seamless appearance.) Install handles and drawer pulls of your choice on the cabinet door and drawer fronts.
What Were the Challenges With This Hack?
The creator of this hack mentioned the trim being surprisingly difficult because their house was built in the early 1950s. Therefore, the walls were really uneven, making it tricky to get that straight, sleek visual.
To compensate for the wonky walls, they had to measure the gap every two inches and shave down the trim pieces a little bit at a time to get everything to fit just right. They added, “It’s a tight and imperfect squeeze, and the caulk is doing a lot of heavy lifting, but I’m super happy with how the whole thing turned out!”
We can see why! It looks fantastic!
Beautiful Built-In Bathroom Storage for Less
The SEKTION high cabinet, including the drawer fronts and doors, drawers, and even some interior drawers and shelves, is $895.
Add a little extra for wood, screws, and handles, and you get a custom, built-in storage unit for under $1,000. (Imagine if you were able to score pieces secondhand or in IKEA’s second-chance section!)
What do you think? Would this customizable hack solve your bathroom storage problems?