Our vanity sits between two walls.  It is not a large vanity for a master bath, but we really don't need more than what we have.  I wanted some extra storage on the wall, but didn't want it to take up too much space or stick out too far.  So a between the studs storage unit seemed exactly what we needed.

This is what we had: two glass shelves mounted on the wall.  They worked well, but they impeded on space by sticking out into the room.



I have been looking at "between the studs" storage for awhile and think it is a great use of space.  I still haven't decided if I love it, but I think that is more a matter of me tweaking the trim work I put on it rather than the storage unit itself....at least I hope so because I don't want to regret it all together and put the drywall and shelves back up!

Here it is now finished and in use: It looks like there are two built-ins because of the mirror.


And here it is again:


What do you think?  I haven't fallen in love with it yet.  I am hoping it is a matter of tweaking the trim work that is surrounding it and not the unit itself...

What do you think it needs?  I have already played with the trim work and can't figure out how I want it.

Example #1: I first stained the entire unit - big mistake - it looked like a big brown blob in the room. In this picture it it doesn't look half bad, but when you walked in the bathroom it was the first place yours eyes (maybe just  my eyes) went - I felt like it stuck out like a sore thumb.  Maybe because in the mirror (which is straight ahead when you walk in) makes it look twice as big.


Example #2: I painted it white (the whole thing).  And then quickly realized I didn't like that either and started stripping it before I took a real photo of it all white.  I probably made my decision too quickly here.  I wish I would have left the outside trim white and painted the inside the color of the walls before I started stripping, just to see what it would have looked like.   Because now I am wondering...


Example #3: I realized I liked other built-ins when they blended in more with the surrounding with a little pop of color in the trim (white or stain).  So I painted the entire inside the same color as the walls and decided to do something else with the trim.  So I ripped off most of the trim and started over...



Current: I replaced the side trim with smaller pieces and painted them the color of the walls so that the unit would almost disappear into the wall.


I still don't know if I love it...   :-(

#4: An option I haven't tried yet:  Paint the trim work white and leave the inside painted the wall color.  or stain the trim around the sides the same color as the shelves and leave only the inside painted the wall color.

My Inspirations (+ many more on Pinterest):

Inspiration A: diyhomepin.com
I liked how these shelves float and are not too bulky looking
Inspiration B: bhg.com
I liked how the shelves coordinate with the other wood elements in the room
Inspiration C: manditremayne.blogspot.com
I liked the trim on this and how it is bright white along with the spacing of the shelves
 Inspiration D: awesomehomepins.com
I like how the wall units coordinated with the cabinet below (I also have a wood cabinet below)

I have several more "Bathroom" inspirations pinned on Pinterest:  Check them out here - I like all the images for different reasons.

So what should I do?  Help and suggestions are appreciated!  How can I make myself love this unit?  What does it need?

I would HATE realizing that it was a mistake and taking it out and replacing it with drywall/shelves again.  Mostly because of the work it would take - I despise repairing drywall - it is so hard to make it look perfect again...


Learn to Build a Storage Unit like this:  Here is the Tutorial!