Step 2: Prepare the Terra Cotta Pots
Choose two pots that are approximately the same size and shape.
Before using them, inspect each pot carefully for cracks or damage. Small decorative pots may look attractive but aren’t always designed to support significant weight.
Wash them thoroughly and allow them to dry completely.
If you want a more polished appearance, you can paint the pots.
For example, you could use:
- Cream
- White
- Soft beige
- Terracotta
- Sage green
- Matte gray
A natural terracotta finish also looks excellent if you’re going for a rustic or earthy bathroom style.
Step 3: Turn the Pots Upside Down
Place the two terra cotta pots upside down on the bathroom countertop.
Position them so that they are approximately the same distance from each end of the wooden board.
The spacing is important.
If the pots are too close together, the board may not provide much usable surface. If they’re too far apart, the board may become unstable depending on its size and weight.
Try placing the board over the pots temporarily before decorating anything.
This allows you to experiment with the position.
Step 4: Place the Wooden Board on Top
Once you’re happy with the spacing, carefully place the wooden cutting board across the two inverted pots.
The board now becomes a raised bathroom platform.
At this point, you can decide whether you want the project to remain completely temporary or make it more permanent.
For a simple decorative arrangement, leaving the pieces separate can make sense because you can easily move or clean them.
If the platform will be used in a location where it could be bumped frequently, additional measures may be appropriate to prevent the board from sliding.
Step 5: Protect the Wood
Bathrooms are humid environments, so untreated wood requires some consideration.
Water, steam, soap, and cleaning products can eventually stain or damage untreated wood.
If you’re using the board in a bathroom, consider applying a suitable water-resistant wood finish according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Allow the finish to cure completely before bringing the board into contact with bathroom items.
This simple step can help preserve the wood and make the project much easier to maintain.
Step 6: Turn It Into a Bathroom Organizer
Now comes the fun part: decorating the finished project.
The raised wooden platform can hold many different things.
For example, you could place:
- A liquid soap dispenser
- A small lotion bottle
- Folded hand towels
- A candle
- A small vase
- A toothbrush holder
- Decorative jars
- Skincare products
- A small plant
The key is not to overcrowd it.
The beauty of this project comes from its simplicity.
A few carefully chosen objects can make the entire bathroom feel more organized.
Step 7: Add Folded Towels
One of the easiest ways to make this DIY look like an intentional bathroom accessory is to add neatly folded towels.
Small white or neutral-colored hand towels work particularly well.
Stack two or three towels together on one side of the wooden board while keeping the other side available for soap or decorative items.
The contrast between the warm wood and soft white towels creates a clean, spa-inspired appearance.
Step 8: Add a Candle for a Spa-Like Touch
A small candle can transform the appearance of the setup.
Place it in a stable container and keep it away from towels, curtains, paper products, and anything else that could catch fire.
If you don’t want an open flame in the bathroom, a flameless LED candle can create a similar decorative effect.
Step 9: Bring in a Little Greenery
A small plant or vase of flowers can make the arrangement feel much more alive.
You don’t need a large plant.
A tiny potted plant, a few stems in a small vase, or even artificial greenery can provide a beautiful natural accent.
Plants are especially effective when the rest of the bathroom uses neutral colors.
The green leaves contrast beautifully with the white countertop and warm wooden surface.
Different Ways to Customize the Project
The basic idea can easily be adapted to different decorating styles.
Farmhouse Style
Use a naturally finished wooden board with white or cream-colored pots.
Add:
- White towels
- A glass soap dispenser
- A small metal sign
- A simple ceramic vase
This creates a relaxed farmhouse-inspired look.
Modern Minimalist Style
Choose a smooth wooden board and simple neutral-colored pots.
Keep the decoration minimal.
One soap dispenser, one folded towel, and one small plant may be enough.
Rustic Style
Leave the terra cotta pots in their natural color and use a slightly darker wood.
The imperfections and natural textures become part of the design.
Coastal Style
Use a light-colored board and white-painted pots.
Add white towels, pale blue accessories, and simple glass containers.
Spa-Inspired Style
Choose warm wood, white accessories, fluffy towels, a candle, and greenery.
The goal is to create a calm and uncluttered appearance rather than filling every available space.
What Can Go Under the Wooden Board?
One of the most interesting features of this project is the open space underneath.
You don’t have to leave it completely empty.
Depending on the size of the platform, the area underneath could be used to store:
- Extra hand towels
- Small baskets
- Decorative containers
- Bathroom accessories
- Rolled washcloths
However, leaving some empty space can make the entire arrangement look cleaner.
A Few Important Safety Considerations
Although this DIY is simple, stability should come first.
Make sure the terra cotta pots are sturdy and positioned securely. The wooden board should sit evenly across both supports.
Avoid placing heavy objects on the platform unless you’ve confirmed that the pots and board can safely support them.
Also, avoid placing the project directly beside a sink where constant splashing could make the wooden surface wet.
If the board becomes wet, wipe it dry rather than allowing water to sit on the surface.
And if you use a real candle, always keep it away from towels, plants, paper products, and other flammable materials.
Why This Little DIY Is So Clever
What makes this project appealing isn’t just how inexpensive it can be.
It’s the idea of looking at ordinary household objects differently.
A terra cotta flowerpot normally belongs in the garden.
A cutting board normally belongs in the kitchen.
But put two pots upside down, add a wooden board, and suddenly you’ve created a small bathroom organizer that looks surprisingly like a purpose-built piece of furniture.
It’s a good example of how simple materials can be transformed when they’re used in an unexpected way.
Final Project: A Charming DIY Bathroom Shelf
The finished project is simple but surprisingly useful.
Two inverted terra cotta pots provide the foundation, while the wooden cutting board creates a warm, natural surface above them. Add folded towels, attractive soap dispensers, a small vase, greenery, and perhaps a candle, and the result becomes a charming bathroom display.
Best of all, the project doesn’t require complicated construction.
The final look is a small, raised bathroom organizer that combines storage, decoration, and natural textures in one simple DIY.
If your bathroom feels a little plain or your countertop needs better organization, this is a great project to experiment with. Sometimes, a wooden board and two ordinary flowerpots are all it takes to create something that looks completely different from what you started with.
