Minimalist bathroom vanity with a concrete countertop, white cabinetry, and an arched mirror reflecting a tiled archway. A black-framed tabletop mirror and a white jewelry box add practicality, while a vase with lush greenery brings a touch of nature. A subtle mix of modern and farmhouse aesthetics.

DIY Counter Cabinet for Extra Bathroom Storage

Bathroom, DIY

One thing about a bathroom—you can never have too much storage! When designing my sit-down vanity, I wanted to maximize every inch. So, I built a counter cabinet right on top, creating extra storage and a dedicated hair tool garage for my curling irons and blow dryer. Best part? This project is simple and totally doable. Keep reading for the details!

Well-organized bathroom vanity featuring a concrete countertop, white cabinets with brushed gold handles, and a built-in storage tower. A brown leather stool with a black metal frame is tucked neatly under the counter, offering a stylish seating option for this serene and functional space.
Bright and airy bathroom corner with a long concrete vanity, white cabinetry, and a cozy brown leather stool. A round mirror reflects a neutral-toned, modern farmhouse aesthetic, while a framed black-and-white landscape photo on the wall adds a calming touch.

Table of Contents

What I Used

Tools

Materials

Building the Frame of My Counter Cabinet

I started by constructing the basic frame of the counter cabinet. To keep it simple, I opted for fixed shelves. rather than adjustable. Against the wall, I used screws and a drill; for the outward-facing side, I used a brad nailer—this left only tiny holes to fill later. Every joint got a dose of wood glue for extra strength.

Woman in a warm winter coat assembling a wooden cabinet in a workshop. She uses a cordless nail gun to secure the front panel while working on a plywood workbench surrounded by tools, including a miter saw and clamps.
Unfinished wooden cabinet frame lying on a workshop floor, with compartments and dividers taking shape. Tools, including a drill, nail gun, safety goggles, and wood glue, are scattered nearby, indicating an ongoing DIY project.

Next, I attached a small board to the back of the counter cabinet with screws—this acts as an anchor point to secure it to the wall.

Woman fitting a wooden cabinet door into place on a custom-built storage unit. She holds the door panel up to check the alignment before securing it, wearing a cozy plaid fleece.
Woman in a cozy plaid fleece using a power drill to secure the top panel of a custom-built wooden storage unit. The cabinet is partially assembled, featuring multiple shelves, as she works in a bright, tiled space.

Installing the Counter Cabinet

To secure the counter cabinet in place:

  1. Locate the wall studs with a stud finder.
  2. Use screws to attach the cabinet to the studs in both the back and side walls.

Once secured, this counter cabinet isn’t going anywhere!

Woman fitting a wooden cabinet door into place on a custom-built storage unit. She holds the door panel up to check the alignment before securing it, wearing a cozy plaid fleece.
Close-up view of an unfinished wooden shelving unit installed against a wall. The plywood construction shows natural wood grain, with visible screws securing the back panel.

Creating a Hair Tool Garage

A key feature of my counter cabinet is the built-in hair tool garage. I cut an opening in the side of the cabinet and enclosed the lower shelf area at the front. This design lets me add an access door on the side, making it easy to plug in my hair tools with an outlet inside the cabinet.

Partially installed custom wooden storage tower sitting on a concrete vanity in a bathroom. An arched mirror, a modern gold sconce, and unfinished cabinetry surround the new addition, highlighting the DIY renovation progress.

Adding Trim for a Finished Look

With the access door cut and the cabinet secured, it was time for trim! I added a face frame and crown molding using my brad nailer.

Woman using a red Milwaukee nail gun to secure trim pieces on a custom-built wooden counter cabinet. The cabinet, made from unfinished plywood, is being assembled atop a concrete vanity in a bathroom under construction.
Woman attaching a wooden trim piece to the top of a counter cabinet with a nail gun. She stands on a stool, pressing the trim into place while securing it to the ceiling.

This step made a huge difference—the face frame hid any gaps and covered unfinished plywood edges, while the crown molding filled the space at the top. Instant polished, built-in look!

Completed installation of a custom-built wooden counter cabinet with trim detailing. The tall shelving unit is unfinished, with natural wood grain visible, and is built into a bathroom vanity.

Installing the Roll-Up Door

For my hair tool garage access door, I ordered a tambour (roll-up) door. To install it, I had to temporarily detach the counter cabinet from the wall and work from the back.

Unassembled tambour door kit featuring flexible slatted wood panel, side tracks, dowel rod, and rolling mechanism. The natural wood finish and beige hardware make it ideal for creating a retractable cabinet or appliance garage.

Steps for installation:

  1. Secure the track with a brad nailer.
  2. Use the included small screws to permanently attach it.
  3. Install the rod across the top.
  4. Attach the slatted roll-up door to the rod.

And just like that, I had a functional roll-up door in the side of my counter cabinet for my hair tool garage. So cool, right?!

Close-up of hands using a red Milwaukee drill to secure a wooden support piece inside a custom cabinet. The inside features plastic hardware components, indicating a pull-down or roll-up mechanism.
Woman installing a slatted wooden tambour door into the lower section of a custom-built cabinet. She uses a power drill while guiding the flexible wood slats into the side-mounted hardware track.
Woman adjusting the tambour door hardware inside a custom-built bathroom cabinet. She tightens screws on the plastic side track that allows the slatted door to slide smoothly.

Using Edge Banding

Since plywood edges can look rough (even when painted), I used iron-on edge banding to clean up the cutout opening for the hair tool garage.. This stuff is amazing—just apply it with a regular clothes iron, then trim the excess with a utility knife or an edge banding tool.

Woman using a household iron to apply edge banding to the unfinished plywood cabinet. A roll of wood veneer edge banding sits nearby, along with a tape measure and pliers on the concrete countertop.
Close-up of a woman pressing down edge banding on a plywood cabinet after applying heat. Small wood shavings are scattered on the countertop as she smooths out the edges for a seamless look.

Final Touch: Paint!

Last step? Paint! I went with Accessible Beige—the same color as the shiplap wall, kitchen cabinets, and even my girls’ bunk bed. It’s the perfect neutral—not too gray, not too tan. If you want a pro-level finish, check out my Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Cabinets & Furniture.

Person in a full-body protective suit and respirator using a paint sprayer to coat the custom-built bathroom cabinet. The workspace is covered in plastic sheeting and painter’s tape to protect surfaces.

The Finished Counter Cabinet

And that’s it! The counter cabinet is done, and I love how much storage it adds. The hair tool garage? A total game-changer. Being able to sit at my vanity, roll up the door, and access my hair tools (with an outlet inside!) just makes sense. Plus, my bathroom stays neat and tidy—always a win!

Well-organized bathroom vanity featuring a concrete countertop, white cabinets with brushed gold handles, and a built-in storage tower. A brown leather stool with a black metal frame is tucked neatly under the counter, offering a stylish seating option for this serene and functional space.
Bright and airy bathroom corner with a long concrete vanity, white cabinetry, and a cozy brown leather stool. A round mirror reflects a neutral-toned, modern farmhouse aesthetic, while a framed black-and-white landscape photo on the wall adds a calming touch.
Modern bathroom featuring a white shaker vanity with a concrete countertop, gold faucet hardware, and an oval mirror. A built-in shelf with wooden open storage holds decorative baskets and toiletries. A smart toilet, light gray door, and paneling complete the clean, contemporary design.

Thinking about building your own counter cabinet? Let me know in the comments, or tag me in your DIY projects—I’d love to see what you create!

How do I build a DIY counter cabinet for my bathroom?

To build a counter cabinet, start by constructing a simple wooden frame with fixed shelves, securing it to the wall studs. Add trim for a finished look, and consider incorporating features like a built-in hair tool garage for extra functionality.

How do I install a roll-up (tambour) door in my cabinet?

To install a tambour door, first, secure the track with a brad nailer, then attach the rod and slatted door. You may need to temporarily detach the cabinet from the wall to install it properly.

How can I hide plywood edges on my DIY cabinet?

Iron-on edge banding is an easy way to clean up plywood edges. Simply apply heat with a clothes iron, then trim off excess with a utility knife for a seamless finish.

What’s the best paint for a bathroom cabinet?

Use a durable, moisture-resistant paint like satin or semi-gloss. Accessible Beige is a great neutral that complements most interiors. For a professional finish, use a high-quality primer and sealer.

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