DIY Shallow Shelf Above the Tub — Driftwood-Look Mantel

I fell in love with KariAnne’s shelf above her tub the first time I saw it, and I finally decided to add something similar over our bathtub. For years the space above our tub held a lonely framed picture with shells, which just didn’t feel finished.

The plan was always to install a shelf that would be both attractive and useful. I imagined baskets on the shelf to store towels and extra toilet paper—just like KariAnne’s—but once we measured the space, it became clear a deep shelf would be impractical. If the shelf sat too far out, someone leaning into the tub might bump their head on baskets or items placed there.

To avoid a bulky, obstructive shelf, we chose a shallow option that reads more like a faux mantel—wide and decorative but not deep. I used a 5-inch-wide board that spanned the length of the wall, painted it with homemade white chalk paint, then washed it with soft grays, blues, and tans to achieve a driftwood-like appearance. To create a small ledge, I glued a piece of trim to the front edge.

The house tends to jostle when the front door slams, so I wanted the shelf to be secure and items not to slide off every time someone left the house. I followed a trick I found on another blog and used small corner brackets to hang the shelf flush against the wall. The brackets are discreet but hold the shelf firmly in place.

Underneath the faux mantel I added two decorative floating shelves, painted to match the driftwood finish. Because the shelf fits closely to the wall, I used only two brackets; if heavier items are planned, adding more brackets or reinforcing the supports is a good idea for safety and longevity.

Once the shelf was installed, I staged it with items I already had while collecting more ideas for the final styling. A simple “Be Still” sign, a few jars, and a couple of small decorative objects were enough to transform the space and make the bathtub wall feel intentional and cozy.

With this project complete, we crossed another item off our bathroom renovation list. The small, shallow mantel provides character without crowding the tub area, and the matching lower shelves add functionality and balance to the wall.

If you’re interested in the rest of our bathroom renovation journey, here are the earlier posts that cover the steps we completed leading up to this shelf installation:

How to Paint Barker Board

The New Paint Color

The Unexpected Twists and Turns of Renovating

The New Vanity

Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe and a Painted Old Window

How to Hang Heavy Objects on a Wall

Linking to: The Creative Collection at Classy Clutter