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How to Make the Back of a Toilet Storage Cabinet

Over-the-toilet cabinets are convenient places to store extra toilet paper, towels, magazines and other items. But if the back is missing from the cabinet, thin items could fall out the backside. You can replace the toilet cabinet back with a piece of plywood. If the toilet cabinet has glass doors or no doors, take the time to decorate the cabinet back so it will match the rest of the unit or look nice on its own.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • 1/4 inch plywood
  • Pencil
  • Sawhorses
  • Clamps
  • Safety goggles
  • Circular saw
  • Vacuum with extension hose or damp cloth
  • Wood glue
  • 6d nails
  • Hammer
  • Paint, stain or contact paper
  • Paint brush or cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Empty the contents from the toilet storage cabinet. Then place the cabinet on a flat work surface. If the cabinet is connected to hooks on the wall, lift the cabinet up to disconnect the hook, then pull it off. If screwed into the wall, loosen the screws with a Phillips screwdriver.

    • 2

      Find the length and width of the back of the cabinet with a tape measure.

    • 3

      Create an outline that is the same length and width as the back of the cabinet on a 1/4-inch thick piece of plywood.

    • 4

      Place the plywood flat between two saw horses; use clamps to hold it in place.

    • 5

      Put on safety goggles. Line the blade of a circular saw with the outline, and use medium pressure to guide the blade along the line to cut the board to the required length and width.

    • 6

      Smooth the edges and surface of the plywood with medium-grit sandpaper.

    • 7

      Vacuum all leftover debris from the sandpaper from the board using an extension hose, or wipe the board with a damp cloth.

    • 8

      Decorate the front of the plywood. Stain or paint the plywood, either the same color as the toilet cabinet or an accent color. As an alternative to stain or paint, smooth decorative contact paper over the front of the plywood.

    • 9

      Bead wood glue around the front perimeter of the plywood. Then press the plywood up against the back of the cabinet.

    • 10

      Secure the plywood to the back of the cabinet with nails. Hammer one 6d nail every five inches along the perimeter of the plywood to attach it to the cabinet's perimeter.