9 Genius Ways to Decorate the Space Above Your Toilet

The space above your toilet in a Zone 5 bathroom is often underutilized, yet it offers a perfect canvas for adding style, storage, and personality to a small area. These decorating ideas align with your passion for sustainable, budget-conscious, and elegant designs, inspired by gardening (lettuce, lavender, zinnias, dahlias, roses, vegetables). Using reclaimed materials, natural textures, and garden-inspired elements, these projects are tailored for Zone 5’s indoor humidity and temperature fluctuations, ensuring durability and charm. Each idea is beginner-friendly, maximizing functionality and aesthetics to create a serene, joyful bathroom.

This article presents 9 genius decorating ideas for the space above your toilet, with step-by-step instructions, material lists, and care tips, blending practicality with your love for gardening.

Lavender Floating Shelf with Herb Pots

A rustic floating shelf with potted herbs like lavender organizes toiletries and adds a garden-inspired touch to a Zone 5 bathroom.

• Materials: 1 reclaimed pine plank (6×18 inches, $5), wood stain ($4), 2 L-brackets ($3 each), wall anchors (50-lb, $5), screws, clear sealant, 2 small pots ($2 each).
• Tools: Drill, level, sandpaper, paintbrush.
• Steps:
  1. Sand plank lightly; apply wood stain; seal with clear coat for humidity resistance.
  2. Attach two L-brackets to the back, 12 inches apart.
  3. Mount brackets to wall studs, 36 inches above the toilet, ensuring level.
  4. Secure plank; test with a 10-lb weight.
  5. Place potted lavender (‘Hidcote’) or cat-safe herbs in pots with drainage trays.
• Care Tips: Dust shelf monthly; water herbs sparingly; avoid water splashes.
• Zone 5 Tip: Position away from shower to prevent wood warping in humid conditions.
• Dimensions: 6×18 inches, 1 inch thick.

Pro Decor Tip: Tie a twine bow around pots for a rustic accent.
Budget Consideration: Source reclaimed wood from local salvage; total cost $15-20.

Zinnia Wall Art Gallery

A trio of small zinnia-inspired art prints in vibrant colors creates a cheerful focal point above the toilet in a Zone 5 bathroom.

• Materials: 3 digital zinnia prints (8×10 inches, $5 each on Etsy), 3 wooden frames ($5 each), matte photo paper ($5), wall hooks ($3), printer or print shop ($5-10).
• Tools: Level, hammer, measuring tape.
• Steps:
  1. Select high-resolution zinnia illustrations in red, yellow, and pink.
  2. Print on matte paper for a soft look; frame in reclaimed or distressed wood.
  3. Measure and mark a triangular layout above the toilet, starting 30 inches from the tank.
  4. Hang frames with hooks, ensuring level alignment.
  5. Test stability by gently tapping frames.
• Care Tips: Dust frames gently; avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading.
• Zone 5 Tip: Use UV-resistant paper to maintain colors in winter light.
• Dimensions: Each frame 8×10 inches; total width ~24 inches.

Pro Decor Tip: Mix frame finishes (e.g., natural wood, white) for eclectic charm.
Budget Consideration: Use free stock images and thrift store frames; total cost $15-25.

Dahlia Woven Basket Wall Display

A set of woven baskets arranged in a pattern, inspired by dahlia petals, stores towels and adds rustic texture above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 3 small woven baskets (6-8 inches, $3 each), wall hooks ($3), screws, wall anchors (30-lb, $3), twine ($2).
• Tools: Drill, level, screwdriver.
• Steps:
  1. Select flat-backed baskets for easy wall mounting.
  2. Tie twine around basket rims for a dahlia-like accent.
  3. Mark a circular or vertical layout above the toilet, starting 32 inches from the tank.
  4. Attach hooks to wall studs with anchors; hang baskets securely.
  5. Fill with rolled hand towels or small toiletries; test stability.
• Care Tips: Dust baskets monthly; spot-clean with a dry cloth.
• Zone 5 Tip: Use moisture-resistant baskets to handle bathroom humidity.
• Dimensions: Total display ~18×18 inches.

Pro Decor Tip: Add a small dried dahlia (‘Gallery Art Deco’) in one basket for flair.
Budget Consideration: Source baskets from thrift stores; total cost $10-15.

Rose Trellis Mirror with Shelf

A small mirror with a trellis-inspired frame and a narrow shelf, evoking climbing roses, adds elegance and storage above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 1 round mirror (12 inches, $8), 1×4-inch pine strips (2 feet, $3), wood stain ($4), small pine shelf (4×12 inches, $4), 2 L-brackets ($3 each), wall anchors (50-lb, $5), screws, hot glue.
• Tools: Drill, level, saw, sandpaper, paintbrush.
• Steps:
  1. Cut pine strips into 6-inch pieces; stain and glue in a crisscross trellis pattern around mirror edges.
  2. Sand and stain shelf; attach to mirror base with glue and screws.
  3. Attach two L-brackets to the back of the mirror-shelf unit.
  4. Mount brackets to wall studs, 34 inches above the toilet; secure unit.
  5. Place small toiletries or a rose-scented sachet (cat-safe) on the shelf.
• Care Tips: Clean mirror with glass cleaner; dust shelf regularly.
• Zone 5 Tip: Ensure ventilation to prevent wood swelling in humid bathrooms.
• Dimensions: Mirror 12 inches; shelf 4×12 inches.

Pro Decor Tip: Paint trellis strips soft pink to mimic rose hues.
Budget Consideration: Use scrap wood; total cost $15-25.

Lettuce Leaf Rope Organizer

A rope-wrapped board with hooks, inspired by lettuce’s leafy texture, organizes towels or toiletries with rustic functionality above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 1 pine plank (6×18 inches, $5), jute rope ($3), 3 hooks ($2 each), wood stain ($4), wall anchors (50-lb, $5), screws, hot glue.
• Tools: Drill, level, sandpaper, hot glue gun.
• Steps:
  1. Sand plank; apply wood stain; let dry.
  2. Glue rope in wavy patterns across the plank to mimic lettuce veins; secure ends.
  3. Screw three hooks along the bottom edge, 5 inches apart.
  4. Attach two L-brackets to the back; mount to wall studs at 36 inches.
  5. Hang towels or small baskets; test with a 10-lb weight.
• Care Tips: Dust rope gently; avoid water contact to prevent mold.
• Zone 5 Tip: Use humidity-resistant rope for bathroom conditions.
• Dimensions: 6×18 inches, 1 inch thick.

Pro Decor Tip: Add a small lettuce-shaped trinket for whimsy.
Budget Consideration: Use leftover rope; total cost $15-20.

Vegetable Crate Storage Shelf

A halved wooden crate shelf, inspired by vegetable harvest crates, stores toiletries or plants, adding rustic charm above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 1 wooden crate (12×12 inches, $5), saw, sandpaper, clear sealant ($5), 2 L-brackets ($3 each), wall anchors (50-lb, $5), screws, 2 small pots ($2 each).
• Tools: Drill, level, paintbrush.
• Steps:
  1. Cut crate in half lengthwise (6×12 inches); sand edges; apply sealant for humidity resistance.
  2. Attach two L-brackets to the back of the half-crate.
  3. Mount brackets to wall studs, 34 inches above the toilet; secure crate.
  4. Test with a 10-lb weight.
  5. Place potted cat-safe plants (e.g., spider plant) or toiletries in pots.
• Care Tips: Clean with a damp cloth; water plants sparingly.
• Zone 5 Tip: Position in a low-humidity area to protect wood.
• Dimensions: 6×12 inches, 6 inches deep.

Pro Decor Tip: Paint crate slats green to evoke vegetable fields.
Budget Consideration: Source free crates from local markets; total cost $15-20.

Fairy Garden Wall Planter

A small wall-mounted planter box with mini plants, inspired by fairy gardens, adds whimsical greenery above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 1 wooden planter box (8×12 inches, $6), pastel paint ($4), 2 wall hooks ($3), wall anchors (30-lb, $3), moss ($3), 2 mini pots ($2 each).
• Tools: Drill, level, paintbrush.
• Steps:
  1. Paint planter box in pastel shades (e.g., mint); let dry.
  2. Attach two hooks to the back with screws.
  3. Mount hooks to wall studs, 32 inches above the toilet; hang planter.
  4. Place mini pots with cat-safe plants (e.g., pothos) and scatter moss.
  5. Test stability with a 5-lb weight.
• Care Tips: Mist plants weekly; dust moss lightly.
• Zone 5 Tip: Use low-light plants for winter bathroom conditions.
• Dimensions: 8×12 inches, 4 inches deep.

Pro Decor Tip: Add a tiny fairy figurine for playful charm.
Budget Consideration: Repurpose a small box; total cost $15-20.

Rustic Pipe Toilet Paper Shelf

A reclaimed wood shelf with industrial pipe brackets stores toilet paper rolls, blending rustic and modern vibes above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 1 reclaimed plank (6×18 inches, $5), 2 pipe brackets (1/2-inch, $5 each), wall anchors (50-lb, $5), screws, clear sealant.
• Tools: Drill, level, sandpaper, paintbrush.
• Steps:
  1. Sand plank; apply clear sealant for humidity resistance.
  2. Attach pipe brackets to the back, 12 inches apart.
  3. Mount brackets to wall studs, 34 inches above the toilet; secure plank.
  4. Test with a 10-lb weight; stack 2-3 toilet paper rolls or add a small jar.
  5. Ensure pipes are rust-resistant.
• Care Tips: Dust monthly; tighten fittings if loose.
• Zone 5 Tip: Place away from shower to prevent pipe corrosion.
• Dimensions: 6×18 inches, 1 inch thick.

Pro Decor Tip: Paint pipes matte black for a sleek look.
Budget Consideration: Use scrap wood; total cost $15-20.

Vintage Seed Packet Collage

A collage of vintage vegetable seed packet prints (e.g., lettuce, carrots) adds nostalgic, garden-inspired charm above a Zone 5 toilet.

• Materials: 4 digital seed packet images ($5 total on Etsy), matte cardstock ($5), 12×16-inch frame ($10), wall hook ($3), printer or print shop ($5-10).
• Tools: Level, hammer, scissors.
• Steps:
  1. Source or design seed packet images for lettuce and carrots in retro style.
  2. Print on cardstock; trim to 5×7 inches each.
  3. Arrange in a grid within the frame; secure with tape or adhesive.
  4. Hang frame with a hook on a wall stud, 32 inches above the toilet.
  5. Ensure level placement; test stability.
• Care Tips: Dust frame; avoid direct light to preserve colors.
• Zone 5 Tip: Use archival paper to resist fading in humid bathrooms.
• Dimensions: 12×16 inches (framed).

Pro Decor Tip: Use a burlap mat for rustic texture.
Budget Consideration: Design your own prints in Canva; total cost $15-20.

Conclusion

These 9 genius decorating ideas—lavender shelf, zinnia gallery, dahlia baskets, rose mirror, lettuce rope, vegetable crate, fairy planter, pipe shelf, and seed packet collage—transform the space above your Zone 5 toilet into a stylish, functional area. Reflecting your love for lettuce, lavender, zinnias, dahlias, roses, and vegetables, these sustainable, budget-conscious projects use reclaimed materials and garden-inspired elements to store essentials or add visual charm. Beginner-friendly and humidity-resistant, they maximize small bathroom spaces, creating a serene, joyful atmosphere.

Customize these ideas with local materials or personal touches to suit your style. Whether displaying herbs or vintage prints, these decorations will elevate your Zone 5 bathroom with elegance and practicality. Happy decorating and gardening!