No Basket Fit These Bathroom Shelves, So She Built One From Wire Fencing
Custom storage baskets can cost more than the shelves they sit on. After installing floating shelves above her toilet, Brittney Smart needed a way to store extra towels, but none of the baskets she found fit the space correctly.
Instead of settling for a basket that was too small or too large, she built one from wire fencing. The project turned a basic construction material into a custom towel basket sized specifically for the shelves and the storage she needed.
The Basket Was Sized Specifically for the Shelf
Rather than adapting the shelf to a store-bought basket, Brittney measured the available space and built the basket around it.
Using welded wire fencing allowed her to customize the width, depth, and height while maximizing storage for folded towels. The finished basket uses nearly the entire shelf instead of leaving unused space around the edges.
Thirty-Inch Panel Created the Basket Body
The fencing was measured and cut into a 30-inch by 24-inch section. Once folded, the width created the front, bottom, and back of the basket, while the height provided enough depth to hold several folded towels.
Starting with a single panel reduced the number of joints required and simplified the overall construction process.
Scrap Board Helped Form Straight Bends
A scrap wood board acted as a bending guide during assembly. Pressing the wire against a straight edge produced cleaner corners and helped maintain uniform dimensions across the basket.
Without a guide, small variations in the bends would have created uneven sides and a less structured appearance.
Shape Took Form One Bend at a Time
As each side was folded, the flat panel began taking on the dimensions of the finished basket. Measurements were checked throughout the process to ensure the width and depth remained consistent from one end to the other.
The wire mesh construction also made adjustments possible before the final connections were secured.
Corner Wires Secured the Structure
The exposed wire ends were wrapped around adjoining sections to secure the corners. These simple connections transformed the flexible panel into a rigid storage basket capable of supporting folded towels.
The fastening method also preserved the industrial appearance of the wire mesh rather than hiding the construction details.
These connections locked the corners together and transformed the flexible panel into a rigid storage basket.
Folded Towels Filled the Finished Basket
Once assembled, the basket was ready for use.
The open wire design keeps towels visible while preventing them from sliding across the shelf.
Basket Added Storage Without Taking Up Floor Space
The completed basket moved onto the upper floating shelf above the toilet.
Its custom dimensions allowed it to fit the available space far better than most store-bought alternatives.
Wire Basket Introduced an Industrial Accent
The exposed wire grid adds a material that doesn’t appear elsewhere in the bathroom. Against the painted floating shelves, woven baskets, and folded towels, the metal structure creates contrast without becoming the focal point.
Because the basket was built from fencing instead of decorative wire storage, it retains a utilitarian appearance that fits the DIY nature of the project. The open construction also keeps the contents visible, making it easy to grab extra towels when needed.
Finished Display Combines Storage and Decor
Once placed on the upper shelf, the custom basket turned a simple storage solution into part of the overall display. Folded towels fill the wire container while woven baskets, framed artwork, and decorative accessories occupy the remaining shelf space.
What started as an empty wall above the toilet now provides room for everyday essentials without requiring additional cabinets or floor-standing furniture. The basket also demonstrates how a custom-sized storage piece can make floating shelves work harder than standard off-the-shelf organizers.
Why This DIY Storage Idea Works
Many bathroom storage projects focus on adding more shelves or larger cabinets. This project focuses on making better use of storage that already exists. By creating a basket sized specifically for the floating shelves, every inch of shelf space becomes more functional.
The wire construction keeps costs low, and the dimensions can be adjusted for different shelf sizes. One detail worth noting is that wire fencing is intended for outdoor and construction use, not home storage. Before bringing it indoors, clean the wire thoroughly to remove dirt, manufacturing residue, oils, or galvanized coating dust that may remain on the surface.
Once cleaned, the basket provides a custom storage solution that fits the shelf dimensions far better than most store-bought alternatives. The result is extra towel storage, better organization, and a project built around the exact space available rather than the sizes found in a store.
Would you build a custom storage basket to fit your shelves, or would you rather search for ready-made baskets that come close to the right size?