DIY Blog - A Dabbled Dwelling

I Easily Added a DIY Arch to My Bathroom

June 29, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

I am finally remodeling my primary bathroom! This is a super exciting project because I have just been waiting for the chance to do it. I had very big plans for this space including new vanities, classic decor choices, a window to bring some natural light, and best of all, an arched doorway for my shower. Arches can be such a classy and easy element to make any space feel so glam.

A DIY Arch is Easier Than it Seems

I started with demo of the shower and the rest of the bathroom. I took that shower down to the studs. Then I added new framing in the doorway. The framing was built out from the wall a little to provide some shape for the arch. Once the door was framed I searched for the perfect window to add to the shower. Imagine my surprise when I found the perfect window on Facebook Marketplace! My husband and I installed the window and it is so nice having some natural light in the bathroom.

Woman shows off new window by sitting on the sill

I moved on to starting the arch. Using my jigsaw I cut an arch out of particle board and attached it to the framing that I had already installed. This arch was used for the front of the doorway, I added some blocking to it for stability using cut 2x4s. The other side of the doorway was created with an arch I cut out of cement board since it was inside the shower. That was attached to the framing and blocking.

Woman measure cement board for an arch in a shower

Woman installs cement board inside shower

With the skeleton of the arch up I needed to finish it with drywall on the parts that didn’t get cements board. For the front I just cut an arch out of drywall. Then I screwed that into the blocking and 2x4s, then taped and mudded it. On the inside of the arch I used drywall. I added relief cuts to the drywall for the top so that it would bend with the curve of the arch. The cement board and inside of the arch was painted with Red Guard to help make it waterproof. After the Red Guard the inside was plastered using drywall mud.

Not Quite Done, But I’m in Love

I’m still mid renovation on the bathroom, so the shower isn’t quite done. This arch was so easy to create, I love the look it gives the shower and the timeless feel of it. I can’t wait to get the bathroom finished and add a gorgeous glass door to my shower. Follow along to see how the bathroom turns out!

How I Built a DIY Storage Console for My Home Gym

June 28, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

Does anyone else have a catch-all/junk room? My catch-all room was eating away at me, I desperately needed to change it. I decided that I wanted a multi-functional room, a guest room on one side and a home gym on the other. Home gyms notoriously come with a lot of stuff to store. I built an arched peg board for all of the equipment that can hang, but I still needed more storage. So, I decided to build a DIY storage console.

A DIY Storage Console to Store ALL the Stuff

Making a storage console is actually super easy. I used 1×12 poplar from Weaber Lumber and first built, a box. Pocket screws attached from the underside, and wood glue on the ends kept the hardware hidden, leaving a sleek look on the outside of the box. I again used pocket screws and wood glue to build and attach a middle support and shelves. Since I wanted a thicker counter-like surface on top I cut a 1×12 to the same size as the top and attached it with wood glue and finishing nails. I ripped the poplar down to 1 inch strips and cut mitered ends to create a frame for the counter top and the fronts of the shelves and attached them with finishing nails and glue. These strips give the whole thing a more finished and subsantial look.

Woman is putting a second sheet of poplar on top of storage console

Woman uses table saw to rip polar board down

A strip is being attached to the front edges of a console

I attached these feet and gave everything a pre-stain sand. When sanding I like to start with a coarser grit and finish it with a finer grit to get the best finish possible. After sanding the shelf was stained with Varathane Premium Fast Dry Stain in Sunbleached followed by Western Oak. Then it got a coat of Varathane’s Polyurethane sealer. For the top of the console I wanted a durable, counter like finish. To achieve that I used Rustoleum’s Counter Top Coating in Black.

a woman is applying stain to a storage console

a woman is applying the counter top coating to the top of a storage console

Super Cute Gym Storage

I moved the console upstairs and placed it against the wall. Then I set the peg board I made on top. The two pieces together are a unique and super attractive storage solution. I love the way this console turned out. It holds all of my gym equipment and it looks great while doing so!

DIY storage console and peg board for home gym storage

How to DIY a Home Gym Storage Peg Board

June 25, 2024 by kelsey.mackall

There is a room in my upstairs hall that until now has been ignored. I have sort of just been throwing extra decor and home goods in there and shutting the door. Out of sight out of mind… Finally, I decided that it was time to give that room a purpose. I’ve been in the market to start working out, but I really don’t want to pay for a gym membership. So, I figured, why not make that room a home gym? One thing about home gyms is that they require a lot of stuff! I wanted to create storage that stood out and was different. For all of the bands, jump ropes, and other strappy things I wanted to DIY a home gym storage peg board.

DIY A Storage Peg Board

I started with 3/4 plywood and cut it into an arch using my jigsaw. Next I used my 1 inch drill bit to drill holes in a grid pattern. I cut 1 inch dowels to size for the pegs, and thensanded everything including the inside edges of the holes and the pegs. Once it was all sanded I used Varathane Premium Fast Dry Wood Stain in Sunbleached followed by Western Oak. It was all sealed using Varathane’s Polyurethane coating and I gave the edges a more finished look using iron on edge banding. Then I moved it all upstairs and loaded it up. Easy peasy.

A drill is being used to create 1 inch holes in plywood.

Sanding block is used to sand arch with one inch holes

An arch with one inch holes is being sealed with polyurethane

Woman uses iron to apply edge banding to plywood arch

It’s a Great Storage Solution

This was seriously an easy and adorable storage project. It came together quickly and is super versatile and adjustable. The DIY peg board is the perfect addition to my home gym. It holds all of the necessary equipment and looks great doing it!