Scrap wood bath caddy From time to time, it can be wonderful to relax in a bathtub, with scented candles and perhaps a glass of good wine. Some enjoy the embrace of warm or hot water; others like to relax while reading a book or listening to music. To make your bath even more enjoyable, we have a suggestion for how to create a caddy from scrap wood, to install over your bathtub and use to hold your book, soap, candles, snacks, or drink. Just seeing a bathtub can be enough to make you want to jump in and relax. Numerous films show how just a few scented candles, soapy bubbles and warm water can create a lovely atmosphere. But the reality can often a bit more challenging, as we search for a place to put the candles, book, glass and soap without them falling in, and experiencing the very opposite of relaxation… If you are short on space around your bath, we suggest making a caddy to place over it and use to hold the things you need for a wonderfully relaxing time. What do you need to make a caddy out of scrap wood? A longer wooden board made of recycled wood Measuring tape Abrasive paper Wood screws Pencil Electric drill Saw Brush Belinka Interier wood stain You can find scrap wood in local warehouses, scrap yards, hardware stores, online or in your local area. Before making your scrap wood caddy, measure the width of your bathtub. This will help determine the length of the wooden board. It should be long enough to place it over the edges of your bathtub without it falling in. A longer board will also allow the entire caddy to be made from a single piece of scrap wood. And it will ensure a lovely, consistent look. First, clean your chosen scrap wood board well and prepare it for further processing. Wipe off any dust and sand off any imperfections with abrasive paper. Then measure how wide you want the caddy to be. If you are left with surplus wood, you can use it to make slats. These will fix the caddy tightly to the sides of the tub so that it does not fall in. Use a saw to make cuts along each shorter end of the scrap wood and measure against the width of your bathtub – this will later serve as a guide for moving the caddy along the tub. Hold the slats in place under the board, right next to the side of the tub, and use a pencil to mark where you will attach them to the board. To make subsequent work easier, we suggest marking the sides corresponding to each slat on the board (for example with the numbers 1 and 2). Drill two holes in each slat, and on the board mark exactly where you will place the slat. Then insert the screws into the slat and fasten them to the board. If you spot any splinters on the board, sand the surface again with abrasive paper. Once the caddy is assembled, you can start with its protection. Apply Belinka Interier wood stain using a brush in your chosen shade, to protect the wood from humidity. You can choose between 11 basic colour shades and a natural translucent (colourless) shade. For the first layer, dilute Interier with water (up to 10%), as this makes it easier to apply. During working and drying, the temperature of the substrate, paint and surroundings should be above 10°C, and never below 5°C. Relative humidity should be below 80%. Coat the board along the length of the wood fibres. Two coats are sufficient for protection. To achieve a fuller look, a third coat in the same shade or the colourless shade (Interior 61 – naturally translucent) can be applied. For a glossier surface appearance, use Belinka Interier varnish as the final coating. For a less intense shade, you can mix coloured Interier with the colourless shade. Belinka Interier wood stain is produced in 11 basic shades and naturally translucent (colourless). Some points of sale offer 70 additional shades according to the Belinka mix colour chart. Colour charts are made on selected and quality treated spruce wood. Because wood is a natural material, deviation of shades may occur on wood of different quality. To avoid unexpected deviation, we always recommend testing the shade first on a smaller sample of wood. The shade on the wood also depends on the wood’s previous treatment and the number of coats. The colour is more pronounced on a rougher, less sanded wood surface than on a smooth one. Multiple coatings will achieve a stronger, fuller colour. You can mix individual shades as you like, thus expanding the colour chart. Beautiful pastel shades are obtained by combining basic shades with Interier 73 – creamy white. Test the colour mixtures on a board that has been treated in the same way as your chosen wood. Wait for the coating to dry completely before using your scrap wood caddy. The coating will be dry after a few hours, but we recommend using the caddy after 3 days to allow the coating to harden slightly. Then place the caddy on your bathtub, create a relaxing atmosphere and indulge in the restorative effects of a warm bubble bath.
