Bathrooms are notorious for having insufficient storage. Even large bathrooms can feel cluttered if the right storage solutions aren't utilized. Smaller bathrooms are especially difficult to keep orderly so today we'll look at some decorative and useful storage solutions.
The Kohler vanities pictured here are a good start to solving your storage problems. The clever use of the space beneath the sink offers hidden storage and organization of everyday items. Gone are the days of having a vanity with two doors and an open space in which to dump anything and everything. Today's bathroom vanities provide convenient and usable storage homeowners need. The drawers are thoughtfully laid out to house everything from a large blow-dryer to toilet tissue in a convenient, stylish manner.
If you don't want to replace your current vanity you can try to find storage units that will mount inside or add storage shelves to make better use of the space. It can be difficult to work around the plumbing inside the vanity but there are after-market units made specifically for this scenario.
If you have a pedestal sink you probably miss the storage a traditional sink with vanity would offer. You can purchase after-market wire storage units that fit under the sink that will house smaller items. While it does detract from the look of the pedestal sink, it will work in a pinch. You could also attach a decorative curtain that hangs to the floor to the under-rim of a pedestal sink. You can store unsightly items like a plunger, toilet brush, toilet tissue, etc., behind the decorative curtain.
There are numerous storage cabinet sets that can be purchased and installed fairly simply that offer storage and style to the bathroom. From storage towers that sit over the toilet to wall-mounted medicine cabinets that offer storage space, your bathroom could definitely be transformed into a beautiful, organized space.
The space behind the bathroom door can be a great place for hanging towels and robes using simple, over-the-door hooks and hangers. Install an additional towel bar on the back of the door to hang towels or small bags of toiletries. A complete over-the-door storage bag or organizer unit, while slim, can hold lots of items from bottles of shampoo to tubes of toothpaste, which is for the most part hidden away.
Install a decorative wooden or wire shelf over the door frame inside the bathroom to showcase decorative items, like vintage bathroom accessories, which might otherwise take up valuable counter space.
Consider using unique items for bathroom storage. A three-tier hanging wire basket in the right colour, normally used for vegetables in the kitchen, could be fun to house bath scrunchies, face cloths and bars of soap. Items that take up valuable counter space, like a toothbrush/toothpaste holder, can be replaced with a suction cup unit that hangs from the bathroom mirror or a wall unit, both of which will free up counter space.
Go vertical
When floor space is tight in any room you can utilize vertical space to store and display. In the bathroom, a vertical decorative ladder leaning against a wall can hold numerous towels and face cloths but will take up minimal floor space. Something as simple as a vertical toilet paper caddy versus, say, a large basket sitting on the floor to hold toilet tissue can make the bathroom feel less cluttered.
Use wall space to the max. Install shelves that meet your display and storage needs. Floating shelves or cube shelves can be both decorative and useful in a tiny bathroom. Consider installing or adding a pantry-styled unit, which is slim so as to not take up much floor space, but wide and tall to house lots of bathroom items. Choose a unit with sliding or bifold doors (or even a decorative curtain or no doors at all) because a traditional pantry may be in the way when open.
Use corners to your advantage by installing corner shelves or shelving units. Add storage space to the shower or bath area by adding storage accessories that hang from the shower curtain rod or shower head. Consider installing corner shelves, made for the shower area, around the shower or tub to hold hair products, soaps and bath accessories. Depending upon your needs, you can purchase items designed for permanent installation or items that use suction cups, which could easily be removed or moved to clean behind them.
If you can, recess bathroom items into the wall either when building or renovating. Something as simple as recessing the toilet tissue holder can free up space in a small space. Another idea would be to install an art niche, normally reserved for other rooms in the home. The right niche, fitted with shelves, could be a great storage and display area for the bathroom and will take up no space at all.
Make the space appear larger by adding more mirrors, updating dim and dated light fixtures and slapping on a fresh coat of paint. New linens, floor mats and shower curtains can also give your little bathroom a fresh look. Keep your biffy spiffy by keeping it organized and updated.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
