Bathrooms, although typically some of the smallest rooms in a home, inevitably become the storage space for so many items – from toiletries to towels and much more. Organizing these necessities in a functional and aesthetically pleasing way can pose quite a challenge, especially when dealing with small spaces. This challenge becomes more pronounced in cities like Seattle, where the average house size is 1,460 square feet, a dimension notably smaller than the national average. Given these constraints, we need to find creative ways to maximize space.
This article will explore seven clever ways to optimize storage in your bathroom. These tips will help you make the most of your bathroom space, from utilizing wall space to converting unused areas into storage.
1. Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Invest in a walk-in shower in a small bathroom, as this creates an accessible, open shower area and can even allow for a larger vanity or more floor space. Start by examining the plumbing and drain location to plan your new shower layout. Choose between a basic shower pan or a custom tiled base. Install backing for shower walls and waterproof thoroughly. Select stylish new tiles, shower fixtures, and accessories to match your bathroom aesthetic.
Before starting this project, it’s advisable to look up different companies offering Seattle tub-to-shower conversions to find the best price and material options. This can be a big project, so you need to pick the right contractors to ensure its success.
2. Wall-Mounted Cabinetry
Installing wall-mounted cabinets, shelves, or cubbies is one of the simplest ways to add storage without taking up any floor space. Floating cabinets provide concealed storage for extra toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and other bathroom essentials. Opt for cabinetry that extends to the ceiling to maximize vertical space. Glass-front cabinets also help maintain an airy, open feel.
Consider installing shallow cabinets above the toilet or on another empty wall space. These can hold spare rolls of toilet paper, boxes of tissues, and other small necessities. Choose wall cabinets with vertically open doors rather than outward for a sleek, modern look. This saves space and creates a streamlined appearance. Wall-mounted corner shelves are also great for holding toiletries or decorative items.
3. Creative Shelving
Get creative with your shelving to use every bit of potential storage space. The unused wall area above the toilet is a prime spot for open shelving or cabinetry. You can also install shelves inside the shower enclosure for shampoo, soap, and other necessities.
Consider unconventional shelving ideas like repurposing a wall-mounted coat rack installed horizontally to hold rolled washcloths or hand towels. Or install an iron rod below the ceiling to hang plastic shower caddies. This creates vertical storage without taking up floor space.
For a rustic element, use salvaged wood planks to create open shelving along one wall. The key is looking at your bathroom layout to identify unused areas that could accommodate creative shelving solutions.
4. Under-Sink Organizers
Maximize the storage under your bathroom sink with slide-out trays or tiered pull-out organizers. These allow you to neatly arrange toiletries and cleaning supplies so they are easily accessible. Suspended organizers that hang from the underside of the sink are another space-saving option. Strategic organizers prevent a jumbled mess under the sink.
Look for under-sink organizers with adjustable dividers so you can customize the compartment sizes to fit your products. Bins on wheels make items easy to access at the back. If you have a double sink, consider installing pull-out drawer organizers. These maximize every inch of space under both sinks and prevent having to reach the back. Labeling bins and baskets helps keep everyone’s items organized.
6. Bathroom Bench Storage
A bathroom bench provides a place to sit when getting ready, doubling as discreet storage. Look for a bench with lift-up seat storage and drawers or cubbies to stash extra towels, toilet paper, and other bathroom essentials. A bench is also handy for providing a place to fold laundry in a bathroom with hidden laundry machines.
For a smaller bathroom, consider a corner bench that takes advantage of unused space. Storage benches come in many styles, so look for one that matches your decor – from traditional wood to sleek upholstered. Some even have removable lids or slide-out drawers to maximize storage capacity. A bench can hold anything from hair tools to first aid supplies.
7. Medicine Cabinet Organization
Medicine cabinets tend to become disorganized catchalls, with bottles and boxes crammed onto shelves. Take time to sort through and purge any old products. Then, use tiered shelves to organize and separate toiletries neatly. This will make your medicine cabinet function more efficiently.
If your medicine cabinet is crowded, look for ways to expand storage, like adding shallow wall cabinets or shelving next to it. Consider installing extra mirrors on the wall with storage behind or medicine cabinets with built-in lighting. This expands your storage footprint. Organize medicine cabinets with household members in mind – giving each person a shelf with bins or baskets to hold their items.
8. Extra Towel Storage
The space under a bathroom vanity or cabinet is ideal for stashing extra towels, washcloths, and hand towels. Use fabric bins on rollers to neatly corral them. Labeled bins allow you to separate by type or user. This keeps extra linens organized, within easy reach, and out of sight.
If your bathroom is tight on space, get creative about where to store extra towels. Box-style wall cabinets with openings on the side are great above toilets. A narrow console table behind the door can hold folded towels. Alternatively, install hooks on the back of the door for hanging towels. For a super-compact option, space-saving vacuum storage bags compress towels to take up minimal room.
Conclusion
There are many innovative ways to carve out storage space, even in the smallest bathroom. Getting creative with cabinetry, shelving, organizers, and multi-functional furniture can help maximize every square inch. Implementing these clever storage solutions can help keep your bathroom tidy and organized.
