If you're lucky enough to have large bathrooms or closets in your bathrooms, storage might not be a problem. What happens if you have a tiny space, though? The following bathroom design tips and DIY projects can help you if you don't want to spend a lot of money or don't have much space for storage in your bathroom.
Reclaim Lost Space
In a small bathroom, you need to make use of every inch of space you have. Where can you go if you have no floor space? The same place cities go when there is no more real estate - up! Your shower may take up some space at the top of your walls, but otherwise, you probably have some room for shelves.
One of the best places to add space above the items already in your bathroom is above the toilet. You can actually purchase shelving that sits on the floor and fits over the toilet, but if you want to save some money, you can also create your own shelves. The most basic shelves are simply a board with two triangles to act as supports and attach the shelf to the wall. You can also create shadow boxes to serve as shelves if you just need to store smaller items. Even if you aren't an experienced woodworker, you can add DIY shelves by finding some rectangle baskets and turning them on their sides.
Also, if you aren't using a medicine cabinet as a mirror, you're definitely wasting space. Look for the deepest model possible, and make sure that the top is closed off so you can store items like cleaning products on top of the medicine cabinet as well.
Finding Space on the Door
If you have a small closet, you would make use of your closet door - why not do the same in the bathroom? First, consider this location for the towel rack or hook, which can free up a lot of wall space. If your towel rack is on the back of your door, you might have room on the wall for some kinds of storage furniture.
If for whatever reason that won't work, think about an innovative storage solution, like using a door shoe rack. You can find large cloth and plastic shoe storage systems that hang over the door. Just because they're made for shoes doesn't mean that you have to use them for shoes. You can use them to store washcloths, hand towels, extra toiletry supplies, cleaners, and more. It isn't the prettiest solution, but it is really functional.
Hallway Storage
There are no rules that say your bathroom storage has to actually be in your bathroom. Most people don't consider furniture in the hallway, but keep in mind that a shallow cabinet or even some shelves might work well unless you have a very narrow hallway. When storing bathroom items in the hallway, make sure that you choose storage where you can hide the items - no one wants to see stacks of toilet paper as they walk to their bedroom every night. Hallway storage is a great DIY project, since you can build a piece to fit in your space if you do the work yourself. Not a pro with construction? Don't worry - you can still find storage pieces at really inexpensive prices. Check out second-hand stores and yard sales for a wardrobe-like piece that could work for your hallway with just a new coat of paint or stain.
If your hallway just isn't big enough, consider a storage piece in the bedroom closest to the bathroom in question. It isn't the optimal solution, but if you have a piece of furniture devoted specifically to bathroom items, you'll have a more cohesive design overall. It's a much better solution than storing cleaning products in one place, towels in another, and supplies in a third location.
Replace the Pedestal Sink
Pedestal sinks may look great, but they definitely aren't good if you have storage space issues. Instead, look for a sink that comes with a cabinet. For the most space, think about a non-traditional bowl design for the sink, which sits on top of a cabinet, instead of one that is sunk into the cabinet. Of course, you'll have to contend with pipes, but when every inch counts, the cabinet under the sink can be great for storing your cleaning products or extra supplies.
If you must keep your pedestal sink, you can still make use of the floor under it for storage. Find some large baskets that you can fill with towels, extra toilet paper, or other things you need in the bathroom. You can even use some ribbons or paint the baskets to bring some color into your small space without it being too overwhelming.
Having a small bathroom definitely leads to storage problems. Even without major renovations, though, you can find solutions that work well with the space you do have, giving you enough room for all of the items you need in your bathroom.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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