Maximizing Your Available Space
In a bathroom, square footage isn’t nearly as important as storage space. A small bathroom with strategic storage can be just as functional as a large one. There are a million and one creative storage solutions you can apply in your bathroom without having to spend thousands of dollars on renovations.
Below are some of the best:
- Install pull-out drawers in your vanity or built-in cupboards to make the most of hard-to-reach spaces.
- Use coat hooks instead of towel rods to free up space. If you prefer towel rods, install 3 or more on the back of your door.
- Install a small bookshelf above the door to turn that unused space into a storage area.
- Put the items you need to keep on your counter on a stacked plate rack or tiered tea tray. This will free up counter space but keep your essentials within easy reach.
- Use multiple hanging baskets or your tub headboard to store your bath and shower essentials.
Create vertical storage for small items (e.g. makeup, q-tips, cotton balls) with the help of magnetic boards or strips, spice racks, or mason jars. If your bathroom does double-duty as a laundry room, you’ll need to be doubly strategic about storage. Here are some tips:
- Use hanging baskets or install pull-out baskets under your folding counter to store laundry.
- Forego the collapsible drying rack for a long, sturdy towel bar mounted under a shelf. You’ll need to use hangers, but you save plenty of horizontal space.
If you’re up for a little more intensive remodeling to maximize your bathroom space, consider these design suggestions:
- Think clean. Clean, continuous lines provide an unobstructed view and reduce visual clutter in your small bathroom. Frameless shower enclosures, for instance, can take up less space without making the user feel claustrophobic.
- Use recessed storage. Cabinets and shelves tucked into your walls are a great addition to a bathroom that does not have a lot of floor space.
Stay tuned for the third and final part of our series on Big Ideas for Small Bathrooms, where we’ll talk about how to create strong focal points to draw the eye.