Creative Ideas to Enhance Your Bathroom Storage

August 28, 2024

Get Organized with Bathroom Storage

Bathrooms are key spaces in any home, where you start and end your day, relax in the tub, or offer guests a place to refresh themselves. Most homes have more than one bathroom, ranging from a stylish powder room design to a master bathroom designed for two people.

Each bathroom has unique requirements depending on the type of bathroom, who uses it, and how often it is used. One of the key challenges in an efficient and stylish bathroom design is creating sufficient storage to meet the needs of everyone in your household. Without enough storage, your bathroom surfaces like countertops and floors will become cluttered. Not only does this look messy, but it also makes any bathroom more difficult to maintain and can be a dangerous trip hazard.

The key when designing bathroom storage is to maximize your available space without overwhelming it. Many bathrooms require storage in more than one location, such as shower storage and vanity cabinet storage. Small or awkwardly shaped bathrooms require careful consideration to make sure you use your space wisely. Bathrooms used by multiple people, such as a kids’ bathroom, need enough dedicated storage for each person to make sure everyone can get ready in a stress-free environment.

Work with an experienced bathroom design and remodeling team to get the most out of your space. They have seen it all – different families, layouts, budgets, and more – and can help you find creative storage solutions for all your needs. To help inspire your bathroom design plans, let’s explore a few top storage solutions!

Assessing Your Storage Needs and Space

Before embarking on your bathroom design plans, the first thing you must do is assess your needs. Start by fully decluttering the entire space to see what you need to keep in that bathroom. Dispose of or recycle out-of-date medications, nearly empty toiletries sitting at the back of your vanity, and old styling tools you haven’t used in years.

Look at what’s left and make sure these are items you want to store in this bathroom. Could any of these items be kept somewhere else like a hall closet or utility room? Categorize the remaining items based on who uses them, how often, and where in the bathroom they are typically used. Essential shower toiletries must be kept in the shower ready for use, medications should be securely stored, spare rolls of toilet paper accessible, and other toiletries organized in a vanity cabinet.

Next, examine the available space in your existing bathroom layout. Is there enough room to accommodate the storage you need? If not, can your layout be altered as part of a bath remodel, or is it possible to expand your bathroom footprint by moving a wall? Are there untapped spaces in your bathroom, like recessed storage, that could be used to enhance your storage options?

Finally, consider the aesthetics of your bathroom storage. Every element of a bath design must balance style with functionality, and your storage features are no exception. Vanity cabinets help set the tone for your room’s style, floating shelves after space to accessorize your design, and recessed shower storage can become a focal point with a unique tile design.

Closed Storage

The core elements of most bathroom storage are vanity and other cabinets. They provide closed storage in a room where you don’t want every item to be on display. Depending on the size and type of bathroom design, you could include a small vanity, a double vanity, a makeup vanity with a seat, and other cabinets like a linen cabinet or medicine cabinet.

Vanity storage can include customized accessories and inserts, similar to kitchen cabinets. This may incorporate drawer dividers, pull-outs, special storage for styling tools with built-in outlets, and a drawer for safely stowing devices. Add a pull-out laundry hamper to ensure no one has an excuse to drop dirty clothes and towels on the floor. Medicine cabinets are another way to enhance bathroom storage and can even be mirrored or recessed to improve their functionality and make the most of your available space.

Storage benches or window seats with built-in storage are a multi-purpose addition to a bath design. Add a window seat with drawers for storing extra towels. Include a bench near the shower where you can sit down while drying off, with built-in storage for a few spare toiletries or towels.

Space-Saving Shelving and Niche Solutions

Open storage plays a key role in many bathroom designs. It provides space for items that need to be easily accessible and offers room to accessorize your design. Several types of open storage can enhance your bathroom, depending on your space and personal preferences:

Floating shelves are a stylish and functional addition to a bath design. Choose a shelving material that accents your aesthetic, like metal or glass for a modern design, or wood to add natural warmth to your space. Shelves can be used to keep a few key items handy, such as cotton buds stored in a decorative container. They are also a prime opportunity to place a few personal items to accessorize your design. Be careful not to overload shelves or they will become another source of clutter and a dust magnet.

Corner shelving lets you utilize overlooked corners to add storage for a few items in key locations. Install shelves in a shower and select a material that matches other elements of your bath design, such as the countertop. They could also be included in a corner of the bathroom to hold candles or plants that give your space a personal touch.

Over-toilet shelves are ideal for compact bathrooms with limited floor space. These shelves utilize the space above a toilet and can be used to stow a box of tissues, spare hand towels, or extra toilet paper. They can also hold decorative items to dress up your bathroom design with color and texture.

Niches and ledges utilize otherwise untapped spaces in your bathroom to create useful storage exactly where you need it. Recessed niches in a shower are essential, providing the ideal storage for a few shower toiletries in a way that does not impact your available shower space. Ledges can be added near bathtubs for placing toiletries or a few candles while you soak in the tub.

Clever Use of Vertical Space

When planning bathroom storage don’t forget to look at your walls! Beyond shelves, there are a variety of storage solutions that make the most of your vertical spaces to enhance your bathroom’s style and functionality.

Bathroom designs that have ample floor space can add a tall cabinet that is separate from the vanity cabinet. These tall cabinets are ideal to use as a linen cabinet or to keep spare toiletries, makeup, styling products, and more. Since they are not used for immediate items needed to get ready, they can be located anywhere within the bathroom’s footprint.

Vanity cabinets can also be enhanced with tower cabinet storage. These tall cabinets pair with your vanity and can either frame the vanity at one or both ends or sit in the middle to divide a double vanity. They can include a combination of small drawers or shelves, with extra space for makeup, shaving products, and more.

Small items can go a long way in helping you to keep your bathroom clutter-free and low maintenance. Include hooks, bars, and rings to hang up towels and robes. Hang a plant from the wall or ceiling to improve air quality and bring a natural element to your design without taking up precious countertop space. A pegboard is a clever addition to a compact bath design, where you can include adjustable shelves or pegs for stowing accessories or small items.

Creative Containers

Bathrooms tend to hold many small items that need to be organized and stored until you need them. Containers are key to helping you keep small items together, so you don’t overwhelm countertops, shelves, and drawers. You can select containers in a material and style that accents your design, turning these efficient storage features into decorative accessories.

There are many different types of containers to choose from, depending on your style and budget. Some of the top options include:

• Glass containers can be included in either clear glass or an accent color. You could even go for mason jars to give your space a more rustic appeal.
• Wicker baskets can be found in a wide range of sizes and styles to fit any design. They are ideal for holding toilet paper rolls, towels, or a few makeup items on a countertop or shelf.
• Tiered trays and caddies can either sit on a countertop or be placed inside a cabinet and taken out only when needed.
• Metal containers range from contemporary to rustic industrial, depending on the type of metal and the finish. Place one or two on a countertop or shelf or put them inside your vanity tower cabinet to keep small items sorted neatly.
• Wooden crates give off a more rustic or farmhouse vibe and can fit into open storage such as cubbies built into an alcove.

Use your containers wisely, as a place to organize items you use regularly, rather than a dumping ground for lipsticks you will never use. Try labeling your containers so you remember exactly what you’ve stored in them, especially if they are not see-through. Use containers as an opportunity to get creative and accessorize your design. You could buy new containers to fit your bathroom remodel or try repurposing or upcycling containers you already own or can find at a yard sale or local thrift store.

Get Organized with Creative Bathroom Storage Solutions!

A well-designed bathroom can become your favorite room in your home. With a stylish color scheme, quality materials, and features like a spacious shower or freestanding bathtub, you will love to retreat to this space to unwind in the evening or get inspired for the day ahead. Even a powder room can become a stylish focal point in your home.

Storage is key to keeping these spaces organized and clutter-free so your stylish features can take center stage. Plan storage at the bathroom design stage with a combination of closed and open storage. Make sure everyone’s needs are met with dedicated storage for each bathroom user. Add accessories and containers that enhance your storage and complement your design style.

Your sleek, organized, and stylish bathroom will become an asset in your home. Not only will it look great, but it will be easier to clean and maintain, and make daily family life easier and lower stress. Start transforming your bathroom’s storage and style today by contacting our experienced Gainesville remodeling team!