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Bathroom Storage Guide
Posted by Scott Pendlebury on 18 Jul 2013
Cluttered drawers, damp towels on the floor and messy benchtops are not only unhygienic, they also do very little to calm a tired mind.
Here a handy bathroom storage guide to help keep your bathroom organised.
A practical storage layout might include pull out cupboards, glass shelves, a mobile trolley with shelves, and a medley of small storage including bath baskets and canisters. If space is scarce, maximise all storage opportunities with recessed alcoves alongside the bath or shower, and clever additions such as robe hooks and towel rails.
The first step to organised storage is a thorough declutter; clear drawers and shelves of cosmetics past their use-by date, throw out shampoos and soaps you no longer use, and find new homes for anything not strictly bathroom-related so that you can see exactly what you need to store.
As the bathroom is a moist and steamy spot it’s not always the best place to store spare towels and linen, so consider moving these to a cupboard elsewhere. Bathroom necessities generally include towels, grooming products, spare toilet rolls and kids’ bath toys.
Most storage items are marked as kitchen storage or wardrobe storage but doesn't mean you couldn't use then in the bathroom. Need a way to separate the toothbrushes from the hair brushes? Get a kitchen drawer organiser to put an end to all that. You can even designate each slot with the family member's name. Create order inside drawers and cupboards with drawer inserts, pull-out baskets and corner carousels that bring items right out.
Soap, shampoo and everyday grooming products should be stored within arms’ reach of where you use them, such as a bath baskets by the bath. Use them attatched to cabinet doors beneath the sink to organize sponge pads, scrubbers or even spare soap bars and other bathroom items.
A mixture of open and closed built-in storage allows you to keep unsightly things such as cleaning products hidden behind closed doors and the more attractive ones out on display.
In a shared bathroom make sure everyone knows what belongs to them by colour-coding toothbrushes and sewing different coloured tags on towels.
Glass shelves are easy to keep clean and won’t visually clutter up the bathroom. Avoid over-filling shelves – plenty of light and space around display items will enhance the sense of space and calm in a bathroom.
Keep the bathroom fresh and hygienic by allowing moist air to escape through louvred windows or a ceiling or wall exhaust fan.
If you’re short on space, look around for hidden storage opportunities – consider installing tall cabinets beside the sink, robe hooks or towel rails on the back of the bathroom door, and a storage recess beneath a built-in bath or inside the bath hob.
In a small bathroom look for furniture that double-duties, such as a sink with a cupboard beneath it, a vanity with built-in towel rail, or a storage stool.
Keep storage furniture, such as vanities and shelves, off the floor by wall-mounting. Use wall mounted tumbler holders, toilet brush holders and even soap dispensers to save floor space.
A heated, wall-mounted towel rail is practical and stylish, plus it will dry towels quickly and cut back on laundry time.
Narrow alcoves alongside the bath or shower are a handy spot for shampoos and soap, and won’t clutter up your bathroom.
Common pitfalls
Bathrooms need not be a mess if we know how to discover hidden storage potential – consider an over-toilet storage rack, a corner basket for awkward corners, and a mirror fronted vanity cupboard with recessed shelves, all of which will boost your storage without sacrificing floor space.
Overly-deep shelves and cupboards are difficult to organise and waste precious floor space, which only makes a bathroom feel smaller than it really is. Measure the items you need to store, and consider taking storage higher and wider to maximise floor space. If your bathroom has cupboards and alcoves deep into the wall cavity and you can't do away with the deep shelves try using a pull out basket to have an organised yet accessible storage.
Add drama to your bathroom space by introducing unexpected storage pieces, such as a beautiful armoire, a painted vanity or an industrial-style shop fitting. Always ensure any wooden furniture is properly sealed to prevent water damage.
Here a handy bathroom storage guide to help keep your bathroom organised.
A practical storage layout might include pull out cupboards, glass shelves, a mobile trolley with shelves, and a medley of small storage including bath baskets and canisters. If space is scarce, maximise all storage opportunities with recessed alcoves alongside the bath or shower, and clever additions such as robe hooks and towel rails.
Getting Started
Clear the clutter
The first step to organised storage is a thorough declutter; clear drawers and shelves of cosmetics past their use-by date, throw out shampoos and soaps you no longer use, and find new homes for anything not strictly bathroom-related so that you can see exactly what you need to store.
Consider what you need to store
As the bathroom is a moist and steamy spot it’s not always the best place to store spare towels and linen, so consider moving these to a cupboard elsewhere. Bathroom necessities generally include towels, grooming products, spare toilet rolls and kids’ bath toys.
Disorganised drawers
Most storage items are marked as kitchen storage or wardrobe storage but doesn't mean you couldn't use then in the bathroom. Need a way to separate the toothbrushes from the hair brushes? Get a kitchen drawer organiser to put an end to all that. You can even designate each slot with the family member's name. Create order inside drawers and cupboards with drawer inserts, pull-out baskets and corner carousels that bring items right out.
Store Essential Items Within Easy Reach
Soap, shampoo and everyday grooming products should be stored within arms’ reach of where you use them, such as a bath baskets by the bath. Use them attatched to cabinet doors beneath the sink to organize sponge pads, scrubbers or even spare soap bars and other bathroom items.
Consider built-ins
A mixture of open and closed built-in storage allows you to keep unsightly things such as cleaning products hidden behind closed doors and the more attractive ones out on display.
Keep tabs on belongings
In a shared bathroom make sure everyone knows what belongs to them by colour-coding toothbrushes and sewing different coloured tags on towels.
Consider maintenance
Glass shelves are easy to keep clean and won’t visually clutter up the bathroom. Avoid over-filling shelves – plenty of light and space around display items will enhance the sense of space and calm in a bathroom.
Don’t forget ventilation
Keep the bathroom fresh and hygienic by allowing moist air to escape through louvred windows or a ceiling or wall exhaust fan.
Tips and Advice
If you’re short on space, look around for hidden storage opportunities – consider installing tall cabinets beside the sink, robe hooks or towel rails on the back of the bathroom door, and a storage recess beneath a built-in bath or inside the bath hob.In a small bathroom look for furniture that double-duties, such as a sink with a cupboard beneath it, a vanity with built-in towel rail, or a storage stool.
Keep storage furniture, such as vanities and shelves, off the floor by wall-mounting. Use wall mounted tumbler holders, toilet brush holders and even soap dispensers to save floor space.
A heated, wall-mounted towel rail is practical and stylish, plus it will dry towels quickly and cut back on laundry time.
Narrow alcoves alongside the bath or shower are a handy spot for shampoos and soap, and won’t clutter up your bathroom.
Common pitfalls
Wasted Storage Opportunities
Bathrooms need not be a mess if we know how to discover hidden storage potential – consider an over-toilet storage rack, a corner basket for awkward corners, and a mirror fronted vanity cupboard with recessed shelves, all of which will boost your storage without sacrificing floor space.
Oversized Storage
Overly-deep shelves and cupboards are difficult to organise and waste precious floor space, which only makes a bathroom feel smaller than it really is. Measure the items you need to store, and consider taking storage higher and wider to maximise floor space. If your bathroom has cupboards and alcoves deep into the wall cavity and you can't do away with the deep shelves try using a pull out basket to have an organised yet accessible storage.
Boring Storage
Add drama to your bathroom space by introducing unexpected storage pieces, such as a beautiful armoire, a painted vanity or an industrial-style shop fitting. Always ensure any wooden furniture is properly sealed to prevent water damage.