Tips 4 More Bathroom Storage

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The smallest rooms in the house are typically bathrooms, and we try to stuff quite a bit into them. The problem with too much stuff … is you can’t find what you want, when you want (need) it. Let’s explore how you can find and/or create more storage in your bathroom.

Hiding Behind Your Door

Adding hooks to the back of your door is perfect as most of the time, the door is open and noone even sees what’s hanging there. Depending on your door style, you can install hooks on the top and bottom of your door which is very helpful with young children. Hooks are available as singles, doubles or there is quite a selection of multiple hook fixtures such as the one shown here (purchased at Lowes).

Bathroom Vanities That Work for You

Vanity height varies from the traditional 30 to 32 inches when the wash bowl sat on top, to today’s taller vanities that are 34 to 36 inches … and don’t forget to add 1.5 to 2 inches for the countertop. There aren’t any rules about tall vanities, much like kitchen pantries when you have a long wall to work with and to  maximize storage capacity in your vanity, try adding sliding shelving so everything is accessible.

Extra Shelving to Use Wasted Space

Bathrooms are usually tucked between larger rooms, and they often have unusual spaces because they’re next to the hallway or back up to a closet. When you’re short on storage space, you can add shelving in these spaces with a standard unit if it matches a standard width like 12, 15, 18 or 24 inches … or build a custom unit as shown here (to left of bathtub). With one of the walls behind the shower and bath fixtures, the shelving was designed so it could be removed to provide access to the plumbing if needed.

Combination Seating and Storage

Window seats are another choice for adding storage to a bathroom or bedroom. They provide a place to lay out clothing, dress small children and store lots of bulky items like towels and children’s toys. Larger bathrooms with platforms surrounding a tub are another source of hidden storage, where you can build in drawers or other access to make use of space below.

There are many other ways to create added storage in your bathroom, like a second wall cabinet or storage over your toilet. When considering your options, here are some points to consider:

• Review what you’re storing in the bathroom. Do you need to keep 2 full sets of towels there, or can one set be stored in the linen closet or bedroom closet?
• Identify items you want to store out of sight like cleaning products and toilet paper. With lots of countertop space, you may be able to arrange everyday items in a nice collection of baskets.  Make sure there’s a home for everything and that it’s easy to put things away to avoid clutter.
• When there are multiple bathrooms, don’t keep duplicate things in every bathroom. The first aid kit can be stored in the half bath near the kitchen while an extra medicine cabinet in the master bath can store medications out of children’s reach.

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