Ask a Designer: How Can I Organise My Bathroom Brilliantly?
Get some expert insight into creating a bathroom that’s packed with storage, yet doesn’t feel cluttered
Sophie van Winden
2 January 2016
Houzz Contributors, interior designers and founders of Owl Design, which works primarily in the hospitality and residential sectors. Owl's designs are creative and eclectic with an injection of fun, using texture and colour to make spaces which invite and inspire.
Houzz Contributors, interior designers and founders of Owl Design, which works primarily... More
Bathrooms are often the smallest room in the house and used by all the home’s occupants, so they need a lot of clever storage. As well as this, they’re supposed to be a sanctuary, so should be free from visible clutter. No matter what style or size your bathroom is, try these tricks for keeping it both well stocked and well organised.
Squeeze storage into storage
For tailored storage with a relaxed look, try building made-to-measure compartments within a vintage cabinet. Work out exactly what you need to store and have a cabinet-maker build internal drawers within the larger piece.
You might want one drawer for cleaning products, one for towels, one for toilet rolls and another for all your toiletries. Here, the owners have used a contrasting wood, but you could go for a bright colour for that element of surprise when the cabinet doors are opened.
For tailored storage with a relaxed look, try building made-to-measure compartments within a vintage cabinet. Work out exactly what you need to store and have a cabinet-maker build internal drawers within the larger piece.
You might want one drawer for cleaning products, one for towels, one for toilet rolls and another for all your toiletries. Here, the owners have used a contrasting wood, but you could go for a bright colour for that element of surprise when the cabinet doors are opened.
Maximise an awkward space
Cram in maximum storage by having a bespoke cupboard built into an awkward space. This neat design could have worked even better if the owners had changed or moved the radiator and had the cupboard run right to the wall and up to the ceiling.
Cram in maximum storage by having a bespoke cupboard built into an awkward space. This neat design could have worked even better if the owners had changed or moved the radiator and had the cupboard run right to the wall and up to the ceiling.
Make it moveable
For extra storage and a design statement in one, a ladder shelf is an inexpensive and stylish option. This model has been used for display as well as storage, making it a real feature of the room.
Ladders are perfect for rented properties, too, as they can just lean against the wall, meaning there’s no damage from fixings.
For extra storage and a design statement in one, a ladder shelf is an inexpensive and stylish option. This model has been used for display as well as storage, making it a real feature of the room.
Ladders are perfect for rented properties, too, as they can just lean against the wall, meaning there’s no damage from fixings.
Mix old with new
You don’t have to stick to the norm when choosing your bathroom cabinet – you could use a vintage cupboard and have a carpenter make it work in your space for you.
An aged wood piece, or a glass-fronted antique design like this one, would add character and warmth to an otherwise plain bathroom.
You don’t have to stick to the norm when choosing your bathroom cabinet – you could use a vintage cupboard and have a carpenter make it work in your space for you.
An aged wood piece, or a glass-fronted antique design like this one, would add character and warmth to an otherwise plain bathroom.
Use as much wall space as you can
If you have the space, why not carry the vanity unit and medicine cabinet along the full length of the room? Not only will this create more surface on which to display your favourite bottles, it will also provide much more cupboard space.
You could also house a washing basket in a drawer for a clutter-free floor.
If you have the space, why not carry the vanity unit and medicine cabinet along the full length of the room? Not only will this create more surface on which to display your favourite bottles, it will also provide much more cupboard space.
You could also house a washing basket in a drawer for a clutter-free floor.
Free up space from other rooms
A clever use of a plain wall in a bathroom is to build in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. Not only would this free up space in your bedroom, but you could keep all your towels and linens in there, too.
A clever use of a plain wall in a bathroom is to build in floor-to-ceiling wardrobes. Not only would this free up space in your bedroom, but you could keep all your towels and linens in there, too.
Create an optical illusion
A wall-mounted vanity unit creates the illusion of more space, since you can see more of the floor.
To compensate for the lost storage space beneath it, why not build out the wall so you can set a large medicine cabinet into it? In this bathroom, a cabinet could be hung above the basin, as the wall above the tiles is set back slightly.
A wall-mounted vanity unit creates the illusion of more space, since you can see more of the floor.
To compensate for the lost storage space beneath it, why not build out the wall so you can set a large medicine cabinet into it? In this bathroom, a cabinet could be hung above the basin, as the wall above the tiles is set back slightly.
Nail a niche
For a streamlined look, you could house your cistern behind some joinery. This would not only look neat, it would give you the option of creating a niche – the black slice of wall in this space – in which to display decorative items, as well as cupboards above for storage.
Notice the wall has been built out at the top so it’s in line with the unit, making it look as though the unit is set into the wall. You could also bring the cupboards right down, omitting the niche and creating a flush, minimalist look.
Discover more ways to use recessed space around the home
For a streamlined look, you could house your cistern behind some joinery. This would not only look neat, it would give you the option of creating a niche – the black slice of wall in this space – in which to display decorative items, as well as cupboards above for storage.
Notice the wall has been built out at the top so it’s in line with the unit, making it look as though the unit is set into the wall. You could also bring the cupboards right down, omitting the niche and creating a flush, minimalist look.
Discover more ways to use recessed space around the home
Double up with smart furniture
Here, a floor-length mirror is also a tall medicine cabinet. This slimline design is great for small spaces and has enough storage for most households’ bathroom needs.
It’s a good idea to choose a design with a mirror on the inside as well as the outside, so you can use it when applying the make-up or creams stored in the door.
Here, a floor-length mirror is also a tall medicine cabinet. This slimline design is great for small spaces and has enough storage for most households’ bathroom needs.
It’s a good idea to choose a design with a mirror on the inside as well as the outside, so you can use it when applying the make-up or creams stored in the door.
Build in a view
You can have lots of storage as well as lots of light. Make your windows as large as possible and build around them using pale and reflective materials. Very deep under-basin cabinets mean the medicine cabinet can be shallow, so as not to spoil the view.
You can have lots of storage as well as lots of light. Make your windows as large as possible and build around them using pale and reflective materials. Very deep under-basin cabinets mean the medicine cabinet can be shallow, so as not to spoil the view.
Make space for a chute
Should you be lucky enough to have a utility room, and to be able to house it directly under your bathroom, why not install a laundry chute? No more lugging washing from room to room!
Discover how to plan the perfect utility room
TELL US…
What kind of storage do you have in your bathroom – and does it work well? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
Should you be lucky enough to have a utility room, and to be able to house it directly under your bathroom, why not install a laundry chute? No more lugging washing from room to room!
Discover how to plan the perfect utility room
TELL US…
What kind of storage do you have in your bathroom – and does it work well? Share your tips or photos in the Comments below.
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