10 Essential Organizing and Storage Tricks for Small Bathrooms
From utilizing vertical space to using oft-ignored under-the-sink cabinets, here's how to make the most out of your tiny T&B
It’s funny why it’s called a bathroom when there’s usually not enough room for everything you need. But the need for more space in this sacred area is really no laughing matter, so let us show you how to make your bathroom look and feel like it’s not so small after all.
Here are some tried-and-tested tricks:
1. Use vertical space.
Look above to check for unused space you can possibly use. We’re talking about overhead cabinets and shelves, possibly over the door. How about hanging organizers from S-hooks on the curtain rod? Shower curtains with pockets also allow you to keep toiletries at bay. You can also place shelves on the space over the toilet. Decorative magnetic strips attached to the wall by the sink can serve as a place for tweezers, hairpins, and the like.
2. Rein them in.
Bottle up small items like cotton buds in pretty mason jars (which you can use as is or paint over for a rustic look), or apothecary jars for bigger items like towels or soap bars. Or corral your pots of makeup and toiletries in trays, so you won’t clutter up your sink area.
3. Look under the sink.
Expand cabinet space by using removable shelves so you can make the most out of this ideal storage area for cleaning materials and extra supplies.
4. Choose double-duty furniture.
For instance, instead of buying a shelf and a hamper separately, look for a hamper that comes with shelving. A mirrored bathroom cabinet helps keep medicine bottles and small toiletries out of sight but within easy reach.
5. Get a rolling cart.
Stash often-used items in a rolling cart or bar cart, which you can easily remove from the bathroom when guests arrive, making the space instantly clutter-free. You can find bar carts at SM Home or at Crate & Barrel.
6. Use a desk organizer.
Hair tools and their cords in disarray are not a pretty sight. A file box or magazine organizer is your best bet to keep these under control. Store them upright so you can conveniently access the tools you need every morning.
7. Pare down toiletries.
Re-visit the toiletries and beauty products you keep inside the bathroom. You may have overlooked products that are past their expiration date, or those that are almost empty. Check regularly so you don’t end up with a mountain of tubes and bottles on your bathroom counter.
8. Display beauty products on a cake stand.
If they’re pretty enough to be seen on the bathroom counter, put them out there by all means. The colors and shapes on nail polish, perfume bottles, and makeup containers add life to a plain bathroom.
9. Move your spice racks from the kitchen to the bathroom.
Shampoo bottles, lotions, makeup, and other containers can be nestled in spice racks attached to the wall. If you’re obsessed about keeping things uniform, you can buy similar containers, transfer contents, and label accordingly.
10. Use the back of the door without having to drill holes.
Over-the-door hooks and rails can be easily removed and adjusted so you can use this space for hanging towels and bathrobes; and this is especially perfect for rented homes. You can get these from Co Ban Kiat or Ace Hardware.
