How Do I Organize a Small Bathroom?
Small bathrooms have one great quality: they are easy to keep clean. But oh, how difficult they can be to organize! So how do you organize a small bathroom to make more space? We have many ideas to help you do just that!
Declutter
The first step is to go through your bathroom items and declutter. Dispose of expired products, duplicate items, and things you no longer use. This will free up valuable space.
Take Everything Out that You Don’t Need in the Room
You might save a ton of money buying cases of toilet paper at Costco, but just because you have it doesn’t mean it all needs to be stored in the bathroom. You can keep 4-6 rolls in the bathroom and the rest in another closet, the basement, or the garage. The same holds true of other bulk purchases (tampons, bars of soap, etc.). And if you’re using any storage in your bathroom as a linen closet, it might be time to rethink where you can store some of those things.
Go Vertical
No matter how small your bathroom is, using more vertical space can help you store more of your stuff without it feeling cluttered. Hang baskets to hold things like curling irons; add floating shelves for perfumes. Add over-the-toilet storage and a floor-to-ceiling or tub-to-ceiling shelving unit. Consider adding a tall, narrow storage tower or ladder-style shelf to utilize vertical space without taking up too much floor area.
Create an Illusion of Space
There are a number of design elements and organization tools you can use to help make the bathroom look and feel bigger.
A wall-mounted or floating vanity or sink creates the illusion of more floor space by allowing you to see more of the floor.
A recessed or wall-mounted medicine cabinet with mirrored doors will provide storage for toiletries while saving counter space.
Repaint your bathroom in light colors to make the space feel larger and more open. Install a large mirror on one wall.
Mirrors can create the illusion of depth and make the room seem bigger.
Add pull-out or built-in shelves inside cabinets to maximize vertical storage.
Use drawer organizers to keep small items like makeup, jewelry, and grooming supplies neatly arranged. Instead of traditional towel bars, use hooks for hanging towels. Hooks take up less wall space and are easier to use.
Tips to Help Organize Your Small Bathroom
Keeping a small bathroom organized is an ongoing process. To really stay on top of it, you’ll need to do these things:
Make it a priority to have a designated space for everything and to put things in their spaces when you’re not using them.
Consider a shower caddy or hanging organizer to keep shower and bath products off the tub or shower floor.
Maximize the space beneath the sink by adding pull-out shelves or bins.
Use over-the-door organizers or hooks to hold toiletries, cleaning supplies, or extra towels.
A small rolling cart with shelves or drawers can provide additional storage.
Use a foldable stepstool that can be kept between the sink and the wall when not in use if you have small people who need to reach the sink.
Be selective about what you keep in the bathroom. Store only essential items and move non-essential items to another location in your home.
You know how much we love containers to help keep things organized, but especially when you’re trying to maximize storage in a small space, clear or transparent containers are useful. You can easily see what's inside, which helps prevent your space from getting torn apart as people who use the bathroom rummage through looking for things. Labels are also helpful to keep frustration to a minimum.
Remember that the key to organizing a small bathroom is to maximize vertical and hidden storage while minimizing clutter. Tailor your solutions for organizing your small bathroom to your specific needs, organizational style, and the available space you have in your bathroom. We’re always here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out if getting your bathroom organized feels like it’s more headache than you can handle.
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