Answer: The bathroom, of course.
Big or small, private or shared, there never seems to be enough bath room for everything you need. But space-finding ideas can help you create an organized sanctuary.
Clutter is the absolute antithesis of relaxation, which is why spa design always emphasizes clean lines and open spaces. The basic rule of bathroom storage is to keep objects near where they're used. This means placing frequently used items in the front of wall cabinets between waist and eye level, and storing bulkier items on lower shelves. Unsightly items such as blow dryers, curling irons, plungers and cleaning products should always be hidden from view.
Here are some basic tips:
Go Vertical!
If your floor space is limited, look to your walls for help. Wall-mounted
cabinets and shelves come in hundreds of different sizes, shapes, styles and
materials. Remember that the area around
and above the toilet is often unused (and perfect for storing towels or
baskets.) Measure the available space very carefully before shopping, and be
sure to factor in such things as door swing, amount of space above the toilet
and the position of any hanging fixtures. In addition, look at decorative towel
racks and hooks for hanging towels and bathrobes.
Stand-Up
If you have the floor space for a free-standing unit, there are hundreds of
options. Pick a tall skinny tower if space is really limited and go short and
broad in a larger space. Some of these units have shelves that are perfect for
baskets; others have frosted glass or solid doors. If you are storing towels,
go for the shelves or glass doors. Unsightly items should be concealed behind
solid doors.
If there are children in your life, look for durable materials like plastic. Wheeled bathroom trolleys are versatile, have bins that can be used to store many different items and, because they move around easily, can be tucked into the smallest spaces.
Medicine Man (and Woman!)
If your home came with a tiny medicine cabinet, consider replacing it with a
larger, surface-mounted one. This will provide a lot more storage space, and
the bigger mirror will help make the bathroom look larger.
To avoid excess clutter, make it a habit to go through the cabinet every six months and discard prescription and over-the-counter medicines that are past their expiration dates. Throw away empty containers, old make-up and anything you no longer use on a regular basis. Organize everything that remains according to type of product (all dental supplies on the same shelf) or by assigning a separate shelf to each family member.
Under the Sink
The most effective way to use this space is to measure it carefully and then
find dividers, plastic shelves or stacking bins at your local container store
to fit the space. Without these organizational tools, the space will most
likely turn into a cluttered mess.
Behind the Door
The back of the bathroom door can provide the perfect place for hanging
bathrobes or towels to dry. If the door is hollow and won't take a screw, there
are many over-the-door hooks that attach to the top of the door and do not
require any kind of hardware. As long as an organizer will not interfere with
your door swing, you can consider choosing one for extra storage. You can also
mount storage units inside vanity doors to hold magazines or personal care
products.
Hang it!
Three tiered hanging baskets are usually relegated to the kitchen but they can
do double duty in the bathroom. If you have an available corner, here is a
creative and inexpensive way to make storage. Hanging baskets are perfect for
holding rolled washcloths, beauty supplies and toiletries. Stacked rolls of
toilet paper will look fine if you remove the pre-printed packaging. You can
make the baskets more decorative by spray painting them or threading the edges
with colorful ribbons.
Babes in Toyland
If you have small children, then your bathroom is most likely filled with bath
toys which make bath time a happy time but also add to the general clutter.
Today there are fun shower curtains that come with expansive pockets to hold
these toys. Or buy a big plastic bucket and cut some holes in the bottom to
drain out the water after playtime. Keep the bucket on a mat. If you don't mind
looking at the toys, store them in a mesh bag that hangs from a hook.
These are only a few of the ways for eliminating clutter from your bathroom and creating a luxurious spa environment for yourself. With a little research you can find dozens of new products and ideas at your local home improvement store or online. Any product that helps get you organized and reduces clutter will ultimately get you closer to your spa goal.
Before buying anything, make sure you remember to measure, measure, measure and then measure again. The only thing more stressful than clutter is buying the perfect space saver, getting it home and then discovering it does not fit into your space.
For more step-by-step how-to’s and great project ideas, please visit us at www.BeJane.com
