As a home designer in Boulder, Colorado, I specialize in creating spaces that harmonize with the natural surroundings and reflect the region’s contemporary, eco-conscious spirit. This passion stems from personal experience grappling with limited space in my own tiny bathroom. Like many small bathrooms, it posed a struggle – where would all the essential items go without feeling cluttered or chaotic?
Modest bathrooms can feel organized and inviting with careful planning and strategic solutions. Embracing vertical storage, multipurpose furniture, and space-saving fixtures radiates practicality and style. My designs help homeowners transform petite powder rooms into functional havens.
Rethinking Vertical Real Estate
In small bathrooms, the prime storage space is on the walls. Floating shelves, wall-mounted cabinets, and over-the-toilet storage create space without taking up the floor.
Installing floating shelves at different heights above the toilet or sink provides a convenient space for toiletries, plants, candles, or decor. Choose shelves with open compartments or subtle dividers for a seamless look.
Hanging wall cabinets on either side of the mirror is a great way to store essentials. Use them for cotton balls, swabs, makeup, hair accessories, medications, etc. Choose cabinets with adjustable shelves and smooth-opening doors.
Don’t forget about the area above the toilet! Tall, narrow shelves can fit into tight spaces. Use them to store extra toilet paper, washcloths, cleaning supplies, or bathroom reading material.
Double Duty Furniture
When dealing with limited space, it is beneficial to seek out multitasking furniture. Vanities with built-in storage keep toiletries and beauty tools organized while providing counter space for grooming rituals.
Install a caddy in the shower with multiple shelves to keep shampoo, soaps, loofahs, and razors off the floor. Position it near the faucets for easy access.
The bath tub can also be used for storage. Choose one with integrated shelves or ledges for bath accessories and toiletries. Bonus if it has a built-in wine glass holder for relaxing soaks!
Space-Saving Fixtures
When renovating a tiny bathroom, consider slimmer, more compact fixtures to save floor space.
A corner pedestal sink takes up less room than a bulky vanity. Newer sink models come in a range of materials and finishes to complement any style.
A corner shower layout with sliding glass doors saves space compared to traditional swing-out shower curtains. It also makes cleaning around it simpler with less hardware.
Don’t overlook wall-mounted toilets. By installing the toilet directly onto the wall, you can gain up to 10 square feet of floor space for a stool, decorations, or future storage.
Harnessing Horizontal Expansion
Look behind the bathroom door and above your head for more storage potential.
Over-the-door organizers with hooks or multiple pockets are great for towels and toiletries. They are out of sight when the door is closed. Sturdy over-the-door storage shelves also hold bulky hair dryers and straighteners.
Overhead storage like wall-mounted cabinets or corner shelving enhance the feeling of height in low-ceilinged rooms. Use them for backup toilet paper, cleaning supplies, or bath sheets.
Hidden Storage Surprises
Discreet built-in storage offers a seamless look without overwhelming the senses, combining hidden function with beautiful form.
Use dead space inside the walls or vanity cabinets. Build recessed shelving niches to stow washcloths or small items.
Under cabinet toe-kick drawers are a practical storage solution. Use them for backup toiletries, grooming tools, cleaning supplies, or bathroom linens. Look for drawers with soft-close slides for easy access.
What about the medicine cabinet mirror? Choose one with adjustable shelving to store electric toothbrushes, razors, tweezers, etc. The only hint of storage is a seamless mirror front that reflects light.
By building concealed storage first, remaining items openly without clutter. The overall look feels clean and intentional.
Specialty Storage Solutions
Specialty storage solutions offer unique ways to stash bathroom necessities with style.
Magnetic strips add storage with a modern vibe. You can mount them inside cabinet doors or under floating shelves to hold small metal grooming tools like tweezers and cuticle scissors.
Use adhesive-backed vinyl meshes in a variety of colors for a lightweight material that anchors easily without drilling. Use them to hang lightweight towels, or install them inside cabinet doors to organize bands, barrettes and bobby pins.
Add a tension pole caddy to the shower niche. The spring-loaded poles adhere to the walls with rubber stoppers, organizing shampoos and conditioners on stainless steel shelves that stay mildew-free.
Display everyday items in personalized bins, canisters, and jars. Customize with paint, decoupage, or vinyl lettering to match your personal style.
Maintaining Order
Maintain order in well-designed bathrooms with these habits:
Edit regularly. Set reminders to go through bathroom belongings. Toss expired, nearly empty or unused products.
Group by frequency. Keep daily items, like contact lens supplies, toothbrush and paste, Cottonelle Ultra ComfortCare, facial cleanser and Hydro Silk razor, in accessible spots like a medicine cabinet or vanity drawer. Reserve upper cabinets or high shelves for occasional-use products like backup shampoo bottles, gift soaps or seasonal towels.
Label everything. Use vinyl lettering, printable tabs from Etsy, or painter’s tape with handwritten names to identify bins, baskets, and storage containers. This prevents time-consuming morning hunts for items.
Contain small items. Use bins, canisters, or acrylic organizers to corral Q-tips, loom bands, bobby pins, barrettes, and hair ties and keep them from getting lost.
Final thoughts
Even small powder rooms can feel organized, stylish, and inviting with clever solutions. The key is maximizing every inch, from floor to ceiling. Rethink storage placement based on size rather than conventional use. For example, a hallway console can fit across a bathroom door.
Prioritize concealed storage to prevent clutter on open shelves. Regularly edit belongings and maintain organizational systems. Follow the essential guideline for tiny bathrooms: a place for everything and everything in its place.
What small bathroom storage solutions have you discovered? I’d love to hear your real-life examples and lessons learned! We can maximize every Boulder bathroom with creativity, teamwork, and an eco-conscious community spirit.
