Let’s face it: Storage can be irritating in
any room. But this small irritation can become a big fat issue when you’re
dealing with a small bathroom. Where do you store towels? What about tweezers?
And where exactly are you supposed to hide tampons when you don’t have drawers?
We’ve found the solutions to these woes and more.
Here are six ways to make the most of a
petite bathroom:
1. Add Extra Towel Racks to the Door
No matter how small your bathroom is, we bet
it has a door. How many towel racks do you have on the back of that door? If
the answer is “zero,” it’s time to hang a rack. If it’s “one,” you’re still
selling your door space short. Try lining your door with enough racks to hang
the majority of your towels. Then, store the rest in a closet somewhere else in
the house. This rack from OXO is a
solid option if you need to go shopping.
2. Make a “No Water, No Bathroom” Rule
Who said make-up and hair has to be done in
the bathroom? Nobody, that’s who. Adopt the rule that if it doesn’t involve
water, it doesn’t happen in the bathroom. Set up stations for make-up, hair and
other habits in other spots and then get your makeup, makeup brushes and hair
tools out of the bathroom. That will free up some serious space!
3. Use a Lazy Susan
The ‘80s brought us spandex, hammer pants
and Lazy Susans. Remember those wheels everybody had on their dining room
tables? Those babies are perfect for the under-the-sink area of a cramped
bathroom. On your Susan, organize everyday items like Q-tips, cotton balls and
toothpaste. Then, spin away. This way, you don’t have to go spelunking in the
crowded cabinet every time you need something.
4. Podium Sink? Surround It with Shelves!
Whoever invented the podium sink should be
put on trial, because those things are a crime. Where do you store your stuff?
On the floor? Fix the problem with these creatively designed shelves from IKEA. (We also dig the name Ragrund.) They’re meant to fit
snuggly around that annoying podium, and they’ll add some serious storage
square footage to your bathroom.5. Try Magnet Strips for the Little ThingsNext time you’re in the bathroom, pay
attention to how many metal do-dads you have laying around. Between bobby pins,
nail clippers, razors and scissors, metal things are probably adding to your
bathroom clutter. Fix the problem by hanging a knife magnet strip. They’re designed to hold the weight of knives, so
they’ll definitely be able to handle your hair accessories.
6. Experiment with New Shelves in Weird Spots
And by weird, we mean above doors, above the
showerhead and even above the mirror. Why not? All of this space is prime real
estate for storage. Plus, you only need those tampons once a month. It won’t be
a big deal to use a step ladder to reach them, right?