In a small home, bathrooms are generally smaller than average, which leads to clutter. People tend to store tons of stuff they don’t need in their bathrooms. The ensuing mess is depressing! The goal of a functional bathroom is to make it efficient for you to shower and get ready quickly and easily. Here are a few of my favorite tips and tricks for optimal storage!

“I have no place to put any toiletries or bathroom supplies–and my bathroom has a pedestal sink, so there’s no cabinet underneath the sink, either.”

Consider using a sink skirt. It will let you store toiletries under your sink and will add warmth and charm to the space.

A full length, spice rack can store more than just seasonings. These racks are inexpensive and easily found at a home improvement store, and can help you organize cleansers, lotions, toiletries, cotton balls, deodorant, etc. Mount one on the back of your bathroom door!

Installing high shelving over your bathroom door is a great way to use otherwise wasted space.

Install a peg board on available wall space to hang small wire baskets that will store toiletries. You can also attach hooks from which you can hang towels.

Use metal magazine racks to store rolled up towels.

“My bathroom just looks so small, but I can’t do any construction on it at this point so changing the layout isn’t an option”

You can make your bathroom seem bigger by hanging your shower curtain up higher. Have a longer shower curtain made, or add a 12” band of fabric to an existing shower curtain, and watch your little room grow!

Putting a bathroom sink on top of a counter instead of sinking it actually in the counter maximizes that precious storage space under the vanity cabinet below, not to mention the style punch it packs!

“I know I could change the shower curtain and towels to freshen up the look of my bathroom, but I’d like to create a dramatically different feeling without breaking the bank.”

Stain your grout either black or white.

Stacked, standard size mirrored medicine cabinets are good use of vertical space in a bathroom, providing storage space and reflecting light. 

Consider mirroring an entire wall to open up the space and you can also paint the wall above your shower tiles a new color to add some depth to your bathroom!