Inspiration for small bathrooms

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Since people seem to become more and more interested in smaller homes, whether for downsizing reasons, keeping utility costs low, etc., it's also becoming important to decorate your space in a way that maximizes your square footage.  As my fiance and I are looking at homes, all of which are teeny tiny (about 2 bedroom, and 1 full bath), we've noticed clever ways some people are putting all the amenities of a full bath into what was traditionally the powder room.  These small, full-amenity baths, or Cloakroom suites, as they're referred to in the UK have become an increasingly popular bathroom trend in recent years, with more and more people keen to create a smaller second bathroom.

Keep in mind it's not actually light colors that make a space look larger - it's a lack of contrast that keeps a space looking airy...

There are a number of techniques available to ensure that you do not have to sacrifice the luxuriousness of your bathroom due to the lack of space on offer. Many of these choices revolve around bathing options, with shower baths a particularly popular option for those with a smaller bathroom.

A shower bath ensures that every bathing option remains available to you, while freeing up enough space in the suite for other essentials such as the toilet and a bathroom basin. There are several different choices of shower baths available, meaning you can be sure that your shower bath matches the overall style of your bathroom suite.

This tub is narrow, but deep (which I think is actually better than the shallow, wide tub most of us have...), and it saves space!

I am an avid bath taker, so I can't imagine only having a shower.  Even if it meant my toilet would only have an inch between the sides of it and the sides of the tub!

If you are planning on a small downstairs bathroom, cloakroom suites could be the ideal choice. A cloakroom suite is a bathroom significantly reduced in size, usually containing only the absolute essentials. While you would not usually include any form of bathing option in a cloakroom suite, they can ensure that your main bathroom is left free, ideal for busy households where several people live together.

A cloakroom suite is also ideal if you often have guests over, providing them with access to a bathroom without the need for them to feel like they are intruding by venturing upstairs. Cloakroom suites are therefore the ideal accompaniment to your main bathroom, with many extremely helpful functions.

Not only does this small bathroom have a shower, it also has a mini soaking tub!

In addition to a shower bath, a corner bath can also help to save a great deal of space within a bathroom. By dedicating your bath to a single corner of the bathroom, a significant amount of space is saved and can be filled with additional bathroom necessities. As with shower baths, these corner baths come in a range of different styles and designs, meaning the overall theme of your bathroom will not be impacted.

Bathroom furniture can also help to create the illusion of space and prevent your bathroom from appearing cluttered and untidy. As well as covering up unsightly pipework which may be present, this bathroom furniture also creates a great deal of additional storage space. This can be used to store deodorants, shower gel, makeup and the various other items which are traditionally stored within the bathroom.

Wall hung toilets are another way to maximise the space in the bathroom, especially when combined with the above recommendations. With these aforementioned techniques and many more, it is no wonder that the popularity of small bathrooms continues to expand. Whether you are replacing a small bathroom or are contemplating the creation of a cloakroom suite, there are a number of trends which can be employed to ensure that the result is not only functional, but extremely aesthetically pleasing.

1,2,3,6 Houzz, 4,5 Fresh Home

disclosure: this post in partnership with screwfixbathrooms.com

Organization Series: My Bath & Linen Storage

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I truly LOVE to have a clean and organized home.  Keeping things neat and tidy helps me stay calm and relaxed, and saves my family the unnecessary stress of searching for mundane items in the midst of a busy day.

Today's post is all about my BATHROOM, LINEN & LAUNDRY STORAGE!

The top shelf of our linen closet houses my clothes iron and steamer.  A white fabric bin stores shoe and clothing care items.  Guest and bath towels are simply organized by size and colour.

My ironing board is hung from two hooks on the back of the closet door.  Bulk paper goods and beach towels are stored on the lower shelves, along with a small vaporizer and my sewing machine.

If you're wondering why there are no bed linens in this closet, I keep a rolling container under each bed for storing extra sheet sets.

Our master bathroom vanity has two drawers and a cupboard that's divided into three sections.  The builder chose not to install any shelves (why???), so I've had to be a bit creative in order to utilize this space for storage.

The first cupboard holds my makeup case and beauty products.  The stacking bins at the back are for items that I don't need to access on a daily basis.

I've attached a 3M hook (I love these!) to the side of the cupboard for my hair dryer. Hand towels and face cloths are stored beneath a small wire shelf that I've added to provide some much needed vertical storage. 

In the middle cupboard, labelled dollar store bins hold bulk items, as well as our daily hair products and body lotions.  A portable caddy helps me transport my cleaning supplies to each bathroom on cleaning day.

In the third section, I've labelled the drawers of a small organizer that houses our smaller bathroom products.  I always keep a few extra rolls of toilet paper in each bathroom next to the 'commode'.

The medicine chest stores our daily hygiene products.  I use a small glass decanter for mouthwash and a drinking glass to hold our toothbrushes.

Our son and daughter share the main/guest bathroom.  The vanity consists of two deep drawers and a cupboard under the sink.  Stackable containers store nail care, first aid and beauty supplies. 

The medicine cabinet stores cold and allergy meds, as well as daily hygiene items for my kids and guests.  (I really need to add wallpaper to the back wall...)

Our laundry room is conveniently located on the second floor. Wicker baskets on the open shelves are used to store extra linens and sewing supplies.

(I'd love to have square baskets with lids, but, sometimes one has to make the most of what they already own...)

I've also added a few of my favorite accessories to help break up the storage containers. Since the laundry room is rarely used by anyone other than myself, I feel completely justified making this space as pretty and as pink as I like!

Labelled dollar store containers store oxy tablets, dryer sheets and all of the coins one ultimately find in pants pockets.  I buy laundry detergent in bulk and refill the smaller jugs I keep above the washer for daily use.

On the opposite wall, a multi-compartment clothes hamper fits neatly beneath a folding counter.  I love having the ability to sort the laundry as it's created.

The cupboard below the sink is used store bulk laundry items and spray bottles. I've added a small tension rod to increase the vertical storage space.

Well, that's it for my bath, linen and laundry storage!  My bathrooms, linen closet and laundry room are finally clean, organized, and ready for the long winter ahead.

I hope this latest post has given you a few ideas on how to organize some of the cupboards in your own home.

My tips are aimed at organizing for 'real life', with items that can easily be found at dollar and discount stores.  Please let me know your thoughts!

In my next post, I'll be sharing organization ideas for CLOTHES CLOSETS.

Until next time... HAPPY ORGANIZING!

Home Organization: Beautiful Bathroom Storage

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(via Inspiracion-Line)

Having an Organized Bathroom is essential to morning harmony. Here's some pretty and practical ideas for storing all of those daily necessities.

Install hooks for robes and bath towels. They take up less space and are more convenient than a towel rod.  Glass cylinders are ideal for storing soaps, cotton balls and other small toiletry items.

(via Lowes Creative Ideas)

Display and store extra towels on an antique ladder to add instant character to your bathroom, or drape magazines over the rungs to create an instant reading rack. 

(via Nice-Space)

Trays with multiple compartments are perfect for organizing make-up and nail care products.  They can be easily stored away in a drawer or under the sink to help keep your bathroom counter clutter-free. 

(via BHG)

Designate a drawer for your husband's shaving products and toiletries. Clear, acrylic containers keep items accessible and looking tidy.

(via BHG)

Store items that you use on a daily basis in shallow baskets and tuck them away in a top drawer.  If space allows, display your prettiest perfume bottles on a small tray to enjoy every time you walk in the bathroom.

(via BHG)

Try this clever solution for housing curling irons, blow dryers and brushes, or store hair supplies in tall canisters inside your bathroom vanity.

(via BHG)

Use tiny shelves, containers and hooks inside your medicine chest to keep the space neat and orderly.  Add wallpaper to the back of the cabinet for a little extra decorating flair.

(via Classic.Casual.Home)

Install custom glass-front cabinetry to house luxurious bath products, and add a coffee station and under counter fridge to complement your early morning routine...  ahhhh, a girl can always dream!

(via BHG)

I hope these storage ideas will help you to create a Beautiful and Organized Bathroom in your own home!