Conquering the Clutter: Clever Bathroom Storage Solutions
I’ll admit it – I’m not the most organized person when it comes to my bathroom. Between the lotions, potions, and endless array of hair products, that tiny space can get cluttered in a hurry. But over the years, I’ve discovered some clever tricks to maximize every inch and keep my bathroom looking stylish and serene. Let me share my journey with you.
From Mess to Masterpiece
It all started when Better Homes and Gardens was scheduled to come to my house for a photo shoot. As I was doing a final walkthrough, my eyes landed on my bathroom vanity cabinet. The doors were looking a little rough – I had tried to touch up the spray paint I had used to refinish it, but that had just created an unsightly blotchy mess. My heart sank as I realized I might have to cancel the whole photo shoot. What was I going to do?
After a bit of frantic problem-solving, I had an epiphany. Instead of trying to patch up the spray paint, I needed to start over completely. Out came the deglosser and paint brushes, and I got to work refinishing the entire vanity the right way. No more haphazard touch-ups for me – this was going to be a full-fledged makeover.
Lessons Learned the Hard Way
As I was repainting the vanity, I couldn’t help but reflect on my previous attempt with the spray paint. Sure, it had seemed like the easy solution at the time, but then I was left scrambling when it started to wear down. Turns out, spray paint can be tricky to touch up, unlike traditional paint. Who knew?
I’m so glad I decided to be upfront about my struggles, rather than trying to hide them. After all, what good is advice if it’s not based on real-world experience? I wanted to share my cautionary tale so that others wouldn’t make the same mistakes I did. Honesty is the best policy, especially when it comes to DIY projects.
Maximizing Every Inch
With the vanity looking fresh and new, I turned my attention to the rest of the bathroom storage. It’s amazing how much stuff can accumulate in such a tiny space! But I was determined to find a place for everything.
First up, I snagged some lazy susans to corral all of Finn’s toiletries on one side of the vanity. No more digging through a jumbled mess – now everything is neatly organized and easily accessible. I also added some slide-out bins underneath to stash extra bath products and linens.
In the slim drawer, I used a silverware organizer to keep small items like razors and tweezers tidy and in their place. No more loose odds and ends rolling around in there.
Hiding the Ugly, Showcasing the Pretty
Of course, I couldn’t just leave everything out in the open. That would defeat the whole purpose of getting organized! So I found some creative ways to conceal the not-so-pretty essentials.
For the shower, I decanted Finn’s shampoo and conditioner into some adorable bottles from Etsy. No more unsightly plastic containers cluttering up the space. And for the extra toilet paper, I put it on display in a sleek standing holder – turns out it can actually be a stylish addition to the room.
In the end, it was all about finding that perfect balance between function and fashion. I wanted everything to be neatly tucked away, but also elevated the overall look and feel of the bathroom. Call me crazy, but I even think the organized vanity and hidden storage add to the spa-like ambiance.
Lessons for the Long Haul
Through this whole process, I learned a valuable lesson: sometimes you have to be willing to put in a little extra effort to get the results you really want. Sure, the spray paint may have been the quicker fix, but it didn’t hold up in the long run. By taking the time to properly refinish the vanity, I ended up with a stunning, durable finish that I’m truly proud of.
And you know what they say – you can’t organize clutter, you can only organize space. That’s why I made sure to maximize every nook and cranny, from the vanity drawers to the open shelving. Now everything has its rightful place, which makes my morning routine so much smoother.
So if your bathroom is starting to feel more like a chaotic catch-all than a serene sanctuary, take heart. With a little creativity and elbow grease, you can transform that space into an organized oasis. Who knows, you might even impress the design experts when they come knocking at your door!
References
[1] Good Housekeeping. “Small Bathroom Storage Ideas.” Good Housekeeping, 29 May 2022, https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/tips/g810/small-bathroom-storage/.
[2] Henderson, Emily. “Why Designers Hate Most Medicine Cabinets & Some Genius Alternative Bathroom Storage Solutions.” Style by Emily Henderson, 19 Apr. 2017, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/why-designers-hate-most-medicine-cabinets-some-genius-alternative-bathroom-storage-solutions.
[3] Bennett, Jessica. “Smart & Cheap Bathroom Storage Ideas for Small Spaces.” The Spruce, 14 Feb. 2023, https://www.thespruce.com/clever-bathroom-storage-ideas-5204096.
[4] Mastro, Michelle, and Elizabeth Stamp. “31 Genius Bathroom Storage Ideas to Declutter Your Space.” Architectural Digest, 6 Dec. 2019, https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/bathroom-storage-ideas-to-help-organize-your-space.
[5] Finn, Casey. “Storage Solutions for a Small Bathroom.” The DIY Playbook, 22 Aug. 2017, https://thediyplaybook.com/storage-solutions-small-bathroom/.
[6] O’Shea-Evans, Kathryn, et al. “The Best Bathroom Storage Ideas to Declutter Your Space.” The Spruce, 22 Feb. 2023, https://www.thespruce.com/clever-bathroom-storage-ideas-5204096.
[7] Faulkner, Tami. “Bathroom Floor Plan Design Tips.” Tami Faulkner Design, 19 Nov. 2020, https://www.tamifaulknerdesign.com/blog/bathroom-floor-plan-design-tips.
[8] Domestic Blonde. “Update Bathroom Cabinet: This Is How to Refinish Yours for Professional Results.” Domestic Blonde, 22 Aug. 2017, https://domesticblonde.com/2017/08/22/update-bathroom-cabinet-this-is-how-to-refinish-yours-for-professional-results/.