Ask anyone in the industry, and they will tell you how important storage is in the bathroom, especially if you live in a house lacking in sufficient storage space to begin with.
But what does that actually mean in the bathroom space? If you’re anything like me, half the things hidden at the back of your vanity haven’t seen the light of day since you moved in.
So, what should you really be considering when it comes to considering the cabinetry in your new bathroom or ensuite?
First things first
You need to establish a few things, like:
- How many people are regularly using the room?
- How much space does each individual require for storage?
- Are there small children, and do we need to consider a medicine cabinet to keep things out of reach?
- Will drawers be more ergonomic?
- Are the spare towels stored in the bathroom?
Once you can establish the amount of space you actually need, this will help you achieve the desired result by ensuring a tailored design with the end user in mind.
Wall-hung or floor-standing vanity unit?
Clients often ask whether to have a wall hung or floor standing vanity unit. Personally I prefer the look of a floating vanity unit, as it gives the feeling of more space within the room; however this can sometimes compromise on storage space.
Consider whether the illusion of space or actual bathroom storage room would be more beneficial to the overall feel of your new bathroom. Remember, the bottom of the vanity is generally used to house the items very rarely used, so this may make it an easy decision.
More drawers in vanity units have certainly become increasingly popularity recently, and with items like the Banio Waste Surround, you can now have drawers directly underneath your basin without the issues of the waste pipe getting in the way. Providing a more ergonomic access to your everyday items, full-extension, soft close drawers are a must for any modern vanity unit, whether it’s custom-made or off the shelf.
The traditional look for bathroom storage
Alas, if you still like the more traditional doors and drawer style unit, woven baskets can provide internal drawers behind vanity doors to ensure items stay neat and tidy, as well as being easier to access.
Have you considered a tallboy unit? If you have room for a large vanity, it may be worth selection a smaller vanity with a tallboy instead. This will give the room some extra height, and make more practical use of the vertical space for towel storage and the like.
Mirrored wall cabinets are always a great way to store the everyday items, and the shallow depth means everything is easy to find. One trick I recommend for clients with electric toothbrushes and shavers, is to include a power point in the wall cabinet above the vanity. This helps keep the bench free from clutter, and hides the power point out of site for a more minimal look.
Easy access to the power point can be created by adding a cable tidy to the side or underneath of the wall cabinet, to allow access to power without requiring the doors of the wall cabinet to be open, and therefore ensuring your view of the mirror is not interrupted, especially when using hair dryers and straighteners.
If you’re not a fan of a mirrored cabinet, consider an open shelf at the base of the mirror, ensuring it doesn’t impose on the basin mixer tap below.
Shower niche or a ledge?
Hot ticket items like shower niches have become very popular in recent years; however, I always find a ledge in the shower a much more economical option. Along with giving you more storage space, it has a more simplistic look, and can be incorporated into a feature wall quite beautifully with the right tiles.
Nib walls between showers and vanities are also great to remove the awkward gap, whilst also creating a shelf inside the shower area.
Floating shelves in organic finishes such as solid timber or wood-look laminate can really help bring a bathroom to life, especially when paired with a devil’s ivy hanging plant. A couple of shelves near or above the vanity unit or bath can look gorgeous, and really bring the room to life when styled with candles, soaps and the like.
Corner glass shelves in shower areas are also particularly handy, as they stay tucked away in the corner, and don’t compromise the overall width of your shower area, whilst helping to keep bottles and clutter off the floor. Make sure to keep your soap holders and shower shelves away from the direct spray of the shower head though, as this causes excess soap and scum to build up on tiles and glass.
Other things worth considering are a footrest or shower seat. While these items are not strictly storage, they do help improve the functionality of the room. A bricked-up corner seat provides both a seat and a footrest, as well as a space for shampoo and conditioner.
Some things to remember
One of the most forgotten about items in a bathroom is the laundry hamper. Is there a space for a freestanding laundry hamper, or should one be built into the vanity unit?
An extended bench-top can provide extra bench-space, whilst allowing a freestanding hamper to sit underneath, keeping everything neat and tidy. Alternatively, a removable wire basket can be custom-made to suit a drawer in your vanity unit, allowing it to be removed and taken to the laundry when required for the weekly washing.
Other handy hints include turning your kick-board into a hidden drawer, or adding extra accessories to the room:
- A wall-mounted soap dispenser
- A hairdryer holder
- A make-up mirror can help make life easier, as well as minimise clutter and give better purpose to the space
- A small stool can also be useful for a place to pop your clothes on, or a place to sit and do your nails or even dry your toes
Do you have any clever bathroom storage ideas? Share them with us in the comments.
Get in touch with WA Assett to find out how we can change the way you feel about your bathroom.
