Clever storage ideas to maximise space in your bathroom.
As most of us know, great storage is the key to keeping your bathroom tidy and clutter free. As it’s rare to have oodles of room for cupboards, great planning is essential in order to maximise your space.
If your aim is to keep everyday practicals tucked discreetly out of sight, then push-click drawer units and handle-free cupboards are your friend, particularly if they can be housed in a recess.
Prefer a more characterful look? Consider a vintage medicine cabinet or an up-cycled chest of drawers, like the examples ahead.
On the other hand, you might want to make a display of perfumes and potions, particularly if they’re contained in pretty packaging – in which case show off your favourite or most used bottles and jars in a decorative glass cabinet or on open shelving.
Check out these bathroom flooring ideas.
If staying tidy doesn’t come naturally to you or others in your family, make it easier for them by installing a vanity unit with drawers or a cupboard rather than just a basin. Those that are wall hung rather than positioned on the floor still give the illusion of space and the storage space will ensure there’s a place for towels, toiletries and other bathroom essentials.
If space is a particular issue, or you have an oddly shaped room, then commission bespoke storage – the designer will use every centimetre in the room wisely and you won’t regret the investment.
No space for a towel rack? Hang them from a hook on the back of the door, mount a shelf above the door, or go for an edgy industrial look with pipe-style towel rails. Look around and you’re bound to find some dead space – be it on the wall above the loo, above the bath, beneath the basin or in an alcove.
See these Seven Steps to a Beautiful Bathroom.
Zen
Marie Kondo eat your heart out. Clever carpentry is the secret to this glamorous and well-ordered scheme. The shelves provide ample space for towels and bathrobes, while drawers are perfect for nail varnishes, toiletries and make-up.
Get the look: The en suite was designed by Vincent Van Duysen.
Traditional
Custom built walnut shelves make the most of an awkward alcove space behind the door. The marble countertop ties in with the rest of the marble bathroom.
Mirrored
You can just about make out the built-in mirrored shelving, cleverly blending into the mirrored background. A curtain rail below the sink makes it easy to grab things, while keeping clutter out of sight.
Get the look: The marble double-basin and mirrored cupboard were designed by Charlotte Crosland Interiors and made by Nick Hilliard at Redhouse. The ceiling light is by Hector Finch.
Etagere
A brass open shelving unit is a glam way to store towels and trinkets.
Get the look: Etagere by Bernhardt
Concealed
Integrated and concealed built-in cupboards provide extra storage.
Geometric
Here, bespoke units with recessed handles subtly echo the geometric mood of the mirror and lights.
Get the look: The vanity unit was made bespoke by Studio DB. These are Aurora pendants by Oregon brand Cedar & Moss. The mirror is by New York-based Matter.
ALL IN ONE
This is one of the few spaces in the apartment to have a pop of colour. The red cross is an old pharmacy sign.
Get the look The concrete floor tiles were brought back from Morocco.
max the space
This room has a contemporary feel, but careful use of materials links it with the more traditional elements elsewhere – the metro tiles match those in the utility room and the natural wood of the cabinets mirrors the furnishing throughout.
Get the look The bathroom cabinet was designed by Stephen Akehurst. Try CP Hart for similar. Head to Mandarin Stone for limestone floor tiles. The Jade lamp table (used as a stool) is by Wilhelmina McCarroll for Zuster in Melbourne. Try Objekten for similar.
GOOD SCENTS
Smart storage and a creative use of space are key components of the owners’ interior style.
Get the look The Chanel mirror is from Portobello Road.
GOLDEN TOUCH
A vintage chest was transformed into this gorgeous vanity unit.
Get the look Get a custom-made leather headboard like this one from The Headboard Workshop. Find other versions of this Traccia Bird Leg side table by Meret Oppenheim at 1stdibs. com. Designs by House of Honey.
AGAINST THE GRAIN
Warm wood, dark slate and bronze accessories create a soothing retreat.
Get the look The slate floor tiles are from Danish firm Ölands Stenmontage. This is Dornbracht brassware. The vanity unit was made in Dinesen HeartOak.
warm textures
Bespoke cabinetry is tucked into a recess at one end of the room. A trio of miniature pendants makes an eye-catching addition to the scheme.
Get the look The vanity unit and mirror are by Ofist. CP Hart sells similar bathroom furniture and accessories. The East West pendants are by Hüseyin Turgut for Turkish company Lightwork. Try Rothschild & Bickers for similar.
graphic style
The walls in this room are finished in raw concrete, while geometric tiling adds a graphic element. The grey and mustard colour combo is easy on the eye yet still dramatic.
Get the look Find Art Deco-style wall lights at Balineum. Topps Tiles sells a range of geometric floor tiles.
SLEEK RETREAT
The simple vanity unit has a sleek, streamlined look, while the marble tiles add a touch of luxury.
Get the look The Corian-topped vanity unit was designed and made by Lee Redmond Interiors. The marble wall tiles are from Tower Ceramics. The tap is from the Axor Starck collection by Philippe Starck for Hansgrohe.
Modern Lines
The monochrome palette and modern freestanding bathtub with matching his and hers sinks create a chic hotel-like interior. Simple ovals, marble and a micro cement floor keep things serene and uncomplicated.
Get the look: The basins and bath are from Victoria + Albert. The taps and bath filler are by Bagno Design. The marble is from Venice Marble. The bespoke vanity unit features Buster + Punch handles. The mirrors are from The White Company.
Light And Airy
Open shelving keeps this bathroom feeling spacious – you could store smaller items away in tidy boxes. The minimalist mood in here brings a welcome note of calm. All soothing lines and textures, while the veins of the marble are almost hypnotising.
Get the look: The bath and basin unit are made in Arabescato Paonazzo marble, similar to that used in the kitchen. The custom-made brass stand was designed by Peter Mikic. This brass wall light is by Collier Webb. The taps are by Lefroy Brooks. The towel rails are by Bard & Brazier.
Bathside Bliss
A partition wall next to the bath has built-in shelves to toiletries handy.
Get the look: The panelling is painted in Feathers of a Dove emulsion by Valspar at B&Q. The tub is from Bathstore. Malcolm designed the partition wall – find a builder to create a similar design via ratedpeople.com. For a similar hammam towel, try Urbanara.
Wall To Wall
Built-in wall-to-wall cabinetry provides ample storage, keeping this monochrome bathroom clutter-free.
Get the look: The statuary marble tile design, framed mirrors and washstand are by Tamzin Greenhill Designs.
CUPBOARD LOVE
The centrally placed tub and walk-in shower, accessed from both sides, create a sense of spaciousness. Cupboards built into the recesses either side provide ample storage for towels and toiletries.
Get the look The wall, cupboard doors and bath – a reclaimed design bought from Lassco – are all painted in Stiffkey Blue estate emulsion by Farrow & Ball. The marble splashback and floor tiles and glass shower screen are from Fired Earth.
Wall, Interrupted
Instead of one long uninterrupted alcove above the bath, there are several – each one a slightly different height and shape. This helps to break up the wall, and add interest.
Get the look: The bath is a concrete trough from Mole Valley Farmers. The white pottery is from Made.com. The bathroom sink is an old wood dough bowl from eBay.
Monochrome
A simple single drawer is deep and wide enough to store away all toiletries. Drawer dividers and boxed compartments keep things tidy and organised, and within easy reach. Sleek, smooth tiling and curvaceous modern basins were the starting point for this bathroom. Matt-black taps were added to mimic the clean black lines of the bathroom wall lights and mirror.
Get the look: The Milan basin mixers are by Tre Mercati at QS Supplies. The basins are from Lusso Stone. The mirror is from Next Home. The wall lights are from Holly’s House. The Italgraniti wall tiles are from Tower Ceramics.
Tall shelves
Here, dead wall space above the bath is maximised with three shelves – ideal for storing towels or lesser used products.
Get the look: Floor tiles, Odyssey. Wall tiles, European Heritage. Metal shelving, Maisons du Monde. Walls painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball.
Basket Case
Simple decorative baskets kept under the sink create a relaxed, bohemian vibe. Ribbed-glass Crittall doors separate the shower and WC from the basin, located in the bedroom. Painting ceilings in the same shade as the walls gives rooms a cohesive, cocooning feel.
Get the look: The bespoke basin was made with a Béton Ciré finish. The 19th-century French oeil-de-boeuf (bull’s eye) zinc window mirror is from Anton & K. The walls and ceiling are painted in Felt IV flat emulsion by Paint & Paper Library.
His And Hers
Painting the his and hers bathroom cabinets in a pale grey helps showcase the beauty of the marble surface and create a serene, spa-like feel.
Get the look: The bath, basins and taps are all by Duravit. The marble surface is by Valter Eklund. The photograph reflected in the mirror is by Andreas Von Gegerfelt.
Seating Shelf
Alcove shelving is low enough to be used as a seat in this practical wet room – handy when it comes to things like shaving legs, scrubbing or moisturising.
Get the look: The wall tiles and Smoked Embers anti-slip floor tiles are from Walls and Floors. The bath is from The Cast Iron Bath Company.
Mirror Mirror
Shelves are concealed behind mirrored doors, while larger items are stored away in push-open drawers under the sink.
Get the look: The Portuguese marble was sourced by Jon Loveday. These are Mackintosh shower fittings and basin taps by Lefroy Brooks. For a similar shower screen and mirrored wall cabinet, try CP Hart.
Full Length
A full length narrow cabinet provides all the storage you need for a family bathroom.
Get the look: The taps and shower are by Vola. The bathtub is from Ma Salle de Bain. The double basin is from CP Hart.
Urban Edge
A metal framed mirror, industrial-style tap and a vanity unit that’s seemingly on wheels pulls together the industrial theme.
Get the look: The tiles are from Tons of Tiles. The taps are from homary.com.
Brass Details
Raised towel rails above the bath keep towels handy while staying relatively out of the way. The vanity unit has built in storage with matching brass handles.
Get the look: The wall tiles are from Waterworks, the roll top bath is from Sunrise Speciality and the tap is from Waterworks. The sink unit was custom-made, the basin is by Kohler and the Henry tap is by Waterworks.
Open Vanity
A simple vanity unit provides open storage – ideal for tidy boxes or neat piles of towels – while jewelled drawers keep clutter out of sight.
Get the look: The marble slabs are from Stone Age and the bespoke unit with mother-of-pearl drawers is by Carden Cunietti. This bath and basin are by Agape. The Lotus Flower wall lights are by Valerie Wade. The Hamman towel is by Khadi and Co at The Conran Shop, which also supplied the back brush.
Vintage
A mix of antique pieces and modern touches, such as the Chinese cabinet and contemporary patterned floor tiles give this bathroom a bohemian face-lift.
Get the look: The basins are from Ksar Living, Ibiza. The wall lights are by Vaughan. The ceiling light is the Z1 by Ay Illuminate. The mirrors are by Pomax. The antique Chinese cabinet is from October Interior. The Lazy Sofa bath is by B Dutch. The tiles are by Popham Design.
