Does your bathroom always look cluttered no matter how much cleaning you do?
Perhaps cleaning isn’t the problem. Maybe your bathroom layout is the problem instead.
Having a poorly designed bathroom layout means you’ll constantly pile products on countertops, cram towels in wherever they’ll fit, and trip over things that have nowhere else to go.
And the worst part about this…
Most homeowners completely blame themselves for bathroom clutter. They feel lazy and messy when no fewer than layout problems are causing the chaos.
Why Your Layout Is Making Your Bathroom Cluttered
The problem with bathrooms is that they’re small.
MORE THAN SMALL… tiny.
And yet we expect them to hold towels, toiletries, hair drying products, hair tools, cleaning supplies, and who knows what else. When your bathroom layout doesn’t allow for proper storage options you’re destined to have clutter.
Take note…
The U.S bathroom storage and organizer market was valued at USD 8.5 billion in 2022 and is expected to keep growing. Seriously?! People are buying storage units to fit in their bathrooms to prevent clutter? No. They should be fixing the layout of their bathrooms so those items have a place to be stored!!
A good bathroom layout strategically places storage where you need it. Storage near the mirror for products. Towel storage near the shower. Cleaning supply storage hidden under sinks. When your layout works against you, clutter takes over every single time.
If you’re looking into bathroom remodeling in Chicago make sure you hire service providers who can correct these problems!
Signs Your Layout Is Causing Your Clutter
Wondering if your bathroom layout is causing your clutter? Here are a few signs.
Things are Always on Your Counter
This is the number one sign that your layout is causing clutter.
When stuff always ends up on your counter after you shower or get ready in the morning, it means that there is nowhere else for it to go. Chances are your vanity has horribly built in drawers or dated cabinets that aren’t cutting it for modern storage.
Fix: Install drawers with dividers and pull out organizers. Watch how different it looks and feels when you have everything with a place to be stored.
Dead Space
Take a look around your bathroom. See that dead space above your toilet? How about empty corners and wasted wall space between vanities?
This wasted space is a huge sign that your layout is dated. This is space that could be filled with extra shelves, cabinets, or towel bars to eliminate counter and floor clutter.
Towels Go Everywhere
Towels on the floor? Dropped over shower doors? Crammed on a tiny towel bar?
If you’re struggling to find a home for your towels quickly after washing up, your layout needs adjustment. Functional bathrooms have dedicated towel storage space which most outdated bathrooms lack.
You Can Never Find What You Need
It’s not just annoying–a cluttered bathroom is useless.
When you shove everything into random drawers and counters you’ll never find what you need in the morning. You’ll have slower morning routines and more frustration. Then the clutter will continue to pile up.
Showers Are Piled High With Products
Hey, we’ve all done it. Dump all your shower products in the shower when you get out. Heaven forbid you put them anywhere near your sink.
If you constantly see bottles on the shower floor, items on a ledge that looks like it’ll fall over tomorrow, or a caddy hanging from your shower head – it might be time to look into built-in shower niches.
These are some fairly obvious storage solutions that can make a big difference in your bathroom.
Examples of Bathroom Storage Solutions
Okay. You know your bathroom layout is causing clutter. Now what?
Here are some bathroom remodeling service tricks you can use to fix clutter caused by your bathroom layout.
Floating Vanities
Ah, floating vanities. They’re all the rage right now for good reason.
Floating vanities create room on your floor that will make cleaning much easier. Bonus? They open up the space and make your bathroom look bigger when it’s really small. Storage underneath can be hidden away in baskets or bins for a less cluttered look.
Medicine Cabinets With Storage
Stop hanging pretty curtains across your wall just to make it look like you have storage.
Medicine cabinets create hidden storage with doors to tuck away clutter. Not only will this open up your walls but your countertops will instantly look less cluttered.
Built-In Shelving
Okay, we get it. Open shelving is kind of annoying. It looks cluttered and who wants that?
Built-in shelves are different. When done correctly, built-in shelves can offer functional storage that actually looks aesthetically pleasing. Plan out exactly what you want to store where before installing shelves. Use decorative baskets to disguise clutter-y items.
Drawer Organizers
Drawers without dividers are a hot mess.
Install drawer dividers to eliminate clutter in every drawer. Keep hair tools in their own spot. Makeup shouldn’t mix with skincare. Bulk up on cotton balls and q-tip holders. You’ll be amazed at how organized you can be with the correct dividers.
Linen Closets
According to the 2024 Houzz Bathroom Trends Study, 83% of homeowners hire professionals to renovate. Why? Because they know some things, like adding in linen closets, should be left to the experts.
Closets near your bathroom will clear up towel mayhem forever. It also allows for backup storage should you run out of your usual products that would normally clutter your main bathroom.
Don’t DIY This Project
While some of these projects are DIYable, you’ll definitely need to hire a contractor for some of them.
Projects You Can DIY:
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Install over-the-toilet shelving
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Install towel hooks or bars
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Add drawer organizers
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Add a shower caddy
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Store things in decorative baskets
Projects You Shouldn’t DIY:
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Move plumbing to accommodate new layout
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Install recessed medicine cabinets
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Add built in shower niches
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Replace vanities with floating versions
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Install linen closet near bathroom
Hiring a contractor will definitely set you back in the budget but trust me when I say it’s worth every penny. You’ll keep your bathroom so much cleaner because your layout will force you to! You’ll stop buying trashcan organizers and “smart” storage that won’t work for you. You’ll be able to have stress-free mornings because you can find things easily.
How to Find the Right Contractor
Don’t just hire the first bathroom remodeling service that comes around.
Find someone who asks you questions about your day. What products do you use daily? How many people are using your bathroom each day? What bothers you the most about your current space? A good contractor will find problem areas and offer bathroom remodeling services to fix them.
Summary
It’s easy to get frustrated with yourself when your bathroom is a cluttered mess. BUT, that’s not your fault. Your bathroom layout is causing you grief.
Signs your bathroom layout is causing you clutter:
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Counters are always cluttered with products
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There is dead space you could use for storage
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Towels can’t find a home
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You struggle to find necessary daily items
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Showers are constantly piled high with products
While some of these storage tips can be done by yourself, you’ll really need to hire someone to come in and help with your bathroom. Sinkers like floating vanities, recessed medicine cabinets, built-in shelving, drawer organizers, and linen closets are all amazing for cutting down on clutter and making your bathroom “pop.”
Remember, your home is your Sanctuary. If it makes you stressed every morning trying to get ready you need to fix what’s causing you problems!