Chicago Illinois Real Estate Blog

As you design a fancy new bathroom, don’t forget to think about where all your functional stuff will go.

There’s the hair dryer and the makeup bottles and the hairbrushes and the extra toothpaste. What about the extra towels and blankets and the heating pad? Bathrooms tend to become the repository for a variety of items from several rooms, making it a challenge to keep it organized.

“The bathroom is the launch pad for your day,” said Kelly Vrtis, a spokesperson for The Container Store. “If you’re running late because you couldn’t find a particular lotion you were looking for, it snowballs into the rest of your day.”

Bathroom storage can be a tricky concept, even in large homes. Home owners tend to have lots of stuff to fill those bathroom drawers, doors and closets. How can you make the most of the space you have.

The solution is in the planning. When building a new home, talk with the builder early in the process about what storage options are available. The builder may be able to slightly modify the bathroom layout or suggest a floor plan with certain storage features.

Start by selecting a vanity that is large enough and has the right door and drawer configuration for your needs. If the bathroom layout allows, go with a 36-inch vanity instead of a 30-inch vanity. When switching floor plans, consider a bathroom that has space for a 48-inch vanity instead of a 36-inch vanity. Any extra storage space will help make the room more functional.

The vanity also can be subdivided to maximize interior space and group together similarly sized items. Some cabinets are sold with deep drawers for storing hair dryers and other larger objects. Pull-out drawers can be used under the sink, which can be a deep space that is difficult to reach into.

Bins and baskets are other products that can help organize a bathroom. They are sold in a variety of sizes from a variety of retailers. Target, for example, sells bins starting around $15 each. One basket might be used for cleaning supplies while another is for storing extra soap and toothpaste.

Before buying storage units, however, think about what you plan to store. You then can divide drawers into zones, with cosmetics in one and hair accessories in another.

This added function also could be added into a bathroom that is highly styled. In larger homes, many people want bathrooms with cabinetry that resembles fine furniture. While they may focus first on the look, they should think about how the bathroom will be used every day, said Glenda Swanson, a designer with Cabinets at Danada Inc. in Wheaton.

A homeowner who has a limited amount of time to get ready for work in the morning will obviously want more storage features than someone who has a more leisurely lifestyle. That busy person should think about how they move through their routine, however, to ensure the bathroom layout is efficient. The number of people sharing a bathroom also is an important factor when planning storage. Two adults sharing a bathroom would need different storage elements than two children.

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