Transform Your Bathroom: From Stuffed to Spa-Like
We recently went through a bathroom renovation. When we moved into the house, we inherited a train-wreck of a bathroom, with a horrendous shade of dark blue paint on the walls, the cabinet, even the door.
My Bathroom: Before
I’m thrilled with the updated bathroom.
Whether your bathroom is updated or not, keeping it organized is the key. If you’ve ever been to a spa, you’ll understand the role an orderly environment plays in creating the ultimate relaxing retreat. Creating order in your bathroom will help you replicate that spa experience and give you a soothing place where you can take care of your body and get away from it all. An organized bathroom will ensure you start your day off right, without the added stress of digging through mounds of make-up in a drawer or searching inside a dark cupboard for a bar of soap.
Here are some tips on how to create a sense of harmony in your bathroom.
- A neat bathroom looks more spacious than a cluttered one. Keep only essential items visible and put everything else away.
- When bathroom storage space is limited, keep toiletries that you use regularly in an enclosed shelving unit in the bathroom and store the extras in a nearby linen closet.
- Use clear plastic bins, which are inexpensive and easy to clean, to keep related items together in the cupboards. It’s easier to remove a storage bin than to dig out loose items.
- A small unit with sliding drawers (clear acrylic or plastic is best) can often fit in the cabinet under your counter top and give you easy access to your toiletries. Be sure to measure the space available under the sink before you make a purchase. Label drawers with broad categories like: cosmetics, hair products, dental, bath, etc.
- Using cutlery drawer dividers will keep bathroom drawers looking neat and give you quick, easy access to all your smaller items. Purchase expandable ones for a custom fit.
- Remove the outer packaging from items you wish to store in the bathroom. Unnecessary cardboard takes up valuable space.
- Use the one-in one-out rule when purchasing toiletries and cosmetics. Use what you have first or, if you are not happy with the product, toss it before purchasing a replacement.
- Never store medications in your bathroom. The heat and humidity can cause them to deteriorate long before their expiry date. Store them in a cool, dark place and remember to go through them at least once a year, disposing of any that have expired.
- Be ruthless when it comes to tossing old cosmetics. Many do not have an expiry date but if you notice a change in color, odor, texture or consistency, it’s time to toss.
- Keep a few extra bags at the bottom of the trash bin in your bathroom. When one fills up, you’ve got extras on hand.
- If space is at a premium, use a towel rack that mounts on door hinges and can be hidden behind the door. Many come with arms that swing out for easy access. You’ll get 8 feet of hanging space and utilize what is normally wasted space. If you can spare the wall space, a chrome hotel-style towel rack with a shelf is practical and attractive.
- Keep cotton swabs and puffs clean and handy in glass canisters, which can be displayed on a shelf or on the counter if space allows.
- Use a wall-mounted shampoo/conditioner dispenser in your shower for a streamlined, luxurious look.
- Use an attractive wicker basket to collect all the luxury bath items you like to use and keep it out where you can see it to encourage yourself to indulge.
- Keep aromatherapy candles and a lighter nearby so ambience can be added at a moment’s notice.
- Paint the bathroom in pale, soft colors like pastels, neutrals and whites for a harmonious feel. Cool colors give the feeling of serenity that is found in spas.
Using these tips to organize your bathroom will give you the comfort, relaxation, luxury, and warmth you seek so you can start your day off right and have a place to escape to after a stressful day.
I feel more relaxed just reading this!
Beautiful ideas Hellen! Can’t wait to see the “after” photos of your bathroom. We used to have a small candle chandelier hanging over the tub (you could easily remove it for showering). Magical when you need ME time. 🙂
Great ideas Hellen, I got my drawer dividers and cool jars at the dollar store. My bathroom was a dark colour, and I painted it a neutral and brought the colour in the towels, what a transformation.
Good luck with your bathroom, I am looking forward to the end result,
Michelle
Your new bathroom looks great! So many great tips…thanks for sharing.
Ahhhh! It’s like heaven. I love the rain shower head. And your organizing tips are spot on! Great job Hellen!
Scott, you are right! I didn’t know what I was missing all these years. I can rinse my hair in a fraction of the time with that rain shower. Bet that’s why you love it too (ha, ha, ha). No, seriously, if any of you reading this are considering a bathroom update, the rain shower is worth it!
Your bathroom looks lovely, Hellen. I have used many of your suggestions in our own. However, because it’s on the north side of the house, it’s usually dark, so I painted it a fairly bright yellow. Now when I get up in the morning it feels like the room is full of sunshine–a real boost, especially in the winter.
Hellen, your bathroom is magnificent! But, I would expect that. It is practical, roomy, but most of all, comfortable and inviting, just like a spa (that was your intention, right?) Anyway, please enjoy it with your family. It is well deserved!
Thanks Aurora – yes, that was the look I was going for. I chose a color I really love to give that spa-like effect: Benjamin Moore’s Mount Saint Anne
Hellen, your new bathroom is great; I appreciate the design of the toilet base. Most are ridiculously designed and frustrating to clean. Yours looks easy to clean. I also like the classy mirror over the sink. Very inspiring reno!
Great tips! You mention that the walls of a bathroom should be pale & soft. Are there any pale colours that should be avoided; which may not provide the best reflection for the skin when applying makeup?
Hello Hellen,
Looks sooooo relaxing… exactly the style I love and have thanks to you. I did mine about 4 years ago using many of the tips I had picked up from your tv show. At the time, I had a huge collection of beautiful containers (gifts mostly) which I loved but kept hidden in boxes in my storage room. You had suggested re purposing as an option to purging. It was a great idea… now those items (too fancy for my style of decorating in the rest of the house) make me smile, whenever I open my cupboards. It feels so luxurious to grab a Q tip or makeup remover pad from my crystal bowls. I never have to search for my straightner or other items, located in various low rimmed metal containers and the bonus, my cupboards stay organized. Ahhh! :0) Just thinking about it makes me relax.