We spend 416 days of our lives in our bathrooms on average, according to research commissioned by B&Q! Despite us using our bathrooms so often, they are often the smallest room in our homes. Add in the fact that we store many of our toiletries and cleaning products in these spaces, and that means your bathroom can quickly become cluttered, messy and a hassle to use.

Make getting ready in the morning less chaotic, without breaking the bank, with our 10 smart bathroom storage hacks – below.

1. Use up empty wall space with a wall rack

Your bathroom sink often ends up as a dumping ground for products. But, a cluttered sink can make your bathroom seem messier than it really is! If you’ve got unused wall space near your sink, then it’s easy to transform it into storage for these products.

Attach a wall rack next to your sink to keep those items that you look for most at an easy-to-reach level. A wall-mounted wine rack is the perfect size for clean, rolled-up towels.

A handyman can put up racks and rails in no time – find one local to you on Rated People.

2. Upgrade your in-shower storage

Shower caddies that attach to your shower wall with suction cups are a common storage option for walk-in showers, shower baths and shower rooms alike. Annoyingly though, suction cups can slip off the tiles over time, due to the wet environment.

A shower shelf is a great affordable alternative. It’s an easy-to-clean, sturdy surface that’ll keep your shower time essentials off the sides of the tub. Opt for a glass shower shelf for a barely-there look.

Handymen often charge by the hour. So, they can put a shower shelf up for you whilst they’re visiting your home to complete other jobs. Find a vetted handyman on Rated People.

3. Carve out space with a wall niche

A stylish alternative to a shelf, a wall niche is perfect for creating more room in your bathroom without building out. Install a wall niche above your sink to add space for the products you’d usually keep on your sink, such as hand wash. Or, place a wall niche in your shower to house bottles of bubble bath, shampoo and body wash.

It’s important to keep the existing wall studs, electrical wiring and plumbing safe from harm whilst you’re installing a wall niche. Otherwise, this simple job could snowball into an expensive repair project.

Avoid any safety issues by hiring a professional bathroom fitter from Rated People.

4. Place a storage ladder over your toilet

Freestanding ladder shelves are a trendy addition that’s popular amongst the home design bloggers of Pinterest and Instagram. Place one flush against the wall over your toilet to add extra storage to your bathroom, without taking up scarce floor space. It’s a great spot to keep extra toilet rolls! You can decorate your ladder shelf with plants, wicker storage baskets and glass jars for a decorative touch of texture, too.

Check out more of 2021’s top home improvement ideas as well as 5 of our favourite home design ideas for the year.

5. Maximise existing cabinet space

Out of sight, out of mind – that’s the approach many of us take when it comes to our under-sink and mirror cabinets. If you’ve noticed things falling out when you open the doors, then it’s time to get organising. There are plenty of quick additions that’ll make it easier for you to organise your cabinets (and keep them that way).

• Shelf risers: Add more surface space into your bathroom cabinets with an extra shelf.
• Rotating tower: Reach those products at the back of the cabinet easier by simply spinning the tower.
• Pegs and hooks: Self-adhesive pegs and hooks can be quickly attached to cabinet doors to hold hair tools, washcloths and other hangable items.

6. Dig out your cake stand

Most of us have a cake stand that we’ve banished to the back of the kitchen cupboard after using it once. Repurpose yours into a functional bathroom storage space, using barely any effort, by:

• Using it in your cabinets: A multi-tiered cake stand is perfect for creating more shelf-like space.
• Placing it by your sink: A pretty cake stand is a great platform for holding your hand soap, toiletries or plants without taking up too much space around the sink.

Read more tips on bathroom accessories in our budget bathroom decorating ideas blog post.

7. Install under-sink bathroom storage that fits around your pipes

Pipes and plumbing making it awkward to transform your sink into a storage space? A bespoke storage unit is a great solution. A carpenter can craft a vanity unit with drawers that not only wraps around the pipes, but also hides them from view. It’s a sure-fire way to make your space look tidier.

Take your organisation one step further by separating your products into their own clear sections using a drawer organiser or kitchen utensil tray. You’ll spend less time rummaging around in your drawers for that product that you’re sure you put in there…

Connect with a professional carpenter to discuss your bathroom cabinet needs on Rated People.

8. Choose multifunctional bathroom furniture

If space is really tight, then go for bathroom furniture that creates double the storage space. This will keep the number of fixtures and fittings that hog space in your bathroom to a minimum. Examples include a shelf that you can also hang things from, a vanity unit with a built-in toilet roll holder or a classic mirrored medicine cabinet.

For more compact bathroom design inspiration, check out our top 5 tips to make the most of a small bathroom.

9. Mount interesting bathroom wall hooks or a rail

You’ve probably already got hooks for your towels, bathrobe or clothes in your bathroom. Even though they’re there for practicality’s sake, they’re also a little detail that can make a noticeable difference to your bathroom’s aesthetic. 

Quickly upgrade your bathroom with both practicality and style, by swapping your existing bathroom hooks for decorative ones. From stylish metal finishes to quirky and unique styles, there’s bound to be a wall hook that fits your bathroom’s design.

10. Swap floor standing furniture for wall-hung versions

The more floor space that you can see, the bigger your bathroom will look. So, swap out your main pieces of bathroom furniture for space-saving, wall-mounted versions. Or, you can hide certain features completely – for example, by replacing bulky radiators with underfloor heating or ThermaSkirt (skirting board heating).

Wondering how to design a bathroom with new fittings? Get to grips with the best ways to avoid bad bathroom design.

Whether you want to upgrade your bathroom with a full refit or simply change a few fittings and fixtures, it’s best to get help from a vetted tradesperson. Connect with a local bathroom fitter on Rated People.

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Bathroom renovation: behind the scenes with Abdul and Piratheesh

Welcome to our new three-part series where we take you behind the scenes on some Rated People jobs. Meet some of our vetted tradespeople and the lovely homeowners who hired them to makeover or improve their properties. In this first episode, you’ll see the before and after of a bathroom renovation job.

In this story, we meet our tradesperson, Abdul from Experie, and new homeowner, Piratheesh. Experie have been with Rated People for over three years and in addition to bathrooms, they specialise in extensions, basements and loft conversions.

This is Piratheesh’s first home and he wants it to be just right so he’s called in Abdul for a complete bathroom renovation. He wants new vanity units, new fixtures and fittings, lighting, a new bath, plus a new radiator. He also wants two types of tiles, so the space between the bath area and the rest of the bathroom is divided cleanly.

What rating will Piratheesh give Abdul? Will he be satisfied with the results?

Watch how Abdul works with Piratheesh to bring his dream bathroom to life.

You can visit Abdul and Experie’s profile page, here.

The post Bathroom renovation story with Abdul and Piratheesh appeared first on Rated People Blog.

Most people don’t live in huge properties so we’re always on the look out for clever uses of space, all around the home. Bathrooms are no exception – they can often be awkward to build or redesign, especially when you consider the plumbing and electrics needed. Below, we explore some ideas to make the most of your small bathroom.

1. Declutter

Most of us have all sorts of products lurking in our bathrooms – from multiple disinfectants to unused shower gels. Our first small bathroom hack is actually a challenge – throw out half empty products, give away others you won’t use and consider storing unopened items in a small cabinet in the hallway or in your bedroom. With fewer products your bathroom will feel less cramped and more minimal in minutes.

For more storage ideas we have a dedicated article, here.

2. Add a vanity unit

The area below your basin is perfect for storing all those bathroom essentials. Contemporary vanity units come in all shapes and sizes, which are great for tight spaces. There are also wall-mounted options to free up floor space where you can store a waste or laundry basket. Choose a vanity unit with a single tap so you can store toothbrushes or soap on the side.

3. Bath or shower?

We’ve have a whole blog post on this debate, here. But at the end of the day it’s very much a personal decision. If you already have a bath but want more space, then it’s easy to create a sleek wet room or shower enclosure that feels larger. You can read more about shower rooms here.

Ditch the grotty shower curtain and stick to sleek lines, plain colours and materials such as glass and ceramic tiles to create the illusion of space. However, if you have kids or love relaxing in the bath – there are plenty of compact designs out there, including stylish roll top baths.

4. Make it light and bright

Dingy bathrooms with bad lighting (or a lack of natural light) will always feel small. The best solution is to install LED lights – built into the ceiling, walls and mirrors – which will give a fresh, stylish and modern feel. An electrician can recommend the best lights for your bathroom.

Find an electrician here.

Swap out dark tiles or paint for lighter floor and wall tiles. Continuous floor and wall tiles give the appearance of length and width, especially if the tiles are on the larger size. Avoid patterns that can feel busy and claustrophobic – choose neutral, light colours that make the room look bigger and more welcoming.

5. Maximise space and storage

If your bathroom is a difficult shape with lots of dead space, invest in bespoke cupboards or open shelves to avoid a boxy feel. A carpenter can advise you and tailor the best storage solutions. Find a carpenter here.

Alternatively, go for freestanding options such as a vanity cabinet that doubles up as a full length mirror, or a ladder shelf for towels that can stand relatively flush to a wall or window.

For bespoke ideas, get the help of a bathroom specialist here.

The post Top 5 tips to make the most of a small bathroom appeared first on Rated People Blog.