Our master bathroom has been the one room in our house that we really haven’t touched. Each time we think about doing something, it never seems to make sense. We know anything small would equate to a facelift for the space and the bathroom needs more than a facelift.
The room is laid out poorly with a small, stall shower, a giant soaker tub that I hate and enough space in the middle of the room that you could do a cartwheel (If your body is still young enough to allow you to do a cartwheel without seriously injuring yourself.).
All that space and there isn’t a linen closet to be seen.
Our closet is attached to the bathroom so technically we could use that, but something feels off about that idea. It just seems to be bad design. I don’t want to store my clean towels in the same place I store my shoes.
While we can’t yet afford to do the big renovation of our dreams, I knew I needed to solve this storage issue since we’ve lived here almost eight years.
When I partnered with Big Lots and found the Stanford Rustic 5-Shelf Bookcase I knew it would be the organizational solution of my dreams.
I’m a big fan of using great pieces of furniture in surprising spaces. I have a vintage dresser in my office, I use a couch table as my desk and now I have a bookshelf in my bathroom. All of these pieces may not have been designed for these spaces, but when you tip toe outside the box, you can see that they fit perfectly.
In particular, this bookshelf from Big Lots is working out splendidly. The best part is, I was able to use it as a functional storage piece while making it decorative.
Find out how I organized everything with Big Lots products below!
Decorate with everyday items
Since I had a storage space problem in this bathroom I knew I needed to use the bookcase to store and organize the items we use on a daily basis. However, that’s doesn’t mean you can’t make it visually appealing. Think about inventive ways to display these items or hide them in a way that will coordinate with the look you’re striving for. Use jars, canisters, baskets and more to help organize in spaces that will be visible but still make it look decorative.
I love using clear, glass jars to hold cotton balls, Q-tips, extra soap and more. If you take the products out of their packaging, you will see that these functional products can make a space decorative too.
Put the bulk at the bottom
I started by visually anchoring the whole unit with two large, wire baskets from Big Lots. Since the baskets are a bit bulky themselves, they add a weightier presence to the bottom of the bookshelf that makes sense from design perspective. From an organizational perspective, these baskets allow me to store big, bulky items from the bathroom like extra toilet paper, feminine products, wipes and more. These baskets also allow me to hide these items, which aren’t the most visually appealing.
Display most-used items at eye level
When thinking about the bookshelf from an organizational perspective, I wanted to make sure the items we use every day were well within our reach. Hand towels, wash cloths, extra toothpaste, Q-tips and more are all in places where we can quickly grab them and go. Everything can be seen visually so we don’t have to hunt for it or dig when we are rushing around in the morning.
Use one color of linens for a uniform look
Whatever color you decide to go with for towels in your bathroom, stick with it. I don’t apply this same rule to my kids’ bathroom because they actually have a linen closet and I don’t care that they have a rainbow of towels behind the closed door.
However, since I knew my bathroom towels would be on display, I picked up a bunch of white cotton towels from Big Lots when I bought the bookshelf. They are high quality towels that I was able to get for less since I purchased them at Big Lots. I also purchased matching hand towels and wash clothes so there wasn’t anything throws my eye off when looking at the shelf.
Using one color and seeing the uniform look, makes me calmer in some way. I feel like I can take a deep breath when the colors all match. White also makes the most sense for me since I can just bleach them if they get dirty.
Decorate in threes or fives to create interest
Three is the magic number. Most of the time, I will have three items on a shelf. It’s due to the rule of threes which says that odd numbers of items are more appealing, memorable and effective. Using an odd number of items will help you create interest on your shelf and it forces your eye to move around more, which makes for a visually interesting experience.
That said, when I use weightier items, like the baskets, two is a good number to go with because:
- They fill the shelf
- It creates symmetry.
Use textures, different materials and patterns
Whenever I’m decorating something I try to use different textures, materials and patterns to provide more interest too. I like to mix it up between sleek items like the large, clear, glass canisters from Big Lots and items that will grab your attention like the beautiful, wooden candle sticks and textured planters (Also from Big Lots!).
Don’t forget the green
I love plants. I feel sort of cliché calling myself a plant lady but every time I go into a store that sells plants, it’s a struggle for me to walk out without buying one. I was able to grab a couple beautiful, neutral planters from Big Lots and used them to pot some plants that would hold up to lower light situations. As you can see I have a giant window in my bathroom, but we generally keep the blinds closed because my husband thinks everyone wants to see us naked.
So, while I may be years away from getting the bathroom renovation of my dreams, Big Lots has helped me to make the space much more tolerable and, if I do say so myself, beautiful.
Check out your local Big Lots and see what discoveries you can find that will help you to solve space issues or create beautiful little spots in your home.
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I love what you did with your space. That shelving is really nice. I think I should do something like this in our house.
There never seems to be enough storage in the bathroom. This shelf looks great! I love the clear jars too
Your storage shelf looks so good! I love the different textures you used, and I love the baskets. Great idea!
Oh wow what some beautiful things you have done to your bathroom for storage! I have to admit we don’t have enough at all so I may just have to give something like this a whirl!
Our bathrooms could certainly use a pretty storage space like this. I really like the clean way the extra towels and supplies are organized.
Looks like a lovely bathroom organizer. That standing shelf would fit nicely in my bathroom too. I will just have to decide on the color motif I will use. Thank you for the ideas.
I’m always looking for new ideas, so thanks for sharing…lovely pics x
I love this! My bathroom could definitely use some good storage solutions, and this has motivated me to get on it!
That tub is so pretty! You have a lot of room in your bathroom to make some nice shelving work!
Oh I am dying with jealousy over that bathroom! We lack storage in ours!
Never hurts to give your bathroom some storage love. I like what you did with your bathroom.
I really like your bathroom! I think a fresh perspective is in order for bathroom storage.
That’s one good looking bathroom shelf! I really like how you have decorated it in a realistic manner because often these storages look great for appearance but aren’t as friendly to use. Great use of your space, love it!
Your bathroom sounds just like mine. Small shower. Huge, useless tub. Except we do at least have a linen closet in addition to the clothes closet. I so badly want to renovate our bathroom, but we are saving up for building our own house so not spending the money. I really like the look of these shelves, though, and may have to do something similar in my bathroom.
We can always use more storage in our house and in our bathroom. Thanks for sharing these tips – it’s always a struggle when you have kids to find place for so much stuff!
We couldn’t find the exact storage we liked so my husband built it! It’s been wonderful working on organizing it and making it looks like I want it. I love your idea of the baskets – I think I might add some to my storage! 🙂
These are such great tips! I love the look of the bookcase and might have to try something similar in our bigger bathroom for storage!
That bookcase is GORGEOUS. I usually go to Big Lots for the holidays since they have the best holiday decor!
Very functional with style too. And really convenient having the essentials at the ready! Great inspiration.
These are really awesome ideas!! It makes me so excited to give my bathroom some storage upgrades.
I love that shelving unit, what a great looking and functional nook! But yeah, what is up with rooms and houses with no storage?!
These are such great tips and your bathroom looks really beautiful in that style. I will try to do those ideas in our bathroom, thanks for sharing this with us.
What a pretty way to store all your bathroom essentials – I particularly love the baskets. Your bathroom looks lovely!
I love how you created the storage space using a bookcase. It look really good and well organized.
That is a beautiful and practical storage solution. Thank you for the suggestions.
I absolutely love everything about this bathroom storage setup! I am now motivated to get mine bathroom organized and hopefully similar to this. I love using glass jars and baskets in general, so this will be perfect!
I like how organized and lovely this look. Our bathroom is really small that can’t fit a storage stand. But this gives me fab idea. Thank you!
Your usage of space in this unit is great! I love when decor becomes functional too. Now you’re making me wish my bathrooms were bigger so I could have one of these!
This is beautiful and well organized. I just move to a new home and I am looking for new ideas on how to use my space efficiently. Thanks for sharing.
I’m actually amazed how often bathrooms are so badly designed. I love how you’ve organized the shelf and used something unusual to do it!
These are really awesome ideas. I especially love the tip on putting “bulk” items on the bottom. It’s definitely more aesthetically pleasing. This is an awesome post.
I love what you did with the shelf. It is so eye appealing. I wish I could do something like that in my bathroom but I don’t have the wall space.
Your bathroom looks so good! I love the idea of using bins to hold your towels and toilet paper rolls!
These are fab tips. Really love the look and yes putting bulk at the bottom is key and along with some nic nacks looks really nice x
Love the way you decorated your bathroom shelf – clean, neat and bright. That’s how I want to decorate mine too. Thanks for the tips.
These are great tips! My bathroom is under renovation, I find these tips useful. Looks so neat!
this is such a great solution for bathroom storage and it also looks modern and stylish! I love it!
My bathroom lacks any sort of style whatsoever. This would be so great to organize and bring things together.
I would just like to have a bathroom big enough to do any of that kind of beautiful decorating! I love what you did with the shelves and storage – AND all the extra decorative touches. I actually wish I had a soaker tub, too!
How can you hate a giant soaker tub?! Is it because it’s awkward in the space or you don’t take baths? I love your tips to make bathroom storage beautiful!
our bathroom space is so limited. I wish a rock like this would fit!
It looks so pretty and relaxing. I love the airy look it has.
Awesome concept, tips and ideas that everyone can follow through.