bathroom storage solutions

You may know it by now, because we tend to be over-sharers around here, but we just recently finished our biggest {longest running ?} project to date. With our bathroom + bedroom redo under our belts, it was time to actually enjoy it.

We learned a lot about bathroom clutter, and what works or doesn’t when it comes to what you actually need… when we were sharing a small hallway bathroom with three offspring, we ended up omitting a lot from our stash. We quickly found that we didn’t really use that twentieth Clinique sample… {Okay, I. Jamin doesn’t wear various shades of pink on his face… not usually anyway.} and maybe we should check the expiration dates on the sixth tube of Neosporin we apparently love to buy because we never know where they are… and then lose. For what it’s worth, there’s really no point to try to whittle down your daughter’s Hello Kitty sparkle nail polish collection until she’s asleep. {Because she must. Have. Them all.}

But we learned what to bring back into the space by what we actually used, and work from there.

With the new bathroom, it gave us a chance to whittle down what we didn’t need, and make it fun with the things we wanted. And now that the whole “purging” stage is done, it was time to establish a few little systems that actually work.

A sweet reader Michelle wrote us recently and said, “I’m a big bath person. As in, I take them all the time. I dream of owning a claw foot tub but for my little process, I find them lacking on space around them to actually use things. I’m used to a ledge. You know, like a book or bubble bath or my drink or all of the other things I like to have at arm’s length if I’ll be soaking for a spell. Do you have any ideas for organizing those kinds of things in the bathroom in a real way? Thank you so much for your time!”

Michelle was totally right. I’ve never been a bath person before, but quickly became one with our new addition. I think mainly it was because the old tub was pretty shallow and basically uncomfortable, but also because it’s become my literal calgon-take-me-away, disturb-me-and-I’ll-cut-you, time. So, we made two purchases that ended up being simple solutions, and combined them with some super cheap ideas that upped the ante.

The kids say that mommy got all fancy with her baths. I think I agree.

First up: The bath cart.

No, it’s not a literal bath cart. I could do an actual round up of carts if you wanted, {there’s even this super cute one from Ikea that would have clashed with our blue walls} But we purchased this one from World Market when it was on sale a few months ago, and have absolutely loved it. I can simply pull it over to the side when I’m ready to use it, and when I’m not, it’s not in the way. I simply push it back over to the corner.

Everything stays organized in the meantime, and I don’t have to individually carry things over when I want them. Because baths shouldn’t feel exhausting.

And then I decided to up the ante. I grabbed up a lot of the milk bottles and smaller bottles they’ve had at the dollar spot at our local Target, and transferred our little collection of bath crystals, oatmeal baths, bubble baths etc. into nicer bottles. I just organized them with little stickers I found there too. I picked letters to stand for their scent that would remind me what they are – and use them that way. Sometimes, it’s just so much easier to keep it simple.

For just a few dollars, we have a boutique feel in our bathroom.

This little cart even holds my sugar scrubs…

Pedi supplies, loofas…

handmade soaps, and essential oils. 

It was only a little bit of an investment for a fancy pants kinda feel.

The kids love the idea, {because I’m a good mom and totally share – cue self back patting} they even pick a different “flavor” for their baths every night. Emerson is currently into the glitter bath crystal variety, but it’s super handy to have bath oils like peppermint and lavender handy, especially for the coming months.

Tada! A little something for everyone.

Second: The reading station

I believe one must be able to indulge in a good read in the tub. Or at least have the option to. {Read: Yes, I’m one of those people who can’t sit still for long.}

Well, we originally thought we would build something. I sat in the tub and we measured the sides and decided that because of the faucet placement, a regular old bath tray just wasn’t going to cut it. There was no room for it to extend over the sides in a stable way, at a comfortable placement. So if we built one, the tray would either be right in front of my chest so I couldn’t move my arms, or at my feet where I would have to swim down to it.

Yes, I do swim in my tub a-la Peewee’s Big Adventure.

So back to world market we went, and decided on this: A laptop desk. Because sometimes it’s fun to not DIY things. It was the perfect solution for the whole bath side arrangement.

Candles, magazines and my handy dandy back scrubber are all within reach, but also out of the way.

Don’t laugh at my back scrubber. You know you want one, too.

Little gal has been all about the new accessories. She wants big girl baths like mommy. {Cue more self-important back pats. More sharing. They just love the tub, despite my best intentions to keep them quarantined to “their” bathroom. Can we blame them?}

When it’s not in the bathroom, We use it in the living room to work, and store it in our closet.

Sometimes, sticking to those little rituals that make your day a little better are totally worth it. And these were my solutions to keep it fun and easy, while feeling a little bit luxurious without the huge ridiculous costs. Or feeling like a spent hours building something. Because sometimes, that’s nice too.

Hurray for soothing bath routines, + storage solutions that make them easy.

I hope this helps your questions, Michelle. It’s always a little different for everyone, but being a newfound bath person, I found that these work for me! I’m a big have-my-cake-and-eat-it-too kinda gal.

I want to hear from you guys, too. What do you do that makes your bath routine a little easier with storage solutions? Any ideas you’ve used that make it feel special?

Have an inspired day!