9 Simple Updates That'll Make Any Bathroom Work Better
Ramp up the functionality of your bath zone with these easy and practical room-enhancing design tricks
Although aesthetics are important when it comes to bathroom design, style means squat if your bathing space falls short on functionality. With a few simple design tweaks, you can transform your bathroom into a space that not only works better but looks better as a result, too. From how to open up your bathroom to better traffic flow, to nifty tricks to help you maximise space and storage in your bath zone, here are nine simple room-enhancing updates that will make your bathroom work harder, smarter and more efficiently, too.
2. Install an exhaust fan
Does your bathroom suffer from poor ventilation? Short of ripping out a hole in your wall and fitting a window in its place, the next best thing is to install an exhaust fan in the ceiling. This simple update will help rid your bathroom of fog-inducing steam (the mortal enemy of bathroom mirrors); humid, mildew-producing air; and musty odours, creating a bathroom that’s healthier, safer and easier to clean. Plus, with improved airflow, foggy mirrors will be a thing of the past, which means you won’t have to wipe down or struggle to see yourself in the reflective surface, making your morning and nightly grooming routine more streamlined and a whole lot quicker, too.
Does your bathroom suffer from poor ventilation? Short of ripping out a hole in your wall and fitting a window in its place, the next best thing is to install an exhaust fan in the ceiling. This simple update will help rid your bathroom of fog-inducing steam (the mortal enemy of bathroom mirrors); humid, mildew-producing air; and musty odours, creating a bathroom that’s healthier, safer and easier to clean. Plus, with improved airflow, foggy mirrors will be a thing of the past, which means you won’t have to wipe down or struggle to see yourself in the reflective surface, making your morning and nightly grooming routine more streamlined and a whole lot quicker, too.
3. Make way for a multitasking stool
The simple addition of a stool can impact the functionality of a bathroom in a big way. Stools, like the one pictured here, not only provide a practical surface where you can rest your clothes and towel as you shower, but they can also double as a seat you can perch on while you towel down, apply moisturiser or primp in front of the mirror.
Stools can also prove particularly useful in bathrooms that lack adequate bath-side storage (which is sometimes the case in bath zones with freestanding tubs), as they can act as a makeshift side table that provides a convenient and permanent spot to stash bathing essentials, like shampoo and soap, within easy reach of the tub.
The simple addition of a stool can impact the functionality of a bathroom in a big way. Stools, like the one pictured here, not only provide a practical surface where you can rest your clothes and towel as you shower, but they can also double as a seat you can perch on while you towel down, apply moisturiser or primp in front of the mirror.
Stools can also prove particularly useful in bathrooms that lack adequate bath-side storage (which is sometimes the case in bath zones with freestanding tubs), as they can act as a makeshift side table that provides a convenient and permanent spot to stash bathing essentials, like shampoo and soap, within easy reach of the tub.
4. Cull bathroom clutter
Banishing clutter from your bathroom will instantly improve the functionality of the space. Go through your cupboards and drawers and bin anything that’s out of date, you no longer want or has been collecting dust for an age. Next, organise like items together (such as medicine, toiletries, skincare, make-up, electronic gadgets, etc.) and arrange them neatly in your cupboard and drawers. Remember to place frequently used items toward the front of your shelves or in your top drawer so they’re easily accessible.
If you want to make your bathroom storage even more efficient, invest in drawer dividers and organisers, or replace your cupboards with pull-out storage units. These time-saving, space-maximising solutions will ensure that your bathroom cabinets remain nice, orderly and easy to navigate.
9 steps to a clutter-free bathroom
Banishing clutter from your bathroom will instantly improve the functionality of the space. Go through your cupboards and drawers and bin anything that’s out of date, you no longer want or has been collecting dust for an age. Next, organise like items together (such as medicine, toiletries, skincare, make-up, electronic gadgets, etc.) and arrange them neatly in your cupboard and drawers. Remember to place frequently used items toward the front of your shelves or in your top drawer so they’re easily accessible.
If you want to make your bathroom storage even more efficient, invest in drawer dividers and organisers, or replace your cupboards with pull-out storage units. These time-saving, space-maximising solutions will ensure that your bathroom cabinets remain nice, orderly and easy to navigate.
9 steps to a clutter-free bathroom
5. Replace your threadbare bath mat
While bath mats are used to add visual appeal to a bathroom, they serve an important practical purpose, too. Not only do they soak up puddles from the shower and stop wet footprints from slicking up your tiles (which can make your floor slippery and hazardous), but they also provide a cosy and warm surface that cushions your feet when you step out of the shower, unlike cold, hard, shiver-inducing floor tiles. But a bath mat can’t do its job and make your bathroom safer, easier to clean and more comfortable if it’s threadbare and not up to the task.
When searching for your perfect bath mat match, look for a rug that’s plush and super absorbent (such as a shaggy deep-pile mat), has a slip-resistant back and is easy to clean. You might also like to consider choosing a mat in a dark hue, as it will be more forgiving when it comes to dirty foot prints and other marks.
While bath mats are used to add visual appeal to a bathroom, they serve an important practical purpose, too. Not only do they soak up puddles from the shower and stop wet footprints from slicking up your tiles (which can make your floor slippery and hazardous), but they also provide a cosy and warm surface that cushions your feet when you step out of the shower, unlike cold, hard, shiver-inducing floor tiles. But a bath mat can’t do its job and make your bathroom safer, easier to clean and more comfortable if it’s threadbare and not up to the task.
When searching for your perfect bath mat match, look for a rug that’s plush and super absorbent (such as a shaggy deep-pile mat), has a slip-resistant back and is easy to clean. You might also like to consider choosing a mat in a dark hue, as it will be more forgiving when it comes to dirty foot prints and other marks.
6. Add extra storage with a medicine cabinet
Replacing your bathroom mirror with a large mirrored medicine cabinet is an ideal solution for those of you who, like me, aren’t blessed with a large bathing space and need to improve the storage capacity of your bath area, but without using up precious floor space.
When shopping around for a medicine cabinet, look for a hardworking design (or have a custom one made) that provides plenty of storage and loads of other practical features, too. Think energy-efficient sensor lights that illuminate the inside of the cabinet; handy in-built power points; ergonomic touch-operated doors; and a mirrored interior that allows you to find items placed at the back of the storage unit in a snap.
Should you put the medicine cabinet on the bathroom wall or in it?
Replacing your bathroom mirror with a large mirrored medicine cabinet is an ideal solution for those of you who, like me, aren’t blessed with a large bathing space and need to improve the storage capacity of your bath area, but without using up precious floor space.
When shopping around for a medicine cabinet, look for a hardworking design (or have a custom one made) that provides plenty of storage and loads of other practical features, too. Think energy-efficient sensor lights that illuminate the inside of the cabinet; handy in-built power points; ergonomic touch-operated doors; and a mirrored interior that allows you to find items placed at the back of the storage unit in a snap.
Should you put the medicine cabinet on the bathroom wall or in it?
7. Light up your mirror with LEDs
Lining your mirror with energy-efficient LED lights will instantly make your bathroom pamper zone a whole lot more functional and user friendly, especially if the space was poorly lit to begin with. Take this bright, airy bathroom, for example. Here, LED lights run along all four sides of the large wall-mounted mirror, and deliver accent and mood-enhancing lighting to the space. The lights also ensure that the mirror is well lit, providing users with a clear, shadow-free view, so they can shave, floss, brush, pluck and put on make-up with ease.
Another benefit of LED strip lights is that they can also double as night lights. For best results, install a dimmer switch so you can adjust the intensity of the light accordingly.
Lining your mirror with energy-efficient LED lights will instantly make your bathroom pamper zone a whole lot more functional and user friendly, especially if the space was poorly lit to begin with. Take this bright, airy bathroom, for example. Here, LED lights run along all four sides of the large wall-mounted mirror, and deliver accent and mood-enhancing lighting to the space. The lights also ensure that the mirror is well lit, providing users with a clear, shadow-free view, so they can shave, floss, brush, pluck and put on make-up with ease.
Another benefit of LED strip lights is that they can also double as night lights. For best results, install a dimmer switch so you can adjust the intensity of the light accordingly.
8. Keep your toilet rolls within easy reach
There’s nothing worse than going to the toilet, only to discover there’s no toilet paper or spare rolls nearby. An easy way to make your space more efficient and conveniently organised, while saving you from the embarrassment of calling out to someone to come to your aid, is to place a basket that’s filled to the brim with spare rolls by your loo, rather than stashing them in your vanity or another storage space that’s not within arms reach.
There’s nothing worse than going to the toilet, only to discover there’s no toilet paper or spare rolls nearby. An easy way to make your space more efficient and conveniently organised, while saving you from the embarrassment of calling out to someone to come to your aid, is to place a basket that’s filled to the brim with spare rolls by your loo, rather than stashing them in your vanity or another storage space that’s not within arms reach.
Alternatively, if you desire a more orderly look, opt for a freestanding spare toilet roll holder, or take design cues from this compact water closet and install recessed cubby holes to house your spare rolls into your wall instead.
Where do you store the extra loo paper?
Where do you store the extra loo paper?
9. Reposition your vanity for optimum traffic flow
The bathroom is one of the busiest traffic zones in the home, so it should be designed accordingly. If you’re not happy with the layout of your bathroom, as you find that it easily gets congested during peak prep periods, one solution is to rethink the position of your vanity – the spot that sees the most action in your bath zone. If your vanity is located well away from the doorway or in an awkward, closed-in area, consider moving it to a spot that’s open and easily accessible from the room’s entrance, as this will help ease congestion and make your bathroom a more efficient, orderly and calming space to use, whether you’re preparing for your day or night ahead, or desire some dedicated relaxation and pamper time.
TELL US
What design tricks would you use to make your bathroom work better? We’d love to know, so share your thoughts – and photos of your bath area – in the Comments section.
MORE
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
10 Design Moves to Borrow From These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
10 Ways to Add Extra Storage to Your Bathroom
The bathroom is one of the busiest traffic zones in the home, so it should be designed accordingly. If you’re not happy with the layout of your bathroom, as you find that it easily gets congested during peak prep periods, one solution is to rethink the position of your vanity – the spot that sees the most action in your bath zone. If your vanity is located well away from the doorway or in an awkward, closed-in area, consider moving it to a spot that’s open and easily accessible from the room’s entrance, as this will help ease congestion and make your bathroom a more efficient, orderly and calming space to use, whether you’re preparing for your day or night ahead, or desire some dedicated relaxation and pamper time.
TELL US
What design tricks would you use to make your bathroom work better? We’d love to know, so share your thoughts – and photos of your bath area – in the Comments section.
MORE
How to Get Five More Years Out of Your Bathroom
12 Decorating Tricks to Make Small Bathrooms Work Harder
10 Design Moves to Borrow From These Tricked-Out Bathroom Cabinets
10 Ways to Add Extra Storage to Your Bathroom
If you’re planning on renovating your bathroom, a simple way to free up floor space is to ditch the idea of having a separate bath and shower, and work a shower-bath combo into the design instead. This space-enhancing trick will allow you to enjoy the best of both worlds – without compromising on your bathing needs and preferences – while providing more room for storage, as well as floor space to move around, too.
When it comes to choosing where to position your shower-bath, it may be easier (and more cost effective) to install a showerhead over your bath, rather than moving it to a completely different spot altogether, as doing so will save you from making extensive changes to your existing plumbing.
Standout shower-bath combos for smaller bathrooms