10 Ways to Design Your Master Bath for Maximum Storage
Get ideas for building storage into your bathroom with cabinets, shelves, drawers, benches and more
Laura Gaskill
December 4, 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
When you’re tackling a bathroom remodel — whether with the help of a bathroom designer, architect or contractor —including ample, efficient storage is an important consideration. Read on for 10 inspiring examples of master bathrooms that get storage right, and see if one (or more) of these ideas might work in your space.
1. Upper Cabinets
Upper cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling can offer lots of extra storage space, even in a not-huge bathroom. Consider mixing up cabinets with solid doors, glass doors and open shelving for a visually interesting look that also provides the perfect spot to stash different kinds of items, as seen in this space from Martinkovic Milford Architects.
Work with a bathroom designer on Houzz
Upper cabinets that reach all the way to the ceiling can offer lots of extra storage space, even in a not-huge bathroom. Consider mixing up cabinets with solid doors, glass doors and open shelving for a visually interesting look that also provides the perfect spot to stash different kinds of items, as seen in this space from Martinkovic Milford Architects.
Work with a bathroom designer on Houzz
2. Extra-Long Vanity
If you’re lucky enough to have a large space to work with, why not fill it with an extra-long storage-packed vanity? A standard double-sink vanity is 60 to 72 inches long (up to 6 feet), while the one shown here from Blackband Design measures in at just under 12 feet long. That’s a lot of storage space for toiletries — and counter space to make use of.
Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom
If you’re lucky enough to have a large space to work with, why not fill it with an extra-long storage-packed vanity? A standard double-sink vanity is 60 to 72 inches long (up to 6 feet), while the one shown here from Blackband Design measures in at just under 12 feet long. That’s a lot of storage space for toiletries — and counter space to make use of.
Key Measurements to Make the Most of Your Bathroom
3. Freestanding Shelving
Freestanding pieces — like the pair of étagères shown in this space designed by Wendy Glaister Interiors — allows you to introduce color and texture along with extra storage. If you want to ensure your master bath feels as rich and varied as any other room in the house, this may be a good option.
Browse freestanding bathroom cabinets on Houzz
Freestanding pieces — like the pair of étagères shown in this space designed by Wendy Glaister Interiors — allows you to introduce color and texture along with extra storage. If you want to ensure your master bath feels as rich and varied as any other room in the house, this may be a good option.
Browse freestanding bathroom cabinets on Houzz
4. Storage Bench
With a fireplace and roomy freestanding tub, I doubt you’d ever want to leave this bathroom. But this space also hides a storage secret — a sleek built-in storage bench perfect for perching by the fire and stashing spare towels.
With a fireplace and roomy freestanding tub, I doubt you’d ever want to leave this bathroom. But this space also hides a storage secret — a sleek built-in storage bench perfect for perching by the fire and stashing spare towels.
5. Bathtub-Adjacent Shelving
If your master bath includes a freestanding tub, consider adding open shelving nearby, as in this space from Old Hillsboro Building Co. The positioning makes it perfect for keeping bath products and fluffy towels within reach.
If your master bath includes a freestanding tub, consider adding open shelving nearby, as in this space from Old Hillsboro Building Co. The positioning makes it perfect for keeping bath products and fluffy towels within reach.
6. Spa Storage
Have a little nook to fill? Think about adding a small changing area like you might find in a spa. With a bench seat, hooks for robes and a shelf of neatly rolled towels, this Clarity Home Interiors bath sets a Zen-like tone.
Have a little nook to fill? Think about adding a small changing area like you might find in a spa. With a bench seat, hooks for robes and a shelf of neatly rolled towels, this Clarity Home Interiors bath sets a Zen-like tone.
7. Dressing Room
If you’re remodeling your master bedroom as well as the bath, it’s important to think about flow between the two spaces. Would positioning a dressing area closer to the bathroom make getting ready more convenient? If so, you might want to look into a setup similar to the one seen here from ID.ology Interiors & Design, with a dresser-like island in the center and ample ceiling-height wardrobes along the wall.
If you’re remodeling your master bedroom as well as the bath, it’s important to think about flow between the two spaces. Would positioning a dressing area closer to the bathroom make getting ready more convenient? If so, you might want to look into a setup similar to the one seen here from ID.ology Interiors & Design, with a dresser-like island in the center and ample ceiling-height wardrobes along the wall.
8. Glass-Front Cabinets
Recessed cabinets with glass fronts offer a sleek take on bathroom storage. In this space by North Star Kitchens, a high-contrast palette and warm gold-colored hardware partners with streamlined cabinetry to create a rich, elegant look.
Find a cabinet professional on Houzz
Recessed cabinets with glass fronts offer a sleek take on bathroom storage. In this space by North Star Kitchens, a high-contrast palette and warm gold-colored hardware partners with streamlined cabinetry to create a rich, elegant look.
Find a cabinet professional on Houzz
9. Dressing Table
Tired of makeup and toiletries scattered across the countertops? A dressing table might be the remedy you need. Filling out the corner of this bathroom by Plain and Posh, a dressing table separates a pair of sinks to provide a serene spot to sit — and plenty of space to spread out.
Tired of makeup and toiletries scattered across the countertops? A dressing table might be the remedy you need. Filling out the corner of this bathroom by Plain and Posh, a dressing table separates a pair of sinks to provide a serene spot to sit — and plenty of space to spread out.
10. Open Shelves
Having ample storage hidden behind closed doors is essential to creating a master bath that feels peaceful and uncluttered. That said, it’s equally helpful to have a bit of space dedicated to items you want to be able to grab quickly and easily — and for that, open shelves are just the ticket. In this space from Rochelle Cote Interior Design, lower shelves hold fresh towels; wall shelves display decor; and everything else is tucked neatly away in drawers and behind cabinet doors.
More on Houzz
Top Styles, Colors and Upgrades for Master Bath Remodels in 2019
Find a pro to work on your bathroom remodel
Shop for bathroom products
Having ample storage hidden behind closed doors is essential to creating a master bath that feels peaceful and uncluttered. That said, it’s equally helpful to have a bit of space dedicated to items you want to be able to grab quickly and easily — and for that, open shelves are just the ticket. In this space from Rochelle Cote Interior Design, lower shelves hold fresh towels; wall shelves display decor; and everything else is tucked neatly away in drawers and behind cabinet doors.
More on Houzz
Top Styles, Colors and Upgrades for Master Bath Remodels in 2019
Find a pro to work on your bathroom remodel
Shop for bathroom products
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I get small ideas from looking at HOUZZ....I enjoy looking at houses that aren't typical. If you want to go look at regular houses..go to open houses in your area.
In my tiny bathroom I increased the storage space by using a vessel sink which opens the area underneath and installing a set of drawers plus a tall cabinet that reaches the ceiling and rests on the counter. There's not a lot of counter space but things are put away and that's how I like it.
I love #9, as our primary bath has a similar 3-sided/angled makeup/dressing table in between, but no medicine chest on any of the planes. I've asked my husband to install on above the middle section, but would also like to store/hide my water pic and blow dryer so wasn't sure how to do that. This picture helps!
As for concerns raised by folks re: hooks for towels, we had the "it won't dry" issue when I first started using hooks for our towels. We solved the problem by mounting the hooks on small blocks of wood which stick out a couple of inches. That gives just enough room for air to circulate and our towels now dry quickly. By my vanity, I had my husband mount glass knobs on a board to hang my washcloth and hand towel.