Door mounts. Don't neglect any square inch in your quest to maximize comfort and functionality in your bathroom. Especially in a small bathroom thinking beyond wall space to take advantage of doors and even windowsills can improve flow and open up design possibilities.
In place of a vanity stool. Another place you might put your personal towels is in a recess where a vanity stool might otherwise go. If you have the space and find you rarely sit down there park a rack there and always have a towel within reach after washing your hands. A separate towel rack on the wall offers ample room for dry towels to warm while their user is showering and for damp towels to dry out.
The man of the house. If you're outnumbered by the females in your household or you tend to take a back seat when it comes to the home could it be time to take a stand — literally as well as figuratively — and put your own stamp on the bathroom?
Tool chests are not just for the handy. They can be a solid piece of furniture with ample storage. Their typical sizes — 18 to 48 inches wide and in a variety of heights and depths — can easily fit the space next to a bed. Most tool chests come in a glossy color — red and black being the most common — and can be purchased for less than $100. Or perhaps you have one in your garage just waiting to be repurposed. Either way a tool chest is a multifunctional storage piece that can add character and quirk to your bedroom. Tip: Try a tool chest as a nightstand in a kid's room. The bright colors multiple drawers and small scale can add useful storage and a pop of color to your child or teen's room.
Feature wall. Most of the previous solutions are optimal in bathrooms lacking in wall space. If you do have a free surface you could easily incorporate your towel racks as part of a feature wall. Here a wood-paneled alcove features five towel bars that the bather can easily reach from the tub.
Glass screen. A glass screen or panel extends about 60 percent of the way across the side of the tub and is fixed to the wall with brackets or hinges. It can be stationary or have a door that swings out from the tub. A glass screen is a great option in small bathrooms because it takes up less space physically and visually since less glass and hardware are needed. A glass panel with a door that swings out because it fit the room's contemporary feel and makes the tile in the shower a focal point. The swinging door allows better access to the water controls.
Material Considerations. Glass thickness the thicker the glass the more durable your door or screen will be. If you are worried about it breaking the most glass doors and screens are made with tempered glass so that you won't have tiny shards in the bathroom if the glass does crack or break. Glass style: While clear glass is the most popular you also can find etched or frosted glass. Glass height: The top of the glass should go up at least to the top of the shower head. Hardware style: A glass screen or frameless glass door requires little hardware compared with a sliding or framed glass door. Clients often opt to use the same hardware finish as the shower head and tub faucet.
Build your tub right into your bathroom floor by sinking it in below floor level. This tub is formed from concrete then tiled for aesthetics and comfort. This can save you the hassle of installing a tub while giving you the benefits of a built-in feature — like the corner seat and step here.
Wooden bathtubs usually made from waterproofed marine wood add unexpected warmth to tile and stone bathrooms. This rectangular tub works well with an Asian-influenced design but I love that it can feel classic too.
Mind the door direction. Which way does the shower door swing? Locating your towels so they can be grabbed quickly minimizes the distance one must lean out of the shower stall and therefore minimizes the risk of slipping and falling or experiencing an uncomfortable chill from spending more than a couple of seconds outside the shower stall's steamy cocoon. If you only have one wall to hang your towels make sure to have your shower door mounted to open in the most convenient direction.
