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Storage Design Dilemma Bathrooms

wasted bathroom space

2 years ago

We’re soon to refurb the bathroom. There’s a huge amount of unused space. Behind the photograph there is extra storage as well, any ideas of how to use this unusual space would be welcome. It’s above the staircase so there’s no extra floor space to use unfortunately. It’s a very old farmhouse cottage and has a few quirky features.

Comments (12)

PRO
Kingfisher Designs
2 years ago
It might sound like an old idea, but given the clap board panelling and the whole cottage style you could make a really nice set of built in cupboards, something like an in frame design with lots of little doors for different compartments.
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you, that is a lovely idea.
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East Kent Eco - again thank you for your input. As a pro I wonder if you could offer your thoughts on a couple of scenarios 1 - Leave bath where it is - what would be involved in moving the shower 4-6 inches to the centre of the bath? I did consider the P shaped bath and will consider your suggestion for a shorter bath to allow room for the toilet, but I currently had to put in a door stop to protect the shower door from the entrance door handle and I would be concerned about a rounded door being even closer. If I left the bath where it is I have a couple of options, turning the toilet and cistern 90 degrees to the adjoining wall - see above for the considerations there, or I have also considered switching the toilet and sink. I would put the sink facing the wall where the cistern currently is have a large-ish vanity from the base of the bath to the wall, and the if the toilet was where the sink is it would not interfere with the doors for the hot press as the seat would be considerably lower than the sink is currently thus giving me the better access I want. In this scenario the main issue for me would be the toilet would be facing the entrance door, a bit unsightly but if it gave me the space I want I think I could live with the compromise. 2 - A bit more involved, but I have also considered moving the bath sideways along the short length of the room, shower end over the space where the cistern is currently and moving the sink and toilet to the space where the bath is currently. I think this would allow me room for a vanity and maybe also a tall storage cupboard for the towels and linens currently in the hot press. The obvious concern with this is the shower spray in the direction of the hot press, if I got the storage I needed elsewhere in the bathroom I wouldn't be concerned about those getting wet, but would want to ensure I don't end up with a leak over the stairs. Access would also be an issue if repairs were required for the shower pump or the hot water system. You would have to step into the bath to gain access. Is there a solution to waterproof the cupboard?
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It small But your cabin sink unit is a good idea as you have storage space and it looks neat. I have changed my bath many times to shower unit and it has leaked every time, some times it has been the plumbers fault or bad design then it was a visitor who let the water spill while showering the last time it flooded the insurers wanted the bathroom TANKED! meaning waterproof walls and floors. This is done by an experienced plumber contractor of repute! as the insurers said too many claims from too many people with bad waterproofing. the insurer said they would not insure again or any other clients who had not got their bathroom water proofed by expert plumber fitters. SO I have gone back to the Bath with a shower enclosed and found it tops for waterproof.
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pjdklm
2 years ago
I like the large scale mirror that you have there- it looks lovely. But all that depth is wasted. As Kingfisher Designs suggested, I would use that area for cupboards/ hidden shelving, ideally disguised behind a similar large single mirror door. One thing to consider is proper ventilation as I don’t think I saw an existing extractor fan.
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you, and there’s no extractor which we’ll need. Everything is being replaced. Hidden cupboards, as you’ve both suggested will be great additional storage, it’s something we’ll definitely do. It’s such wasted space but I can imagine some lovely storage now.
PRO
Kingfisher Designs
2 years ago
If you're going for cupboards, you can also hide the extractor stuff in them to keep the room tidy.
PRO
OnePlan
2 years ago
Could it be opened into the landing to give you more communal storage or even a laundry appliance stack ?
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Unfortunately it’s above the stairs so we couldn’t have a cupboard door on the other side. It can be opened up more on the left which is already a hidden storage space. It’s certainly big enough for appliances but we’re going to create a laundry room downstairs.
rinked
2 years ago
That radiator is lovely, are you keeping it?
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you, yes we are. I’m still undecided about the bath. It doesn’t have much effect and we could get a bigger bath if we put in a smaller vanity unit. The vanity unit there now is far too big for the space we have. I don’t like the shower either.
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you for all your very helpful advice.
PRO
Alice Clare Studio
2 years ago
I would definitely go for built in cupboard space in the bottom photo, as suggested by @Kingfisher Designs. If you made it about half the depth of the current 'shelf' space, you would still have a really useful surface to put things on as well. This would be especially useful if you made the basin smaller as you may end up with less space there.

When thinking about the bath don't forget to consider width as well as length, especially if this is your only/main shower. I find anything less than 800mm wide a bit too tight for showering. If you shower a lot and don't use the bath so much, have you considered a 'shower bath' shape? It's wider at the end with the shower and narrower at the head end which would give you more space in the room near the basin.

Good luck!
Maxine
Original Author
2 years ago
Great advice, thank you so much.

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