10 Storage Rules for a Neat En Suite
Beef up the storage in your en-suite bathroom with these savvy ideas
There’s no such thing as too much storage – and that goes for every room in the house. And nowhere is the ‘more storage’ mantra more pertinent than in the spatially challenged en-suite bathroom. What might be little more than a postage stamp-sized area somehow needs to fit in various pieces of kit (basin, shower) as well as offering a place to stash all of our bathroom bits and bobs. But never fear, help is at hand with a storage masterclass that will turn your cluttered en suite into a haven of relaxation…
Add a slice of colour
If you’ve packed a tiny room with cupboards, distract the eye from all those doors with a big bolt of colour. While this mix of wall-to-wall white cabinets and mirrored cupboards solves the storage dilemma brilliantly, the slash of lipstick-pink glass brings the room to life and highlights the widest section of the space.
If you’ve packed a tiny room with cupboards, distract the eye from all those doors with a big bolt of colour. While this mix of wall-to-wall white cabinets and mirrored cupboards solves the storage dilemma brilliantly, the slash of lipstick-pink glass brings the room to life and highlights the widest section of the space.
Go bonkers for boxes
Baskets, boxes and trunks can transform a set of shelves into a practical and tailored storage wall. Use big hessian bins for dirty towels and robes, and slimmer rattan baskets for stashing make-up, toiletries, spare toothbrushes, cotton wool and other bathroom paraphernalia. This is a great way of solving your storage problems without the heftier cost of a bespoke solution.
Baskets, boxes and trunks can transform a set of shelves into a practical and tailored storage wall. Use big hessian bins for dirty towels and robes, and slimmer rattan baskets for stashing make-up, toiletries, spare toothbrushes, cotton wool and other bathroom paraphernalia. This is a great way of solving your storage problems without the heftier cost of a bespoke solution.
Do your maths
Built-in cupboards maximise every last inch of space in the bathroom. This tailor-made vanity unit is a jigsaw of cubbyholes, plus it houses a pull-out set of steps for easy access to the window. The bath panel also contains a discreet door hiding the ideal space for cleaning kit.
It’s important not to fight against the architectural integrity of a room, and the choice of rich wood here adds to the rustic edge of the exposed stonework.
Explore more ways to introduce a soothing rustic vibe
Built-in cupboards maximise every last inch of space in the bathroom. This tailor-made vanity unit is a jigsaw of cubbyholes, plus it houses a pull-out set of steps for easy access to the window. The bath panel also contains a discreet door hiding the ideal space for cleaning kit.
It’s important not to fight against the architectural integrity of a room, and the choice of rich wood here adds to the rustic edge of the exposed stonework.
Explore more ways to introduce a soothing rustic vibe
Trick the eye with space-enhancers
There are two main storage rules when it comes to small en suites: choose pieces that are mirrored or floating – and this scheme has both.
Big blocks of reflective material will boost light and visually double the space, while wall-hung units will create the illusion of extra floor space (and make it easier to clean underneath). Install a variety of downlights and wall washers to illuminate the space well, so you can see right to the corners, and pepper the closed-off cupboards with open shelving to add interest.
There are two main storage rules when it comes to small en suites: choose pieces that are mirrored or floating – and this scheme has both.
Big blocks of reflective material will boost light and visually double the space, while wall-hung units will create the illusion of extra floor space (and make it easier to clean underneath). Install a variety of downlights and wall washers to illuminate the space well, so you can see right to the corners, and pepper the closed-off cupboards with open shelving to add interest.
Utilise the architecture
Sometimes, it pays to look outside the confines of off-the-peg storage, especially when you’re dealing with tricky architecture and unusual layouts. Bespoke options will cost you more, but the tailor-made service will give you precisely the storage you want, whatever size the room.
This en-suite is open-plan to the bedroom, so needed to be kept as pared back as possible. The solution was to make use of the ‘corridor’ between the bedroom and bathroom areas with a bank of slim drawers and cupboards in the same colour as the wall.
Sometimes, it pays to look outside the confines of off-the-peg storage, especially when you’re dealing with tricky architecture and unusual layouts. Bespoke options will cost you more, but the tailor-made service will give you precisely the storage you want, whatever size the room.
This en-suite is open-plan to the bedroom, so needed to be kept as pared back as possible. The solution was to make use of the ‘corridor’ between the bedroom and bathroom areas with a bank of slim drawers and cupboards in the same colour as the wall.
Exploit verticals
En-suite bathrooms are notoriously short on space, so don’t forget to exploit every smidgen of wall space with long, skinny storage cupboards running virtually up to the ceiling.
Choose handle-free doors for an even slicker silhouette and a monochrome palette for a crisp edge.
En-suite bathrooms are notoriously short on space, so don’t forget to exploit every smidgen of wall space with long, skinny storage cupboards running virtually up to the ceiling.
Choose handle-free doors for an even slicker silhouette and a monochrome palette for a crisp edge.
Style up glass shelves
I love the old-fashioned apothecary vibe that crisp glass shelves bring to any bathroom. In the en-suite, utilise slim cubbyholes and spare recesses with ladders of clear glass shelves and display all of your pretty perfume bottles, sprays and jars in a chic – and easy-to-reach – fashion.
I love the old-fashioned apothecary vibe that crisp glass shelves bring to any bathroom. In the en-suite, utilise slim cubbyholes and spare recesses with ladders of clear glass shelves and display all of your pretty perfume bottles, sprays and jars in a chic – and easy-to-reach – fashion.
Do a double
If you have the space, a double vanity unit with sunken bowls and large cupboards underneath will serve you well in the en suite. The palette of unassuming neutrals belies the huge storage capabilities of this star piece, with its beautiful, handle-free doors that stretch neatly from wall to wall.
Echo the look with a stretched-out mirror and sleek (and space-saving) wall-hung taps.
If you have the space, a double vanity unit with sunken bowls and large cupboards underneath will serve you well in the en suite. The palette of unassuming neutrals belies the huge storage capabilities of this star piece, with its beautiful, handle-free doors that stretch neatly from wall to wall.
Echo the look with a stretched-out mirror and sleek (and space-saving) wall-hung taps.
Vamp up the vintage
Creating great storage in the en suite doesn’t necessarily mean squeezing in as many boxed-in, wall-to-wall cabinets as is architecturally possible. If you prefer a more laid-back, relaxed style, try a freestanding vanity unit (as big as you can fit in without overcrowding the room) with a cupboard, drawers or cubbyhole below, plus space on top for all your toiletries.
This distressed, watery blue paint effect fits in harmoniously with the tongue and groove panelling, while the wall-mounted radiator doubles up for towel storage.
TELL US…
Have you souped up the storage in your en suite? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Creating great storage in the en suite doesn’t necessarily mean squeezing in as many boxed-in, wall-to-wall cabinets as is architecturally possible. If you prefer a more laid-back, relaxed style, try a freestanding vanity unit (as big as you can fit in without overcrowding the room) with a cupboard, drawers or cubbyhole below, plus space on top for all your toiletries.
This distressed, watery blue paint effect fits in harmoniously with the tongue and groove panelling, while the wall-mounted radiator doubles up for towel storage.
TELL US…
Have you souped up the storage in your en suite? Please share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
White will always be a clever design tool for making any room appear that little bit bigger. Look closely and you’ll see this en-suite bathroom is crammed with masses of cupboard space but, being wrapped in white, the generous storage melds into the background. The band of mirrored wall cupboards elongates the ‘white effect’ even further and the end result is fresh and practical in equal measure.
Browse more white bathrooms for elegant bathing