Free Storage for the Bathroom

Well, I'm back today to share with you a bit of a bathroom update. After Jonathan installed the rest of the beadboard, I decided that it was time to work on the storage space a bit. In this small bathroom, storage has to be very efficient. You don't want something that is so big it holds everything you need it to, but overwhelms the space. It's a delicate balance to strike. 

If you remember, we had a dresser (that was left behind by the previous homeowners) in the corner. It was an easy storage option and the best part about it was that it was free! I liked that it offered a way to conceal all that we needed to keep in the bathroom, but I really didn't like how it looked. It was a bit to blah for me. 

(Yes, that is a REALLY old picture...our bathroom has come a long way if you ask me!)

So, this time around, I decided to do something a bit more styled. As with the last time, I had to work with what we had and the price tag was going to have to be z-e-r-o. After racking my brain and trying a couple of options that didn't quite work:

(I love the idea of the crates, but there wasn't quite enough storage space.) 

I landed on this option:

A bit of a combination of the crates and more storage! Perfect. The green shelf was actually being used as a storage unit in our garage. We found it on the side of the road one day and decided that we could bring it home and spruce it up! Well, it never actually made it into the house until this past weekend. It was just waiting for the perfect spot to call home.

I had to do some major scrubbing to it, but I think it cleaned up nicely. After going through all of the storage containers that I had on hand, this is the arrangement that I came up with. Jonathan and I each have a shelf and the other shelves store medicine, toilet paper, and a few daily-used things such as q-tips and cotton balls.

 The crate to the side stores all of our bath towels and hand towels and then the brown box under the green shelving unit stores all of our wash clothes. The brown lidded basket to the right side of the crate, holds all of the bottles that are too tall to fit on the shelving unit. I'm not sure they will stay that way forever, but for now it works.

My favorite part is the top shelf. I love that there is a bit of bamboo in our bathroom--gives it a spa like feel. Also, the washboard seems to be a natural accent to the room. Finally, the depression glass bowl (thank's grandma!) filled with soap, gives a bit of beauty to something functional. Plus, it makes the bathroom smell wonderful!

Another thing that I really love is the scrapbook paper that I added to the shelving. It made the unit a bit more cheerful and also makes each piece on the shelf really pop. These anthropologie bowls make a great necessities holder when combined with the turquoise fiesta bread plate.

Who says dinnerware can only function at the table? I think it's great to pull these fun accents into an unexpected space.

I love the new set up! Plus, I already got the seal of approval from the carpenter. Last night, out of the blue, he said that he loves the new set up! Awesomesauce. :)