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I freely admit I’m a maximalist when it comes to home decor. My room is a mish-mash of colourful prints, books, knick-knacks, tarot cards, wall hangings, and plants, and that’s exactly how I like it.
However, this mentality means that space is hard to come by, especially in a tiny flat. Keeping communal spaces clutter-free yet stylish is a huge hurdle we’ve all had to cross at some point, and in the case of my home, the bathroom was an immediate point of conflict—or at least some side-eye between flatmates. The point stands: Keeping a small bathroom free of junk and still looking cute is a hard task.
It is possible, though, I promise. The following items and ideas will not only allow you to inject some style into your small bathroom but also keep things clean and functional.
1. Buy a new showerhead—right now
A new showerhead can turn your bathroom from drab to fab. Credit: Amazon
This has been a game-changer in every apartment I’ve ever lived in. There’s nothing gloomier than poor water pressure, especially if your bathroom is already old and dreary. Replacing the showerhead with a shiny new number will deliver better water pressure and upgrade your bathroom in a big way, and it can go a long way toward making a small bathroom seem more luxurious.
This particular showerhead is my favourite. It has 24 different functions and easy-to-change settings, and it offers an extremely luxe shower experience at a low price. You can also check out our post on the best showerheads if you need more options.
Get the Hydroluxe Handheld Showerhead & Rain Shower Combo from Amazon for £42.53
2. Invest in shelving to manage clutter
Over-the-toilet units provide a lot more storage space. Credit: Wayfair
I didn't love the idea of over-the-toilet shelving until we got it in my flat, and now I’m a convert. The bathroom feels much more functional and personalized, as the shelving lets us to display storage baskets and tiny plants without losing any space.
This shelving unit is perfect for your over-the-toilet needs, and its neutral design will work nicely with any other accents you already have. It's easy to assemble and stands free from the wall, so you won't run into any issues if you have lease restrictions.
Get the Hoschton Over the Toilet Shelf from Wayfair for £113.99
3. Get some baskets for those new shelves
Baskets can help organise all your bathroom essentials. Credit: Amazon
Don’t stop at the shelving—organise! Investing in storage baskets will increase the storage space in your bathroom, and it will also allow you to stay organised, preventing future clutter.
As a maximalist, I love the look of "stuff" in a room, so these wire storage baskets were the move. They are understated enough to work well with anything else you have going on in your bathroom. They also have the added bonus of being lightweight, making them easy to move around and reorganise if needed.
Get the InterDesign Wire Basket from Wayfair for £35.99
4. Update your bath mat A stylish bath mat can brighten up your space.
A stylish bath mat can brighten up your space. Credit: Reviewed / Kori Perten
Bathroom decor can go a long way toward livening up a space and making it feel larger. If your floor is darker, a pale grey or blue rug can help open up space and tie the room together. If the floor is light, darker shades can create a focal point for the rest of the room.
This bath mat was one of our favourites during testing. It's available in 3 colours and is incredibly absorbent.
Get the AmazonBasics Bath Mat from Amazon for £8.99
5. Switch out your mirror for a more modern style
A bigger, more modern mirror will create the illusion of more space. Credit: Wayfair
We’ve all grudgingly accepted mirrors with cracked edges and weird dimensions at some point in our lives, but you don’t have to live like that any longer. A larger mirror will create the illusion of increased space in your bathroom and is ultimately a functional addition, as well.
Get the Carmon Round Vanity Mirror from Wayfair for £153.99
6. Organise the space under the sink
Tame the mess under your sink with these stacking baskets. Credit: Amazon
I live with two guys and one other woman, so creating separate, individual space in the bathroom is important not only for our sanity but also to avoid losing your hairbrush to the abyss of cleaning supplies and deodorant. Under-the-sink storage bins have been incredibly helpful for creating personal space in our small bathroom, and they've ultimately kept the room cleaner, as well.
These two-tier storage baskets sit on top of one another and the baskets can be removed from the racks, making for easy cleaning and reorganizing. In our bathroom, we stacked two similar models under the sink with plenty of room leftover.
Get the 2 Tier Sliding Steel Shelves From Amazon for £17.99
7. Hang a shower caddy
A shower caddy will provide extra space for soap, shampoo, and more. Credit: Amazon
Am I the only one who can't get near the bath without knocking something over? You can avoid the problem of cluttered bath products on the edges of the tub by investing in a shower caddy.
This stainless steel caddy hangs over your showerhead or can be mounted to the wall. It boasts six angled shelves, as well as two soap shelves and hooks for razors and sponges. Plus, you can prevent it from swinging using the suction cups at the back. Just like that, you have a storage solution that everyone in the flat can agree on—assuming all parties can agree on which shelf they want.
Get the mDesign Hanging Shower Caddy from Amazon for £21.99
8. De-steam the room with an upgraded bathroom fan
Clear steam out of the bathroom faster with a new fan. Credit: Amazon
Small bathrooms fill with steam quickly, and no one likes standing in a hot cloud upon exiting the shower, especially in the warmer months. This exhaust fan will efficiently remove steam from your small bathroom, making the space more functional since your flatmates won’t have to wait for the fog to clear to get ready for work. Reviewers enjoy how quiet this fan is, and how easy it is to wipe clean.
Get the Xpelair Simply Silent Contour Extractor Fan from Amazon for £31.95
9. Hang towels behind the door
The staggered hooks provide room for all your towels. Credit: Amazon
Hiding your bulky towels behind the door will help give the illusion of space in your bathroom while helping the linens dry out. This over-the-door towel rack has staggered hooks to allow for even more storage space, and it comes in both chrome and bronze to match your existing fixtures. The rack also comes in three sizes, so make sure to measure your door before purchasing.
Get the iDesign Classico Door Clothes Hanger from Amazon for £10.99
10. Throw out your old shower liner
A clean shower liner will make your bathroom much more welcoming. Credit: Amazon
If your shower liner is old, discoloured, and maybe even a little mouldy, chances are you avoid touching it at all costs. If this sounds like your life, it's time for a new liner. This inexpensive shower liner will keep your space free of mould and mildew, allowing you to wash off without shrinking back against the wall in horror every time you turn around.
Get the LiBa Mildew Resistant Anti-Bacterial PEVA 8G Shower Curtain Liner from Amazon for £15.49
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