Bathroom Beautiful!

If you're like me, the bathroom isn't just a bathroom. It's an oasis, where I can relax, hide behind some steam and a shower curtain and just BE. And think. I do my best thinking in the shower. Seriously, I can solve the world's problems in the comfort of my shower.

However, the bathroom is often the most neglected room of the house, decorating wise. Why is that? We spend a significant amount of time in there, why shouldn't it look amazing? Aren't we worth it? Aren't our guests worth it too?
Good, I'm glad we're in agreement. Now here are some tips from my most favorite magazine/website, Real Simple, as well as a few of my own.

1. Old wooden crates make great holders for extra toilet paper and rolled bath towels. You can find these crates at antique stores or sometimes yard sales. And no, don't go and get the cheapy plastic milk crates either. This isn't college and no, it won't look pretty. The aim is for ease of access AND elegance. Keep these by the toilet or the tub.

2. Turn an unused nightstand into storage for small towels, makeup, hair tools and accessories, and toiletries. A nightstand with drawers is preferable. And remember... a coat of paint does wonders for that pressboard el-cheapo night stand from walmart. Just a suggestion.

3.  A sink skirt hides a multiude of sins and cleaning supplies. I'm just saying. You can make one out of an old bedsheet. Here are the details.

4. When your tub lacks wide ledges where you can stow your bath products, hang a multilevel, wire fruit basket for additional space. I LOVE THIS IDEA. It is so much more "put together" than leaving your toiletries just sitting out. (see the picture at the bottom of the post)

5. A shelf rack with hooks is a space-saving answer for small bathrooms. Think shelf-coat rack, but with towels and bathrobes.

6. Bathbeads or salts often come in pretty jars, but when you run out of salts, then what? Use the jars for cotton balls or q-tips, and store out on the vanity. The jars are often lovely, so why not show them off, and make them work a double shift?

7. Use mismatched, unused or mate-less serving pieces to store toiletries. A tea cup without a partner is a great place for cotton balls, or a demitasse cup for earrings, rings, whathaveyous. This tip also applies to pieces that might be chipped.  A no-no in the dining room creates character and charm in the bathroom.

8. Put out some fresh cut flowers in the bathroom. It makes the room seem  more inviting, and it is also a great, sneaky way to feign luxury. No one has to know they came from Kroger (or, even better, the back yard)

9. One lower-cost solution to old bathroom tiles: blunt the behind-the-times tile color by painting the walls a complimentary color for a more cheerful (and less cheesy) scheme. But if the tiles are avocado green or pink... for heaven's sake RE-TILE.


And don't forget to set out your best towels, the nice soaps and the fancy French bath salts. This is YOUR space, and life is too short not to use the best stuff. So relax and enjoy.

Bubbily yours,
Nay