Clever storage, new linens and smarter organization can improve even the smallest spaces.
Oct. 9, 2018
An ugly bathroom is like an unwelcome houseguest — loud, messy, and difficult to get rid of. Renovations range from dauntingly expensive (for owners) to downright impossible (for renters). But there are a few easy ways to improve any bathroom with little effort and not much outlay.
Declutter and organize
A neater bathroom clears up mental space so your bathing and grooming routines run more smoothly. Start by assigning everything its place with a simple plastic organizer. Wirecutter, the New York Times company that reviews products, recommends the InterDesign Linus Medicine Cabinet Organizer because it provides plenty of organization without monopolizing the cabinet. If your space is really tight, MagnaPods are low-profile magnetic organizers that stick to the back of a medicine-cabinet mirror, taking advantage of the small gap between it and the shelves. You can learn more about these and other options in Wirecutter’s small bathroom guide.
Below-sink organizers — essentially, baskets on rollers that pull in and out like drawers — are another option. Wirecutter’s pick, the Silver 2-Drawer from the Container Store, has a bunch of handy but uncommon features, such as latches that keep the baskets from sliding out unbidden and an option to screw the frame into the rear of the cabinet for extra stability. And unlike some other models, it requires no assembly.
Add storage
If your medicine cabinet isn’t roomy enough to store your potions, lotions and accessories out of view, adding a wall-mounted cabinet can double your storage capacity. Wirecutter recommends IKEA’s Godmorgon cabinets for their seven different finishes and unparalleled 10-year warranty.
If you can’t mount a cabinet to your wall, a free-standing over-toilet cabinet is your next best alternative. These designs straddle the toilet on long legs, so no drilling is required. (But you should still anchor yours to the wall with an easily patchable screw, at least, to minimize the risk of a tip-over.) Whichever style you choose, cabinets with doors are preferable to open shelves, both for minimizing visual clutter and for keeping items from falling out. And wood or bamboo cabinets will stand up better to bathroom humidity than those made of MDF or particle board.
Refresh your linens
A set of matching (or artfully mismatched) towels and bath mats can help prettify a less-than-lovely space. The Frontgate Resort Cotton Towel is Wirecutter’s current favorite because it feels luxurious against wet skin and wears well over time.
Among absorbent, rug-style bath mats, Wirecutter’s favorite is the Lands’ End Supima Nonskid. It lives up to its nonskid name even after a thorough soaking, dries quickly and thoroughly, and it’s available in 12 colors. Among draining mats — grids of wood or other materials that are designed not to absorb but to let water flow through — Wirecutter likes the bamboo mat from ToiletTree because it feels smoother and more solid underfoot than its closest competitors.
Upgrade your shower
It’s easy to make your shower look and work better. A new shower head can be a huge improvement, and you don’t have to spend a lot: The budget pick in Wirecutter’s complete guide to shower heads is under $20. The same goes for a decent shower caddy. Wirecutter’s testing found the Simplehuman Adjustable Shower Caddy Plus offers more storage and flexibility in a strong, screw-clamp design that feels almost as stable as built-in shelving.
Few things can brighten a bathroom like a new shower curtain. Most of the picks in Wirecutter’s shower curtain guide come in multiple colors, but you can find a whole world of bold prints and bright patterns with a quick web search. (Here’s a tip: Do an image search for “shower curtain” plus the general design, color or theme you envision — say, “mountains.” It’s an efficient way to get a picture of what’s available — and what you may particularly like.) Pick up a plain shower liner — the fabric or plastic sheet that actually keeps water from splashing out of the shower — to go with it. Wirecutter’s recommendation, a Maytex liner, is made of washable, easy-care polyester.
Make cleanup easier
It’s difficult to imagine enjoying cleaning the bathroom, but the right tools can bring a smile to your face in the right circumstances. For example, the Wirecutter-recommended toilet brush from OXO hides unsightly bristles behind an elegant trap door that opens and closes automatically. And despite its dog-toy appearance, the Korky 99-4A earned Wirecutter’s approval as the best toilet plunger because it plunged with more force than any of the other 10 models tested on a custom-built clog simulator.
By Wirecutter Staff
