Planning Open vs. Closed Storage for Bath Design
Open shelving has become a huge trend in kitchen remodels and is taking off in bath design as well. It works in any space and brings character to a bland wall, displaying your favorite items. Cabinets have the benefit of neatly hiding away all your clutter though and play a key role in defining the style of your bath design. Which storage options should you choose for your next bathroom remodel? We’re here to help you decide.
OPEN STORAGE
If you have an awkward space in your bathroom, fill it with custom shelving. Corner shelving and purpose-built units under a sloped ceiling utilize spaces that would be too small for cabinetry. Niche shelving is another great way to integrate open storage into your bath renovation. At the design stage, plan where to include storage niches and then they can be tiled, such as in this shower design in Grosse Pointe Woods.
Plan what you’ll store in them to size them accordingly. A single shelf under a floating vanity can provide extra storage or a place to store neatly rolled up towels. Don’t forget the area around your tub or over your toilet which can have attractive bracket or floating shelving, such as in this bath design in Washington, MI.
Bath tidies are also a great form of open storage and come in a material to suit your style. Glass shelving works in all bath designs and lightens up any space. Just make sure to keep it smear and dust free. Why not try a piece of furniture such as a chair, ladder or cocktail table to display items in a unique way? Not everything can be displayed individually so containers play an important role in open storage. Small essentials can be stored in jars and bowls, with larger items going in boxes and baskets. Place containers from floor to ceiling in different textures or colors to bring personality and organization to your new bath remodel.
CLOSED STORAGE
The bathroom is a warm and humid place. Make sure you address adequate ventilation in your bathroom remodel, to avoid the nasty effects of mold or mildew. Quality bathroom cabinets protect their contents from damp conditions, and so can be beneficial for storing many items you want to keep away from moisture and steam. As we use so many electrical items like toothbrushes and razors, power outlets in medicine cabinets are very beneficial, such as this Rochester Hills addition.
Why not design custom cabinetry with outlets to store and power larger electrical equipment such as hairdryers or styling tools? While stylish and practical containers can store many things out in the open, there’s only so much you can display. Cabinets conceal all the things you want to keep hidden away, such as medicine or personal effects. This classic grey cabinetry with silver hardware stores everything in style in this Grosse Pointe bathroom remodel.
If you like the sleekness of closed storage with the added bonus of display and light, then try glass-front cabinets. Aside from clear, there’s colored, frosted or lead patterned glass to choose from and interiors that can be enhanced with lighting. Contents need to be kept tidy, but not dusted like those on open shelving.
Each type of bathroom storage has its pros and cons. There are many styles and materials to choose from though, so you will have a strong look for your bath design either way. If you’re still undecided, then why not try a mixture of both to be on trend. Explore our bathroom design gallery for further inspiration and talk to our experts today to get started on your show-stopping bath remodel.