I think most of our hearts leap when we see an elegant bathtub with curved legs. It’s nice to think about what it would be like to read in the foam, by candlelight, in a romantic movie setting. I once stayed in a hotel and had a freestanding bath like this in the bathroom: I was overjoyed. Then, reaching into the tub, I noticed that there was nowhere to put my shower gel. Nowhere to put my towel, let alone my book, candle and bubble bath bottle…

Then I realised that I needed a modern bathroom where everything was handy and easy to keep clean. So I thought I’d put together some of the home organisation points you should consider when designing your new modern bathroom for a home renovation!

Features of a modern bathroom

When designing a bathroom, we operate within a tightly defined set of coordinates: the location of the plumbing and the size of the room are the limits of our imagination. So, whether it’s a spacious bathroom with a bath or a small apartment with a tiny shower cubicle, you need to make the most of the available square metres, ceiling height and layout.

However you juggle the best use of space, remember that the bathroom’s function is to clean and relax. 

Design for easy-to-clean, simple surfaces and a colour scheme that allows you to relax comfortably at the end of the day.

And modern solutions and minimalist style can help you do both. A modern shower panel that can also be used for massages may be more conducive to relaxation than a soak in the bath: it’s easier to manage space. An open shower cubicle can simplify cleaning and make it easier to create a uniquely shaped room. It’s worth looking around to see which of the latest fixtures and fittings suit our tastes and can help us design a new bathroom.

Modern bathroom design trends 

When making long-term decisions – such as about your bathroom – it’s important to consider current trends before deciding on your own ideas and tastes. The tiles in your bathroom will probably still be there in 10 years’ time. Even if the time for characterful red stripes has passed.

This year, there are a few trendy trends. One is the metallic, brass and gold accessory line, where these colours are worn on a faucet, cabinet handles and a few decorative elements. The perfect way to bring an antique keepsake into everyday life after a little refurbishment!

Another major trend is the spa-inspired mix of natural colours: stone, wood, bamboo, combined with soothing brown tones to help you relax at the end of the day.

Alongside these, of course, are the truly modern-effect bathrooms working with glass and metal, which are also on trend for 2018, and can be complemented with matt finishes or dark blue walls to add a twist to the clean look. This modern effect can’t be ignored with automatic soap dispensers.

Storage in the bathroom

Most inspiration pictures show vast spaces, so we rarely see concrete, practical use for these bathrooms. A symmetrical bathroom for husband and wife is super cute, but let’s face it, we’re not going to be able to achieve it in 10 square metres.

These spacious photos of modern bathrooms also forget about storage, even though most of us need to use the bathroom to store towels, bathroom accessories, lotions and shower gel in addition to the decorative glassware. Maybe cleaning products and washing accessories are also replaced here.

Keep it handy!

The primary organizing principle for bathroom storage is also to have on hand what you use every single day. Extra shampoos, extra hair conditioners, spare shaving cream should wander into the cupboard in a multi-purpose storage unit. Don’t take up space from the items you really need!

Similarly, it’s a good idea to reduce the number of decorative items in open spaces.

For example, bath candles and bath salts can be placed in a small storage basket inside the cabinet so they don’t collect dust. And large containers in one, lots of packaging and expired cosmetics or cleaning products should never move into your new bathroom. And if you’re short on surface space, it’s worth thinking about what you can hang on the walls.

Make it practical!

The bathroom is a damp, humid place: so is the modern bathroom. A few unconventional storage tricks can help you achieve a more streamlined look, while still retaining function. One such tip is to install another curtain rod behind the shower curtain, a few inches inwards, towards the bath. This is where towels and rags can dry without spoiling the overall look. Of course, if your bathroom is designed to allow it.

The bathroom cabinet door is also a good place to use for storage: a hair dryer rack can be installed on the inside surface, maybe some baskets or hangers.

To match the style of the bathroom, choose some shelving storage to make use of the space above the toilet: towels that are used less frequently, cleaning products or spare toilet paper and creams can be stored here.

If you use styling tools frequently, use a heat-resistant organizer with a material that can be used to cool them down there. This is both safe and practical, as you can put your straightener or blow-dryer straight back in place after use.

Try to avoid having shower gel and shampoo bottles lined up at the edge of the bath, collecting dust and giving mould a chance to grow.

By installing a container on the wall that can hold water well, you’ll save space on horizontal surfaces: the room will be more transparent and easier to clean.

Feel free to play with the depth of your pull-out drawers! Drawers just a few inches deep with internal make-up drawer organisers provide the perfect storage for make-up tools and small accessories. A deeper drawer, on the other hand, with the help of a few baskets and drawer dividers, can swallow up a grab bag of cleaning products.

Home organisation in the bathroom

These may seem like small things, but it’s important to consider them when designing a new, modern bathroom. During the interior design process, you’ll determine which sanitary ware and furniture to include and which colour scheme should be dominant depending on the size and function of the room. But whether you’re using the bathroom on your own or your family of five, these small tips will help you create a more streamlined and practical bathroom, whatever the size of the room.

Of course, your taste and your own personal pace are important, alongside the space you have, so I’ve tried to suggest things you can freely customise. For example, if you can’t or don’t want to drill, go for a standing toilet roll holder, as this can be a stylish solution for you too.

What’s for sure is that with easy-to-clean surfaces, transparent storage, picking and placing the items you need in the right place, you can create a harmonious environment and spend less time packing and cleaning.

And if you’re planning for a decade, the time you’ll save on cleaning and tidying up is not insignificant. Spend those extra few hours in the bathtub, surrounded by bubbles, with a good book!