Whether you live in a rental, a fixer-upper, or your dream space, chances are there’s a room or two in your home that can use a decorative upgrade. While areas such as a bedroom or living room are relatively easy to change up—swapping in new throw pillows or a rug can go a long way—there are a few other rooms that require just a bit more effort.

But not that much more. For instance, a bathroom often falls short of any sort of major decorative change because it can seem intimidating, but we’re here to tell you that doesn’t always have to be the case. In that spirit, we compiled a list of easy ways you can upgrade your bathroom without spending a fortune. Here’s how.

Upgrade the Basics

When it comes to decorating, there are only a handful of opportunities for making changes in a bathroom—especially if you’re working within a small space—and a toilet paper holder is one of them. Consider swapping out your landlord special in favor of a more statement-worthy alternative, like the one above by James Shaw. Wall-mounted holders are fairly easy to install and they instantly impart even the most compact of spaces with a rich and stylish accent.

NewMade LA Toilet Paper Holder, West Elm ($55)

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Wiggle Toilet Paper Holder, Anthropologie ($48)

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Mind the Vanity

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for outdated bathroom cabinets, but if you’ve already got IKEA ones, it can be a breeze to add new fronts via brands like Semihandmade and Superfront. Both offer style-focused facades, custom-made to fit any cabinet from IKEA’s expansive collection. Short of that, you can also simply replace the existing knobs on the cabinet doors to give an instant facelift.

Geometric Cabinet Front, Superfront

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2 Drawers for Godmorgon, Semihandmade ($308)

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Invest in New Textiles

Never underestimate the power of a bold textile. And yes, that applies to the bathroom as well. For renters who find themselves at a loss for making decorative upgrades that may skew toward the permanent side, textiles are an ideal way to add a burst of color to an otherwise monochrome space. And because painting a bathroom is a project few of us are willing to take on in a rental, it’s an alternative we can definitely get behind.

Dusen Dusen Field Stripe Bath Towel, Nordstrom ($58)

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Bath Towel in Warm Red Happy, Baggu ($44)

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Deck the Walls

Another easy way to elevate walls? Utilize art to instill a cozy vibe fueled by decorative thought and intention. Even if you have room for only one piece of wall art, it can make quite a statement against bland, bare walls. And if your space and rental constraints permit, bring in an intricate wallpaper to establish a fresh aesthetic. Consider it a simple way to introduce a major dose of color and pattern to an otherwise monotone space.

C’est Très Nice Art Print, Framebridge ($300)

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“Crown For The Keeper” Painting by Georgia Elrod, Tappan Collective ($1,800)

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Experiment With Tiles

Statement tile is at the top of this year’s leading trends, and with good reason. While a complete gut reno can typically err toward the expensive side of a budget, implementing a wall accent with a chic tile display is one way to get around it. Not only will you save on not having to buy tile for the entirety of the bathroom, but you can splurge on a more expensive tile you would otherwise consider to be out of your budget.

Get crafty with an eclectic assortment of tile, and don’t be afraid to filter in mixed materials. Case in point? This beautifully curated vignette from designer Jessica Hansen’s Portland, Oregon, home, filled with Popham tile.

Dot Dash 6 Tile in Plein Aire, Fireclay Tile ($20)

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Way Cooler Tile, Concrete Collaborative ($175)

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Rethink Metallics 

Swap out existing fixtures and hardware to invite a refreshing element. Opt for a matte black faucet to impart your vanity with a mod upgrade or even a lustrous brass showerhead for a luxe finish. Take things a step further by bringing in an array of potted greens to implement an element of liveliness—a bonus and a must for a bathroom that lacks windows or natural light.

The Filtered Showerhead in Jet Black, Jolie ($165)

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Newport Widespread Bathroom Faucet, Rejuvenation ($449)

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Accessorize

Even the most tired and outdated spaces can be instantly elevated with the addition of a bath caddy—but not the ones you lugged to the shower in college. Be it for function or purely for form, a caddy not only provides extra storage in small spaces, it invites the addition of decorative accessories. Add a luxe upgrade to your tub by pairing it with a chic caddy topped with potted greens, a candle, and your bath-time essentials.

Wooden Bath Tray, Crate & Barrel ($80)

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Byredo Sweet Grass Candle, 8.5 oz, Nordstrom ($94)

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Think Details

For those looking to make a handful of low-commitment changes that require little effort or money, swapping out smaller accessories can go a long way. Bring in a new wastebasket, replace existing canisters and jars, or splurge on luxe soaps and bath goodies. Filling your space with items that excite you will help transform your bathroom into a mini oasis you can look to for the ultimate R&R session.

Hold Everything Stacking Glass Canister, Medium, Williams Sonoma ($45)

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Porcelain Medium Canister, Matte Black, Pottery Barn ($33 was $39)

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The post 8 Simple Swaps for a Mini Bathroom Revamp appeared first on domino.

Among the long list of qualms every small-space dweller faces, the lack of storage options tends to ring in at the top. The bathroom is a particularly tough spot to deal with because the only thing tinier than the room itself is the medicine cabinet, where you’re expected to squeeze all your everyday vanity essentials, from toothbrushes to deodorant. Let’s not forget the bath towels, cleaning supplies, and extra toilet paper. So much stuff and so little square footage—which makes the need for options that don’t just hide everything but look good while doing it even more critical. With this in mind, we set out to do the (seemingly) impossible: uncover small bathroom storage ideas that don’t sacrifice design-forwardness for function.

If It Needs to Do Double Duty

Perhaps you have no medicine cabinet at all. No problem. These shelving-mirror combos are much better-looking, transportable takes on the rental bathroom staple. 

Round Mirror with Shelf, H&M Home ($50)

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Milbrandt Mirrored Shelf, Willa Arlo Interiors ($289 was $350)

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Seamless Wall Shelf Mirror – 17″W x 23″H, West Elm ($250)

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Bree Mirrored Shelf, Anthropologie ($368)

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If You Only Have Vertical Surfaces to Work With

When you’re restricted on floor space, take to the walls. These hanging storage pieces promise to keep your things tucked out of the way—even laundry.

Fern Wall Cabinet, Anthropologie ($698)

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Trenton Laundry Drying Rack, Pottery Barn ($299)

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Korpus Shelf, HAY ($109 was $129)

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Glass & Metal Wall Apothecary Cabinet, Amazon ($140 was $150)

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If You’re Constantly Moving Things Around

Having the liberty to shift your things from one corner to another is a significant storage plus inside a small bathroom. This makes it easier to push the hamper or utility cart–turned–vanity out of the way to make cleaning a cinch.

Tower Rolling Slim Storage Cart, Yamazaki Home ($116 was $145)

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South Seas Bar Cart, Serena & Lily ($568 was $748)

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Steele Canvas Elevated Laundry Basket, Narrow, Steele Canvas Basket Corp ($129)

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OE1 Trolley, Top & Bottom Shelf, Herman Miller ($395)

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If You Could Use a Linen Closet

A freestanding cabinet can do the job just as well. Stack your favorite linens on the shelves and conceal the rest behind closed doors.

Mason Curio Cabinet ($719 was $899)

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Hannah Narrow Cabinet, Lulu and Georgia ($1,799)

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Cache Metal Storage Locker, Novogratz ($225)

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Solid Pine Wood Corner Hutch, Sawdust City ($560)

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The post Our Top Storage Ideas for Barely There Bathrooms appeared first on domino.

Between all the toiletries, beauty products, and miscellaneous odds and ends that make up the contents of our bathrooms, these utilitarian rooms can challenge even the most organized person’s ability to stay neat. But thanks to a few space-saving tricks and clever solutions, your bathroom could feel more spa-like than sporadic.

Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best organization solutions for keeping your bathroom—no matter how big or small—both stylish and clutter free. Forget those go-to unsightly plastic bins, basic baskets, and not-so-pretty door organizers, and instead opt for smart space solutions and accessories that maximize what you have and give all those bathroom items a rightful home. Once all your products are organized and accounted for, your bathroom will finally be the  peaceful oasis you always wanted.

Reach New Heights

You’ve heard time and time again that using vertical space is key for squeezing in extra storage in a small room – it’s no different in a tiny bathroom. But don’t just hang a few shelves on any spare part of the wall and call it a day. Give your bathroom a more polished look by incorporating shelves that run the length of a wall. Alternatively, you may tuck the shelves into a nook, which helps them blend in better, like an architectural element rather than something jutting out of the wall. 

Organize Your Messy Vanity

Instead of tossing your stuff into a vanity drawer, here’s a clever solution to bring order to beauty product mayhem. Upcycle old containers, like paint or soup cans, and use them as drawer organizers to store combs, brushes, and hair tools – upright, not one on top of the other. The cans withstand heat so you don’t have to worry when you put hot tools away. 

Double Duty Mirrors

If you do your makeup in front of the bathroom mirror and have limited countertop space, keep your go-to products within arms reach by swapping out your run-of-the-mill mirror for something with easy-to-access storage, like this one’s subtle shelf or one with a barely-there ledge.

Streamline Your Vanity

Open-shelf bathroom vanities start off pretty and organized, but they’re easy to make a mess of when the day-to-day reality sets in. That’s why containers are a no-brainer when it comes to keeping this spot clutter-free. Make sure to use storage baskets in the same style or in a consistent color scheme to give order to the room and prevent it from looking busy.

A New Approach to Shelves

Love minimalist design, but still need functionable storage? This slatted storage rack is the perfect addition to your bathroom. What’s actually an IKEA bed base finds a home in the bathroom when hung up with polished chrome wall hooks and S hooks. The streamlined look better complements a pared down aesthetic, but is just as practical as open shelves.

Stick on Magnets

Magnets help corral smaller items, like tweezers, bobby pins, and nail clippers. Or, take things up a notch and use magnetic spice jars to hold hair ties, hooks to hang an eyelash curler and scissors, or even mount a small container to the door to hold bigger items.

Prevent Tangled Cords

Get a hold of those unruly hot tool cords once and for all by setting up a storage spot to neatly hang your hairdryer, curling iron, and whatever else is part of your daily routine. Whether you simply add hooks to the back of a cabinet door, hang a cubby to the side of your vanity, or retrofit a drawer into a salon-approved holder, maintaining these products prevents a jumbled mess in your vanity, which frees up much-needed space for other essentials.

Make Extra Room for Towels

A freestanding ladder is an instant storage solution for renters if your landlord won’t allow you to put holes in the walls. Drape washcloths on the rungs for a stylish space-saving display, or opt for a ladder with shelves on each level if you need more room for fluffy towels and toiletries. Stock it with a basket or two to help add dimension to the room.

Creative Storage Solutions

No vanity, no problem. Sure, it’s hard not having an enclosed spot to hide your bathroom supplies, but think of it this way: this just gives you more incentive to keep things tidy since everything’s on display. Elegant woven baskets, beautiful tiered wire shelves, or even a rustic step stool provides spots to stash frequently used items. 

Under Cabinet Sliding Trays 

Say goodbye to the hassle of trying to get something from the deep, dark back corners of your bathroom cabinet. With roll-out trays, you can clearly see and get to all your toiletries without the annoying take-everything-out-because-I-can’t-find-what-I’m-looking-for step. A two-tiered stand provides even more room while organizing containers placed on the tray keeps like items together.

Make Use of an Awkward Corner

When space is at a premium, don’t forget about the wasted corners of your bathroom to maximize its storage potential. Mount floating shelves to the wall near your sink for soaps and lotions.

Show Off Everyday Items

Instead of letting your good-looking products hideaway under the sink, display them out in the open to glam up your bathroom—and free up space for unattractive items like toilet paper and cleaning products. Put down a tray and show off nicely-packaged lotions, candles, perfumes, and diffusers for a seriously chic, yet useful touch.

Provide a Use for the Spot You Keep Empty

Another way to utilize the space above your toilet? Add a shelf that floats right on top of it that elevates the space with an extra dose of character.

Put Your Shampoos into New Bottles

If your big bottles of shampoo and body wash constantly fall out of your hanging shower caddy or barely fit on the corners of your tub, put the products into alternate containers. These are often slimmer and have a larger flat surface, which makes it easier to store on a wire rack. Add a label to the bottles so you identify what’s what.

Invest in a sturdy shower caddy

That being said, if your precious shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and face washes are prone to ending up on your shower floor, or worse, splayed across the rim of your bathtub or overflowing in your cabinet storage, consider organizing the space inside your actual shower by adding a chic shower caddy to hold all those goods.

Use Double Duty Decor

A small stool next to your bathtub serves multiple functions in a small space. Use it to hold your reading materials and jewelry while you’re soaking in the tub, then when you’re out, give it another purpose like a spot to perch towels, show off decorative pieces, a seat for when your kids are bathing, or as a way to reach items on tall shelves. If floor space is tight, see if you can tuck it away under the sink or a counter.

Try Reflective Accents

A reflective bowl on the side of your sink has double the function in a small bathroom. It not only works as a catchall for little items or as a spot to stash jewelry while washing your hands, but it helps bounce light around to make the space feel bigger than it is.

Makeup Display

Instead of spending your precious morning minutes searching for your favorite lipstick in an overcrowded makeup drawer, upgrade your beauty storage by transforming empty wall space by the mirror into a chic makeup cubby. Your morning routine just gained an extra five minutes.

Here’s how to make this DIY cup organizer from A Beautiful Mess that’s a fresh alternative to all those mason jar DIYs and way more stylish than plastic storage bins.

Step Up the Details

Two-tone bathroom walls? Make them work overtime by installing a little ledge that separates the two like molding and extends across the entire width of your wall. You can even have it wrap around the entire room depending on your space. Whether you use it to hold decorative accessories or something more practical like amenities, a slim wall-mounted shelf adds just that little bit of storage space you were missing.

Try an Unexpected Space for Specific Stuff

Boost your bathtub’s utility by adding a petite shelf behind the tub for your spa-treatment stuff you grab only while you’re soaking. Bath salts, soaps, washcloths, and candles feel right at home here.

Hook More Than Just Towels

Think you still need more space? Even if you have your towel storage covered, add a few more wall hooks to make a new home for extras crowding your vanity. We especially love hanging delicate baskets or small canvas bags on the hooks to hold grouped items, like your spa-day products or manicure kit. Natural body scrubbers and sponges can be used like accessories here too.

This story was originally published on March 25, 2017. It has been updated with new information.

Get more organization tips:
Organizing 101: How To Finally Declutter Your Home
11 Instagram Accounts That Will Fuel Your Inner Neat Freak
When, and Why, You Should Throw Away Your Makeup

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The post Your Biggest Bathroom Storage Dilemmas, Solved appeared first on domino.

Since the dawn of bathroom vanities, messy drawers have doubled as graveyards for miscellaneous and untouched products. We’re all guilty of it: shoving cleansers, cotton swabs, and extra toothpaste in there because, hey, it’s fine if you can’t see it. Corralling clutter behind closed doors seems like a suitable tidying strategy, that is until you can’t find your favorite lipstick or your only remaining hair tie. The answer to messy drawer syndrome? The Home Edit’s new book. 

Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin—the decluttering gurus behind the Instagram-famous home organization service—have released their first book: The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals. Effectively a master class on all things organizing, it takes an orderly and unsurprisingly color-coded approach to arranging every space in the home. Somewhere in between finding storage in a shoe closet and crafting a coffee station, we discovered we’ve been tackling our dreaded bathroom junk drawer all wrong.

Categorizing odds and ends is only half the battle when it comes to divvying up storage. Recognizing what should be neatly stowed away—and what shouldn’t—is the other. From where to stash your moisturizers to how to compartmentalize cotton pads, we’re breaking down five lessons we learned from the book.

Group products by brand

A bathroom drawer is a great place for awkward items like odd-shaped chargers, one-off tools, and sets of products. In this perfectly tidy scenario, compartmentalized containers help to create a seamless look and stop objects from rolling around. More important, this system makes it easy to find duplicates. Grouping items by brand rather than category can be a helpful sorting strategy if you tend to stock up on products in advance.

Tip: “Almost all bottles can lie flat as opposed to standing upright—just make sure lids are on extra tight to avoid an oil spill,” suggest Shearer and Teplin.

Save the medicine cabinet for taller items

In an effort to make the most of prime real estate, medicine cabinets are commonly used to house items and tools that we use on a daily basis. Despite popular belief, this shelving spot is often best suited to meet niche needs and hold bulkier bottles.

“For this nonmedicine medicine cabinet, we created a dedicated spot for everyday face regimens,” write Shearer and Teplin of this skin-saving storage solution. 

Each shelf has been divided according to three categories (cleansers, moisturizers, and treatments), and excess packaging has been removed to take full advantage of the cabinet’s height.

Dedicate one drawer to the essentials

“Think of your ‘daily’ drawer as the bathroom’s greatest hits,” explain Shearer and Teplin. “These are the go-to items that you used twice a day without fail: toothbrush and toothpaste, contact lenses, face wipes—whatever suits your daily routine.” A flat and clean display makes it easy to grab a new razor or toothbrush at a moment’s notice.

Tip: Bulky items that don’t roll around can be organized without containers and act as secure dividers on either side.

Display makeup on the countertop

Little things like lipsticks can easily be swallowed whole by a cluttered drawer. If there’s one category of bathroom product to store on the countertop, it’s makeup. Stackable acrylic containers will change the way you feel about leaving your go-to beauty goodies out in the open.

“Makeup can be kept in this single tower or broken up into a different configuration, and individual sections can be removed while items are in use,” suggest Shearer and Teplin. In this case, products are arranged to ensure that the label is always visible.

Neatly display “other” items in a cabinet

Necessities and “other” products (think: nail polish and body lotion) mixing together is a recipe for chaos. Instead of giving rarely used items a prime spot in your drawer, group occasional ones together in a separate cabinet, caddy, or shelf with larger, semi-transparent bins.

“When you want clear storage for visibility, but maybe don’t want all your personal items on display, a frosted clear helps achieve both goals,” share Shearer and Teplin.

The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals, Amazon ($15)

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Want to better your bathroom (or really any other room)? Snag your own copy of The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals.

See more stories like this: 15 Stylish Magazine Racks That Will Keep Your Space Tidy 46% of Houseguests Say This Is the First Thing They Notice About Your Space Marie Kondo Just Announced Her Next Big Project After Netflix

The post 5 Bathroom Organizing Ideas to Test Out ASAP appeared first on domino.

Navigating a pint-size bathroom seems doable when your only roommates are a thriving fiddle-leaf fig and a pesky kitchen mouse. But add a significant other into the mix and suddenly your medicine cabinet is bursting at the seams.

When it comes to making the most of tight quarters, city-dwelling couples have the divide and conquer game down and they’re not adhering to the ordinary laws of small-space living. They’re playing by the rulebook of love.  

Compromise, creativity, and compact storage are just a few ways NYC couples maintain a sense of privacy. To get the scoop on what’s really going on behind closed (well, sometimes open) doors, we asked four down-to-earth couples how they make it work. Newfound loves, take note.

Samantha Litt and Dan Juda’s Boerum Hill abode is the epitome of ease, and the bathroom is no exception. Opting for a crisp, neutral color palette, the first thing you’ll notice in the duo’s bathroom is a graphic black-and-white print by Dan Hobday Art. What you won’t see right away is that the piece is, in fact, supported by a hinge that cleverly hides the medicine cabinet.

How have you and your S.O. decided to divvy up storage?

Litt: We each have our own basket under the sink, and medicine cabinets are mostly shared space. For the most part, we haven’t had any issues.

Juda: We can throw everything in there and just pull things out onto the countertop as needed.

What clever tidying hacks have you learned along the way?

Litt: The medicine cabinets can get a bit cluttered, and it always feels like things are precariously balanced against each other. Dan got me some organizers for my makeup (for our anniversary), which have helped a lot. We also use a corner caddy in our shower, which I love.

Quirks aside, what do you love most about your bathroom?

Litt: Our sink was previously floating out from the wall, so we built a wood counter underneath, and the extra horizontal space has been life-changing.

Juda: The two highlights are definitely the skylight and heated floors. The heated floors make getting up a lot easier in the winter, and the skylight is amazing in the summer.

What’s the most important courtesy lesson you’ve learned from sharing a bathroom with your S.O.?

Juda: Half an hour of hands-and-knees bathroom bleaching can be a one-way ticket out of the dog house. Keep that in your back pocket.

Litt: I want to say replacing the toilet paper when it’s out, but if I’m being totally honest, I stink at that. But I’m the one who always closes the shower curtain.

The takeaway? Keep day-to-day items out of sight and bring in double-duty decorative objects for a zen space that can also function seamlessly.

For Terri Chiao and Adam Frezza, sharing is an ever-evolving practice. “How we store things has changed many times since moving in together,” says Chiao. “Our best advice is not to begrudge any house chore and rather see each cleaning moment as an opportunity to improve our living environment.”

Being creatives at heart, the pair isn’t opposed to a little DIY when it comes to maximizing storage in their artful Brooklyn apartment.

What’s the most important courtesy lesson you’ve learned from sharing a bathroom with loved ones?

Chiao: We are lucky to be able to cohabitate in the bathroom and dance around each other while we take care of our bathroom business. We have a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and sometimes, all three of us are doing different things in the bathroom while our cat is also taking care of his business in the same small room.

Frezza: We just try to keep it light and enjoy sharing the space. That said, we find it important to react almost like a bullfighter and make sure to yield to each other as we all get ourselves ready for the day.

Are there any space-saving hacks you’ve come across that help?

Chiao: We are continually blown away that we keep finding ways to refine our environment. The biggest “hack” is making the time to daydream about how things could be different, having the patience to think through and create a plan of action, and the perseverance to follow through and make changes happen.

Any words of wisdom for couples who are going to be living together for the first time?

Chiao: Take care of yourself as best you can and help each other out whenever you notice the opportunity to make life a little easier.

Frezza: It’s a team effort. Finding a rhythm that works seems to take a lot of patience and practice. Making every day a little more fun helps us appreciate having each other around that much more.

Their takeaway? Imagination and cohabitation are one and the same.

Becky and Jake Shea of Becky Shea Design might get to come home to a bathroom that’s large by NYC standards (there’s a vanity, recessed medicine cabinet, and tub), but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without its kinks. “Our vanity light fixture has a ghost controlling it. The globes covering the bulbs will randomly fall off and smash… fun times!” laughs Jake. “Oh, and to completely stop the shower, you have to shut it off and then ever-so-slightly turn it back the other way to avoid persistent drips.”

What has your strategy been for dividing space in the medicine cabinet?

Becky: The bottom shelf is our everyday shared things (i.e., face wash, toothpaste, floss, and toothbrushes), and the second shelf is my stuff, which is really just my deodorant, Glossier’s rosewater mist, and Boscia’s charcoal mask. The third shelf is all of Jake’s stuff. I’m too short to reach that high, so he was designated to that location.

Jake: Becky’s a Virgo, and with that comes an intrinsic drive to organize (which I love). Let’s just say I go along for the ride and find my things wherever she decides they belong.

Are there any space-saving hacks you’ve come across that help keep your space looking tidy?

Becky: Clear storage bins. They’re easy to stack and slide out and keep all your goodies consolidated versus all over the place.

Jake: We’ve also added labels to them so they’re categorized.  

Any words of wisdom for couples who are going to be living together for the first time?

Jake: You’ll find your routine to cohabitate pretty quickly after moving in. The most important piece is to be patient, listen to each other’s needs, and strike a compromise.  

Becky: Be mindful of each other’s needs and figure out ways to share product. We share the same face wash, toothpaste, floss, shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash. It reduces the amount of clutter, and who really needs to have that many products?

The takeaway? Sharing bath and beauty goods will save you space (and money).

After getting rid of the dated molding and blue tiles that once covered their ultra-chic bathroom, Laura Lane and Nic Rad transformed the space with soothing grays and bold art. “My favorite part of the bathroom is a giant painting that my husband created. Everyone asks if it is going to get ruined from humidity, but so far, it still looks good,” says Lane.

Any words of wisdom for couples who are going to be living together for the first time?

Lane: Combining aesthetics can be a touchy thing. It’s hard to tell someone you don’t like some of their furniture, but you want the place to feel like both of yours. Give each other veto power over items you both don’t like and don’t take offense. Even if you both have everything you need after you combine households, go out and buy one piece of furniture together to celebrate.

What do you love most about your bathroom?

Lane: The sinks are giant metal bowls, which look cool and are also great for catching water because I’m a pretty messy face washer.

What’s the most important courtesy lesson you’ve learned from sharing a bathroom with your S.O?

Lane: We have separate medicine cabinets and separate sinks, which is a helpful luxury. In terms of courtesy, after nine years together, we still knock when someone is in the bathroom. No one wants to see me staring at every pore in the mirror or plucking my eyebrows—a little mystery is good!

The takeaway? Search for compromise in shared interests. Oh, and don’t forget to knock.

See more stories like this: 

Could You Work With Your S.O.? Coming Soon’s Founders on Keeping the Spark Alive

Don’t Panic: These Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gifts Will Arrive by Tomorrow

6 Design Teams That Are IRL Couples

The post 4 NYC Couples Get Real About Sharing a Bathroom and Making It Work appeared first on domino.

The recommendation originally traveled my way like a piece of gossip, spread through the office at an old job.

“Do you have one?”

“I have one too!”

“Oh, you should get one.”

In a single minute, I had realized that at least three of my coworkers owned the same doughnut-shaped toothbrush holder from Muji, and it had, allegedly, changed their lives.

I quickly found my way to Muji to pick up one for myself, opting for the plain white version. Since that purchase, about three years later, it has remained one of the best things I’ve ever done for my bathroom.

Porcelain Toothbrush Stand Yellow, Muji ($6)

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Now available in eight different hues (white, pink, yellow, blue, gray, green, clear, and frosted glass), the $5.50 stand is simple in design and yet it’s also aesthetically pleasing and happens to be highly functional: Without adding an unsightly, bulky stand to the edge of your sink, it holds your toothbrush upright, out of the way of germs and water splashes.

Porcelain Toothbrush Stand Gray, Muji ($6)

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I keep mine in my bathroom vanity, propping my toothbrush upright and away from the grime that manages to form on bathroom shelves no matter how often you clean. Because the holder has a cut-out center, it prevents water from pooling inside too. All you have to do is give it a good wipe-down every so often to keep it looking pristine.

White Porcelain Toothbrush Stand, Muji ($6)

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While I love the minimalist look of an all-white toothbrush nestled inside the white holder, it can fit virtually any toothbrush you’d like to use—even a more high-tech one. Domino wellness editor Kristin Limoges attests to the Muji toothbrush holder’s compatibility with her Quip toothbrush, keeping it clean and upright.

Porcelain Toothbrush Stand Blue, Muji ($6)

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This kind of bathroom accessory shouldn’t feel as revolutionary as it does. Surely, you may think, it would be enough to put my toothbrush in a cup or just to lay it on top of the sink or even to use a built-in holder. To that, I simply say: no.

Porcelain Toothbrush Stand Pink, Muji ($6)

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Not only does this holder prevent the bristles of your toothbrush from touching gross surfaces, but it also just feels… special. It’s precisely the kind of thing that you might not even think about buying while in-store, but when you do, it becomes immediately useful and delightful.

Frosted Glass Toothbrush Stand, Muji ($6)

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When it comes down to it, this one-time buy solved a problem that I didn’t necessarily spend a ton of time thinking about, and in doing so, it elevated a twice-daily routine in a way that required little money and hardly any effort. It’s a purchase that works exponentially harder than you’d expect—and it comes in the insanely pleasing form of a cute little doughnut.

More bathroom buys:

West Elm Just Launched a Super-Dreamy Bathroom Collection

9 Things Your Bathroom Doesn’t Really Need (and What to Replace It With)

The Only Bathroom Upgrade You Need Costs Under $60

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’Tis the season for paring down and reevaluating the pieces we’ve accumulated over the past year. Getting a head start can help take the sting out of the massive spring cleaning effort in store for us come March.

With the bathroom in mind, we looked for easy swaps to help create a zen-like ambience—changes that preserve functionality without compromising on style. Say goodbye to overflowing medicine cabinets and bathtubs lined with shampoo bottles. These design-forward alternatives will give your space the refresh it deserves.

Ditch: The Moldy Curtain You’ve Had Since Move-In

Try: Margot Shower Curtain, Matouk, $198

In partnership with Matouk: Let go of the basic plastic option in favor of something with a bit more life. Cue a vibrantly patterned shower curtain that has the potential to transform even the most cramped spaces. And did we mention it’s machine washable?

Ditch: Your Tattered Toothbrush

Try: Morihata Charcoal Toothbrush, CB2, $6

We love a good double-duty detail, especially when it combines form and function. Thanks to its antibacterial properties, this sleek black toothbrush purifies as you brush.

Ditch: That Sad Soap Bar

Try: The Reveller, Aesop, $120

Streamline your routine and consolidate your bath essentials—hand wash, lotion, balm, and cleanser—into one perfectly packaged and aromatically harmonious bundle.

Ditch: The Bulky Waste Bin

Try: Rin Trash Can, Yamazaki Home, $50

In a small space, every square inch counts, and round, space-hogging trash cans need not apply. Bring in this sleek number instead—it not only tucks into tight corners easily, but the wood lid further hides what’s inside.

Ditch: The Multipurpose Water Glass

Try: Porcelain Toothbrush Stand, Muji, $6

Muji’s take on a toothbrush holder is the personification of minimalism. Simply prop your brush in one of these colorful stands and relish in the ample sink space you have left over.

Ditch: The Junk Drawer

Try: Bits and Bobs Storage Container, Hay, $10

Gather your random odds and ends (we’re looking at you, hair ties and bobby pins) in these sleek vessels, which conceal their contents in opaque color. 

Ditch: Bathtub Clutter

Try: Barrel Shower Caddy, Urban Outfitters, $49

Lining the perimeter of your tub with shampoo bottles and various other accessories is not a good look—not to mention a nightmare to clean around. Designate a specific storage solution, such as this sleek bamboo caddy, to keep things tidy and in one place.

Ditch: Miscellaneous Mess

Try: Rectangular Tray, Gaetano Pesce, $80

Limit the number of stud earrings and lipsticks rolling around on your vanity by corralling your accessories in a tray. These flexible (!) resin versions give organizing by color a whole new meaning. 

Read On Now This Is How You Do a Double Sink This Petite Space Convinced Me I Need a Blush Bathroom Small Bathrooms Can Have Architectural Character as Well

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Let’s face it, when it comes to finding viable storage solutions for the bathroom, things can get tricky. Add in the constraints that come with a small space, and you find yourself with a whole new set of problems. Short of having to settle for the all-too-traditional storage solutions we often find ourselves gravitating towards—minimal effort and budget-friendly being two prime reasons for this—it’s important to recognize the clever alternatives available to us out there as well.

Thinking outside the box, and with the help of a few of our designer friends, we set out to uncover the bathrooms where the approach to storage was anything but an eyesore. Here’s what we found.

We’re always in favor of giving vintage finds a new lease on life and designating them as a storage solution in the bathroom is one surefire way to do it. Aside from bringing on a bold dose of character and texture to the space, these finds make for the ideal complement to the near-sterile design of many a modern bathroom. Subway tiles, white walls, basic tub—you know the drill. Offset these pre-existing elements by integrating wooden shelving or woven baskets into the mix. Form and function never looked this good.

We’re so readily used to the idea of designating a basket to the floor, to double as a catch-all for towels and whatever else have you, that we rarely think of this clever alternative: hanging them up on the wall. Granted you would have to opt for a slightly smaller option but, it’ll still manage to uphold its intended purpose. Use this method to store everything from hair dryers to extra shampoo bottles and just about any other random odd and end you accumulate.

There’s no such thing as wasted space in a small bathroom and making the most of every available square inch is paramount. One spot you might be missing out on? The storage space under the sink. If you’re feeling bold, and up to the challenge, consider swapping out the existing vanity for one with slightly more room. No need to spend an arm and a leg here—Ikea has plenty of affordable options and when all else fails, you can always DIY.

Ever find yourself stuck between two walls with nowhere to go? There’s a fix for that. City-dwellers are all too familiar with the perils of awkwardly-shaped bathrooms. Take note from this Brooklyn-based bath, where an elongated shelving unit conveniently fits right in between the shower and wall, resulting in a viable storage solution fit to hold all the essentials.

Utilizing the top of the toilet tank as a storage option may not be the most sanitary or practical course of action. But, building a little shelf above it just might be the creative solution we were looking for. Sans having to sacrifice the wasted space, this clever fix—which we spotted in Claire Zinnecker’s LA home—makes use of the empty wall and provides a rich tonal element to the otherwise whitewashed room.

Christene Barberich’s Brooklyn Heights home taught us a prime lesson in getting the most out of limited square footage. In lieu of resorting to the standard bathroom storage shelf, she brought in a vintage bench that fit perfectly within the tight confines of the space. With ample space for extra towels, and any other bathroom essential one can think of, the storied piece contributes both a defined hint of color and texture—all the while remaining entirely functional.

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Beauty hoarders beware: There just might be a horror movie-worthy amount of bacteria growing on your makeup, or says Jane Hollenberg, a 43-year makeup industry veteran, who has previously worked as a makeup chemist for Revlon, and now has her own laboratory.

I know what you’re thinking: Your makeup seems to be just fine no matter how long you’ve had it, right? Not quite. The reality is that you might just be smearing on a side of bacterial growth while applying your lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow. And if that sounds dramatic, allow us to give you a guide to protect you from all those nasties.

“Nothing lasts forever, not food, not drugs, not cosmetics, not cloth, not paper, not wood, etc.,” says Hollenberg. “I am always surprised to learn how long people think cosmetics should last. Cooking oil becomes rancid, so will the oils used in cosmetics…”

Expiration Dates 101: How and Why

“In the United States, cosmetics are not required to have expiration dates,” says Hollenberg. “In Europe, cosmetics must show an indication of shelf life, usually PAO, meaning ‘period after opening’ during which the product remains functional.”

Just how do brands determine these ‘expired by’ dates?

Brands and labs put the product under what they consider to be normal and extreme situations to test the products longevity. “During product development, accelerated aging tests at elevated temperatures are used to predict shelf life, followed up by long term monitoring of product samples at ambient temperatures after a product is introduced to the market,” says Hollenberg. “A cosmetic never legally expires but can become non-functional. A product may spoil due to microbial growth. Most cosmetics contain preservatives to protect them against microbial growth, and tests are performed to evaluate efficacy of preservative systems. Evidence of microbial contamination could be an off odor or obvious mold growth. Water, or any product containing water is susceptible to microbial contamination.”

Makeup ‘Aging’

• Your organic skincare will have to be tossed quicker than traditional formulas. “The popular natural ingredients have the shortest shelf lives. Natural oils become rancid more quickly than the synthetics that have been designed to be less prone to oxidation.”
• Keep color of bottles and packaging in mind: “The color of some products packaged in clear glass or plastic may fade if exposed to light for prolonged periods.” This is especially true with oils, which are very light sensitive. It’s best if they are in dark bottles, like Jiva Apoha bottles always are, and stored away from light and heat.
• If you love it, keep it sealed tight. “Most obviously, products containing water or other volatile material can dry out, quickly and severely, if the closure is not completely tightened after each use. Products begin to dry out more rapidly once they are partially used up, because any volatile can evaporate to some extent into the empty area in the bottle or jar.”

Below we’ve assembled a handy list of dates on how long makeup should last. Good way to track dates? Keep a notebook with all the dates you purchased (aka, it was exposed to air) your new favorite makeup buys. Or put a notice in your calendar. I know that seems extra, but your bacteria-free skin, eyes, and lips will thank you later.

When to Toss: Should They Stay or Should They Go

“Color, odor, or texture change are signs a product is aged,” says Hollenberg. “With the exception of water containing mascara and eyeliner, the suggested age limits are flexible. Just do not assume makeup lasts forever.”

Mascara: 3-6 Months

I know you splurged for that Diorshow mascara, and you love it and want to really get as much use out of it, but stay strict with this date. “Mascara is the most critical of any product, because it is used at the edge of the eye,” says Hollenberg. “With each use, the product applicator contacts the eye, then is inserted back into the product, thus contaminating it with microorganisms.”

And may seem obvious, but it must be said: “It is generally recommended that no one should ever share mascara or add any liquid or add water to a product to thin it out or use saliva to aid application,” reminds Hollenberg. And, of course, be diligent about shutting your mascara tight, and never pump it (You know when you see people push the wand up and down in the tube? Yeah, that.), never ever: It rushes in air, which leads to bacteria and dry out much quicker. And it honestly does nothing good for the mascara wand anyway.

And the same rules apply to eyeliners as well. Don’t take risks with your gorgeous eyes, it’s not worth getting infections or worse.

Foundation: 12-24 Months

But you still have a bit of your Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder foundation, and you love it (I love it, too, and it never runs out.). Yep, but foundation needs to be tossed after a year or a year and a half or two years, depending on the formula.

If it’s in a jar, pot, or bottle, and contains water (it’ll say on the ingredient list), it should be tossed after a year because it has more exposure to air, brushes, and your fingers.

In a pump or airtight container? A year and a half.

Has SPF? Follow the expiration date on the back then.

Powder foundation? 24 months, unless an odor develops beforehand, then toss.

And always wash brushes weekly. Yep, weekly. Make it part of your weekly chores, like when you’re waiting for your clothes in the dryer, wash your brushes with a mild soap (I use organic dish soap), then lay them out to dry on paper towels (They won’t dry as quickly on towels and could develop mildew). And sponge applicators, aka BeautyBlenders, Hollenberg cautions those should be washed and dried fully after each use.

If it’s separated and looking a bit questionable (but still within the above timelines), it does not mean a foundation is unusable, as long as it can be shaken to remix the ingredients.

Same rules apply for blush. But those cream foundations, like Chantecaille Cheek Gelee, can be functional for at least 24 months.

Concealer: 12-24 Months

Concealer containing water should be thrown out within 12 months, or sooner if it’s in a vial with a foam applicator (like this type of applicator here).

Water-free cream concealer? You’ve got 24 months to run through that one.

But when applying concealer, especially if it’s from a pot (like my favorite NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer), make sure hands are clean to assure bacteria contamination is lower.

Eyeshadow: 6-24 Months

Cream eyeshadow? “They usually contain oils that evaporate and will dry out within 6 to 12 months, depending on how they are packaged,” says Hollenberg. “Those in vials last the longest.”

Using a powdered eyeshadow? They should last about 24 months, minimum.

And as usual, your eyeshadow applicator brushes should be washed and dried weekly. And use best practices when applying eyeshadow too: wash hands before using your fingers in a cream eyeshadow.

Lips: 6-24 Months

Loving a classic lipsticks and lip gloss? They should remain okay for up to 24 months. But, of course, examine them to see if there is an off odor or appearance change, and discard if so. “Lipsticks are examples of wax/oil combinations that can develop an off odor due to rancidity,” warns Hollenberg.

Got a super long-lasting version (those ads that say they are kiss- and budge-proof)? Those have a shorter life shelf, they will usually dry up within 6 to 12 months.

SPF: Read the Label

“Cosmetics that are also drugs, such as those making sunscreen claims, must follow drug regulations, which do require an expiration date,” says Hollenberg. “You will see expiration dates on the packaging of a foundation or lipstick that claims an SPF.”

Read more about when to keep and when to toss other products:

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It’s no news that we’re big fans of IKEA. How could we not be? When it comes to elevated design at low price points, the Swedish retailer is the clear winner. Our love affair only grows fonder when we’re in search of ways to give our rental a wallet-friendly upgrade. 

Take the bathroom: If you’re looking for a sleek hook to hang your towels, a place to store all those sheet masks, or even a new wall light to help you look your best when getting ready in the morning, chances are you can find it all on the Scandi brand’s website. You may discover something you didn’t even know you needed. Here are 13 of our favorites—make a trip to IKEA for a few and transform your space in an afternoon.

Sammanhang Glass Box, Ikea ($6)

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Now cotton swabs and hair ties have a chic home.

Skogsta Stool, Ikea ($25)

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Give your plant or stack of towels a prime spot on this small stool.

Vikfjärd Washcloth, Ikea ($3)

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Up your towel game with something colorful (and boasting a hook for easy hanging).

Ragrund Chair With Towel Rack, IKEA ($60)

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A chair and towel rack in one piece of furniture? Sold.

Raskog Utility Cart, Ikea ($30)

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If you still need more storage, consider this tiny blue caddy on wheels for holding anything from hairspray to washcloths.

Vitemölla Wall Lamp, Ikea ($25)

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Set this mirror on your vanity or hang it on a wall, and the stand becomes a shelf.

Lierskogen Valet Stand With Mirror, Ikea ($79)

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Who needs storage under the sink when you have this mirror, which comes with tiny compartments for makeup and hanging rods for washcloths?

Fryken Set of 3 Boxes With Lids, IKEA ($16)

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This trio of baskets is perfect for stowing the small items you’d otherwise leave lying around, such as earrings and lip balms.

Segersjön Tray, Ikea ($8)

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Use this rust-colored tray to corral the products you reach for every day, like hand cream and perfume.

Saxborga Set of 5 Jars With Lids and Tray, Ikea ($15)

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Keep all your grooming essentials neatly tucked away in this stackable set of cork containers.

Emten Bath Mat, Ikea ($10)

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Your space will look all kinds of chic with this lavender bath mat (and your cold toes will thank you).

Kämpig 3-Arm Swivel Hook, Ikea ($13)

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Place this multipurpose hook on the back of your door to hang anything from a plant to a bathrobe.

Saxborga Storage Box With Mirrored Lid, Ikea ($20)

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This makeup box’s lid does double duty: When it’s not hiding your blush, you can lean it in the container to use the mirror as a mini vanity.

Now that’s a rental bathroom makeover we can get behind.

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