You've just moved into your new apartment and realized one small problem--no linen closet. It's unfortunate but it doesn't have to be devastating. We've rounded up ways to maximize your towel storage space and we've included one unexpected towel storage idea that will definitely impress.
We saw this image and instantly thought--wow, great towel storage idea. The two towels are resting on a wooden step stool but you could also use a vintage wooden box turned upside down. We think this is a great idea--especially when you have overnight guests.
This post highlights some great ideas for towel storage including;
- A cabinet above the toilet
- A simple, high, L-shaped shelf that runs above the toilet
- Put a very deep shelf above the bathroom door
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Comments (22)
I mounted an old wooden crate (milk? I dunno) above the toilet for towels.
The towels-under-the-sink-on-the-stool idea is really unappealing to me. It seems like a dirty place to store towels.
where do you put your extra bedding with no linen closet?
Well, when I lived in a studio without a linen closet, I had a box that went under the bed for extra bedding. But I was lucky enough to have a lot of under the vanity storage for toiletries and towels.
I thought the same thing Jamie, seems way to close to the floor, and we all know how bathrooms can get in (between cleans) around the base of the vanity and near waste baskets and toilets...yuck
I have a small blanket chest in the bedroom for spare bedding.
I mounted a 4' IKEA Grannan (sic) metal shelf intended for the kitchen above the sink and commode in my bathroom up near the ceiling - it holds tons of towels, etc.
Our only linen closet is now the cat bathroom so....
We store our towels on a shelf mounted to the bathroom wall (which fit perfectly when you fold the towels one more time lengthwise than the usual).
Extra bedding (just one set for guests plus winter blanket) is stored in a bin underneath our bed.
My very small bathroom does thankfully fit a Molger shelf. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70049687
There is just enough room between the vanity cabinet and the tub for it to not get in the way.
Three shelves hold towels and the top and bottom hold pretty or toiletry things.
This shelf looks so nice, I'll even keep it when I move into a bigger place.
Wall units would be my storage of choice if there is absolutely no other space though.
I keep my towels and other linens in the night stand and in a dresser drawer.
My 1930 bungalow has no linen closet either, plus the bath is tiny with no available space for a wall shelf. But I have just enough room in my hallway between the bedrooms and bath for an old metal pantry unit - the type normally found at estate sales in basements or garages with old cleaners or tools in them.
I found one of these units that hadn't been beaten up too much, cleaned it, spray-painted it with Rustoleum and turned it into a stand-alone linen closet. It's 26 inches wide, 12 inches deep & under 6 feet high, so it does not take up much space at all yet provides great storage.
As part of the cure I'll be installing a shelf above the doorway in my bathroom for towel and linen storage.
we use over-the-door hooks for the towels we use. Other towels are in the built-in closet in the bathroom with a box of some crystals that absorb moisture; we keep all the sheets in the Space Bags (to keep them moisture free and smelling fresh).
i keep my towels rolled up, in a metal firewood/log holder in one corner of the bathroom. it looks sort of like this one, http://www.acehardware.com/largeImage/index.jsp?LargeImageURL=http%3A//ACE.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE3-4105640dt.jpg but not quite as deep. the holder's small dimensions keep the towels out of the way, but also at hand!
Fold bedding (sheets, at least) and put it between the mattress and box spring (or platform).
Or fold it and put it in a pillow sham.
i keep mine in a hope chest w/ extra sheets & blankets.
I roll mine up tight, and store them standing up vertically on a vintage 60's cocktail wheelie cart.
I wouldn't want to put my towels that close to the toilet or floor imagine those microscopic drops of toilet bowl water coming on a towel that you wipe on your body!
i definitely wouldnt want to use a towel that had been stored so close to the floor, all kinds of things could splash on them, not to mention dust from the floor.
i dont like storing towels etc in the bathroom, mildew or little silverfish in one place, makes me keep mine in the bedroom closet.
i love the idea of storing sheets between the mattress and boxspring, good tip.
I installed a couple Ikea kitchen wall cabinets in the bathroom :)
I did a major cleaning in the cabinet under the sink so I could store towels in there. We don't have alot of them, so we go through them quickly and they don't get icky. The sheets are all in canvas under the bed (which is raised up on risers). We got rid of the little linen closet to make room for a tiny office. We're very happy with our system!
In my last apartment there were no towel bars so I put up knobs like the one in the picture. It turned out to be a huge time saver that I had not anticipated. I was suddenly freed from all that towel folding. Also, I eliminated the community hand towel, and just told everyone in the house, use your own bath towel to dry your hands and when you think it needs to be washed put it in the hamper. I ended up having to do less laundry (saving water and electricity) and the bathroom towels never needed tidying.