How to Downsize the Bathroom – Moving From House to Studio, Exactly What to Keep
A bathroom has so many functions – why are they often so small?! Many of us find ourselves having to get creative with how and where to store the many things that get assigned to the bathroom. Even though I’m in a studio, my bathroom is a little bigger than an average one (it’s 5’x16’). Because of that, I have room for a separate shower and self-standing soaking tub, all in a “wet room.” I could have used that extra space for storage, but I opted for a spa-type bathroom instead.
Here is my bathroom…
Furnishings:
Build in as much as possible.
- Lighting – Canned ceiling lights – Lighting above mirrored medicine cabinet – Ceiling light that includes vented fan
- Window – One window above bathtub. It’s high on the wall so no window covering is needed. Crank out so it can help ventilate the room.
- Mirrored medicine cabinet above sink – Large with multiple shelves for hygiene items
- Toilet, Shower, Tub, Sink
- Vanity – Storage drawers and storage area under the sink
- Grab bars – I’m in my 60’s and not getting any younger. I don’t really need them now, but they’ll be there when I do.
- Full-length mirror on the door
- Towel bars
- Toilet paper holder
- Hooks for robes
Furniture:
I don’t really have much. Almost everything is built-in.
- Teak bench in the shower
- Side table for tub
Accessories:
- Trash can and bags
- Rack in the shower for shampoo, etc.
- Bath mat
- Toilet brush and plunger
- Shower curtain, liner, hooks, rod
- Linens – Bath towels (4) – Hand towels (4) – Washcloths (4)
- Scale
- Night light
Hygiene:
Some of these items are one-time purchases (such as a hair dryer). Others are consumables (shampoo).
I’m listing what I use and then adding some other items that I don’t have but are common items for most people.
I keep just one extra of consumable items. When I run out and open a new item, I add it to my shopping list. I keep extras in a bin under the sink. I shop my bin when I’m running low on anything.
- Skin: Hand soap at the sink, soap in the shower and tub, Lotion, Deodorant, Foundation makeup, Lipstick, and Lip balm (you may also have a special face cleanser or lotion, more makeup, makeup remover, and Q-tips).
- Hair – Shampoo – Conditioner – Hair dryer – Comb/brush – Spray (You may also have hair ties, clips, pins, straightening iron, curling iron, gel, dye)
- Nails – Clippers – File (You may also have polish, remover, and cotton rounds).
- Shaving – Razor – Extra blades (You may also have shaving cream or a lotion for after shaving).
- Eyebrows and Lashes – Tweezers – Hand-held mirror – Scissors – Mascara (You may also have other makeup, makeup remover, eyelash curler)
- Teeth – Toothbrush – Electric toothbrush and charger – WaterPik – Toothpaste – Mouthwash – Floss – Water glass
- Glasses – Cases – Repair kit – Cleaner – Cloth
- Contacts – Cases – Cleaning/soaking solution – Eye drops
- Feminine hygiene products – (pads, tampons, menstrual cup)
- Toilet paper
- Tissues
Medications:
These actually keep better if not in the bathroom since humidity can degrade them.
Also, if children live in or visit your home, keep them out of reach.
I don’t keep all of these meds around but these are some commonly kept in homes.
- Pain and Fever – Acetaminophen/Tylenol – Ibuprofen/Motrin – Naproxen/Aleve – Aspirin
- Allergy – Diphenhydramine/Benadryl – Ceterizine/Zyrtec – Nasal saline – Fluticasone/Flonase
- Digestive – Calcium Carbonate/Tums – Bismuth/Pepto Bismol – Loperamide/Imodium – Famotidine/Pepcid – Omeprazole/Nexium – Polyethylene Glycol/Miralax
- Cold and Flu – NyQuil and DayQuil (various formulas) – Dextromethorphan/Delsym – Pseudoephedrine/Sudafed – Guaifenesin/Mucinex – Cough drops
- Spoon or medicine cup to measure liquid medications
- Supplements/Vitamins
- Prescription meds
First Aid:
As mentioned above, these are just ideas of some items commonly kept in homes.
- Bandages – Bandaid strips – Gauze pads and rolls – Non-stick/Telfa pads – Paper tape
- Topicals – Hydrocortisone/Cortaid – Diphenhydramine/Benadryl – Triple Antibiotic Ointment/Neosporin – Bacitracin – Zinc oxide – Sunscreen – Insect repellent – Aloe – Calamine – Vaseline
- Thermometer, batteries, and covers
- Elastic wraps and closures
- Splints
- Eyewash and cup
- Bulb syringe
- Scissors
- Alcohol
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Heating pad
- Cold pack
- Safety pins
- Nitrile gloves
Cleaning:
- Glass cleaner
- All-purpose tub/shower cleaner
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Cleaning cloths
- Paper towels
- Disinfectant
This looks like a long list for a small room. But many of the items are small and if they’re contained by category in a bin or bag or other designated area, it really does all fit!
What are your bathroom essentials? Let me know in the comments below.
To build a small home for herself, Rebecca listed out the essentials in each area of her home so she could easily design a house to meet her needs. See her other rooms here:
