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Who doesn't need more storage space in their bathroom? These clever tips will help you take advantage of every square inch so you can keep all of your bathroom supplies tidy, well organized, and close at hand.
If you keep your toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet stacked on a shelf, they probably fall out when you open the door. If you cut notches in the cabinet shelves, you'll solve this annoying nuisance. Use a rotary tool along with a woodcutting bit and sanding drum.
Keep your razor from falling into the tub with this simple holder. Cut a 3-in. length of 1-in. PVC pipe with a handsaw. Cut two 1/8-in.-wide notches in the pipe. Strap the pipe to your wire shower caddy with two plastic tie straps hooked in the notches. Drop the razor into the pipe; the blade will catch on the edges of the pipe, keeping the razor off the floor.
Most toothbrush holders aren't big enough for electric toothbrushes. They end up falling out of the holder or taking up too much room on the vanity. Here's a clever storage idea: Make a holder for them using large grip-type clips. Mount the clips on your medicine chest or on a piece of wood that you can hang on the wall. The clips work great to keep your toothbrushes secure!
Use the kind of large grip-type clips you normally use for brooms or garden tools, (available at hardware stores and home centers for $3.50 a pair).
Tired of the clutter of shampoo and conditioner bottles along the rim of your tub? This tempered safety glass shelf on a cable shelf bracket is an easy solution. The cable shelf bracket requires only two screws for support. If studs aren’t located in the right positions, use toggle bolts to anchor the shelf brackets. The glass hangs on the cables. The cable shelf brackets (No. CSB5B) are available online from expodesigninc.com and cost $21 per pair. Order a tempered glass shelf from a local glass company. The 3/8-in.-thick, 12-in.-deep shelf shown here cost $64.
Hate the messy look of curling irons lying on the vanity or the toilet tank? Here’s a tip for you. Use hook-and-loop tape to attach 5-in. lengths of 2-in.- diameter PVC pipe to the vanity door to hold the curling irons. Do the same thing with 3-in. pieces of 1-1/2-in.-diameter pipe to hold the cords. Just measure your curling irons to see how long your “holsters” need to be. Let your curling irons cool before you stow them away.
Do your toothbrushes end up lying on a wet, messy vanity? Here’s a clever solution: Mount neodymium (“rare earth”) magnets on a Corian mounting strip with Super Glue. Glue the strip to the wall with Super Glue or silicone caulk. Note: Neodymium magnets are incredibly strong but break if handled roughly. Order several more than you need—shipping is expensive. Also, don’t handle neodymium magnets if you wear a pacemaker, and never leave them next to your computer. For more safety information, see the “Neo Mag Safety” link at kjmagnetics.com.
To make the mounting strip, cut a Corian threshold ($12 at tile stores) with a miter saw or jigsaw. Mark the position of the magnets and glue them on the mounting strip, orienting the magnets so they attract each other. Neodymium magnets are available from kjmagnetics.com (888-746-7556) and other Internet suppliers. Shown here are 1/2-in. x 2-in. x 1/8-in. magnets, grade N42 ($3.50 each). You can double them up if you need more holding power.
Glue the mounting strip to the wall with Super Glue, hot-melt glue or silicone caulk.
Battery-powered toothbrushes have hidden steel parts that stick to magnets. Mount standard toothbrushes by adding a tiny screw or metal washer to the back.
When the floor of your sink cabinet needs a spruce-up, lay down squares of self-adhesive vinyl tile. They're about a buck a square at home centers and provide an easy-to-wipe clean surface.
Share what's on your mind and see what other DIYers are thinking about.
November 25, 6:14 PM [GMT -5]
Fabulous ideas.
November 24, 11:56 PM [GMT -5]
The toothbrush picture shows prescriptions in the bathroom cabinet. My wife is a pharmacist and says that the bathroom is the worst place to store medicines. Moisture can damage them and cause them to expire faster. A better place is a linen closet or a bedroom closet. That also puts them out of the way of snoopy guests.
September 08, 8:55 PM [GMT -5]
I've used the peel and stick tiles for general resurfacing aorund the home. I've done doors, walls, ceilings, and cabinet exteriors.
September 08, 8:50 PM [GMT -5]
Line the pvc pipes with the rollable baking mats found at walmart/cut to size and super glue inside the pipe. Use what's left of the making mat to make a cusion for the in cabinet toothbrush slot holder, velcro or super glue it into place. These mats are made to bake on, so they are both heat tolerant and safe to eat off of.
June 04, 12:36 PM [GMT -5]
lot of neat ideas, thanks. now to check whether they pass the wife approval test :)
April 29, 4:09 AM [GMT -5]
I can't locate how the PVC is attached to the cabin door on the curling iron holder. Can someone please advise? Thanks
March 21, 4:17 AM [GMT -5]
Have to agree that cutting a series of slots into a chipboard based shelf would be a very tricky DIY proposition without chipping and damage. The chipboard as shown in the article wouldn't last a week before serious water damage. Does make me wonder who wrote it, a carpenter or a journalist........
February 28, 12:20 AM [GMT -5]
Be careful when you put your curling iron away in the PVC pipe because PVC melts at about 150 degrees. Stowaway Products uses Nylon that melts at over 500 degrees so you can put your curling iron, flat iron and Blow dryer away HOT. www.stowawayproducts.com
October 17, 7:50 PM [GMT -5]
These are awsome tips. I have to fix-up a manufactured home that has been neglected for 3 years. All the tips I read about on Handyman have been very helpful. Thanks. I am a 75 year old lady and all the quick easy tips sure do come in handy.
September 22, 4:08 PM [GMT -5]
I also used the sticky tiles in my kitchen cabinets. Looks so much better..
July 15, 9:27 PM [GMT -5]
These are by far the worst designs I have ever seen. I thought it was bad enough when this company would send you their trash magazine and pander for money. Now they ugllin' up the internet. If you are looking for some ideas on storage i would suggest setting up a stumbleupon.com account. Stumble upon will take you to all kinds of sites across the internet according to your interests. A lot of them actually have very practical storage solutions with good design fundamentals.
January 03, 1:07 PM [GMT -5]
I usually love your tips, but my first thought was that the notches for the toothbrushes might need more planning. Toothbrushes are yucky and wet, no matter how much you rinse and shake. The shelf (not to mention the toxins that are leeching from that bare wood) and the brushes need protection. A great space idea that needs more.
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