The heyday of the formal bathroom linen cabinet has passed. Blame lack of space or lack of interest, but many people have moved on to alternate methods for storing or displaying linen. Whether you have a traditional bathroom linen cabinet or are seeking an innovative but functional alternative, here are some ideas for a quick bathroom update.
Unique Storage Options
If your linen is still hidden behind a closed door, be it a closet or a cabinet, you can use interesting and nontraditional containers to hold your inventory. The trend has been toward towels and wash cloths that are rolled rather than folded. Rolled linen can go into a tall basket (for towels) or a small basket or pail (for washcloths). Have some fun by varying the storage containers. Wrap boxes in cool gift wrap or vintage wallpaper samples, or for a crafty touch, cover them in swatches of brightly patterned fabric. For a cottage or wabi sabi approach, repurpose mismatched buckets, pails, glass jars and metal bins to hold bathroom accessories and necessities.
Open Storage
For people who do not have or want a closed-off linen closet, there are various ways to use open storage to contain necessities while looking stylish. Corner cabinets work well in tight spots. Aim for a piece that has doors on the bottom and open shelving on top, allowing you to display some items and hide others. You can use baskets and buckets on the open shelves to hold rolled linen, or you can make a long row of tightly rolled linen in complementary hues and patterns for a bohemian look. For small spaces, a tall but narrow shelf that fits over the toilet works well, or you can install floating shelves in a corner, over a window, next to the sink or above a radiator. Another small space solution is to use metal patio or garden shelves, which tend to be smaller, to hold linen.
Linen Cabinet Possibilities
Think beyond the closet when determining what can serve as a linen cabinet. There are cupboards that fit over toilet tanks. Just be sure they are narrow enough so that no one bumps their head. Place an armoire against the wall outside the bathroom to serve as a linen cabinet. Try an apothecary-style chest with multiple drawers and shelves of different sizes for a unique look. Try a long and low cabinet with translucent doors for a mid-century modern aesthetic, or go bohemian modern with a small dresser or nightstand repurposed to . For a simple, homespun look, skip the cabinet entirely and place linen in tall lidded baskets or metal wire containers that are directly on the floor.
Tags: hold linen, linen cabinet, over toilet, people have, rolled linen, serve linen