So, as you may recall, we popped this super tall and slim "Billy" cabinet in, just across from the potty chair {yes, that's what we call it in this home full of littles}.
It's crazy the amount of storage that little shelf created. So much storage that originally, I couldn't even use it all and just found place holders and fillers. L O V E when that happens right!?
But something wasn't jiving. All that "open" shelving with stuffed piled in, made the room feel really cluttered. Most likely because the room is only 25 square feet.
Not to mention, while watching the Nate Berkus show one day, I learned a very disturbing fact. That any toothbrush left out in the open in any part of a bathroom, will snag insane amounts of poo germs each time the toilet gets the ol' flusharoo. EEEW. Time to conceal things a bit! If not for the aesthetics of the space, then for the health of the fam!
So, that's exactly what we did. We went back to
So now, all of our linens and toys and toothbrushes are away from floating germs.
And the room, as small as it is, actually felt instantly bigger with the new doors in place. So a quickie couple of minutes to install the new doors, caused for multiple wins in the space!
A before and after?
And for those wondering, those white flowers on the wall are not staying where they are. They also create too much eye noise in the itty bitty room and conflict with the new glass door. Hey, we don't know if we don't try. Plus, it will be a great excuse to get out and photograph some serene nature shots to put in their place!
What other quick and easy fixes are making you smile? What about other great space saving tips for super small spaces?
Two very important things: First, i redesigned my office using a lot of your advice! Its amazing... i went from crap everywhere to actually knowing where to find stuff! Incredible!
ReplyDeleteSecond, I FINALLY realized who you remind me of... Erin from the office... you look just like her :) (thats a compliment.. she's super cute!)
Thanks for all your inspiration!
I love the three little hooks for your little guys beside that cabinet! Although the cabinet is no slouch either :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love those little flowers that I keep seeing as I look through your posts (just found your blog yesterday and absolutely love all your wonderful ideas!)I would love to know where they are from :)
ReplyDelete-Denise
love the bathroom but all i can think of is "ew. poo germs. ew."
ReplyDeleteI have also heard that little fun fact about toothbrushes and toilet flushing. So very ewwww. My favorite, easy tip? Get rid of the stuff you aren't using/wearing. Since having a baby, oddly enough, I've become much more of a minimalist. Happy Friday!
ReplyDeleteLooks Amazing! Did the doors come with the flower design or was that one of your crafty little tricks?
ReplyDelete@Denise, the wallflowers were from amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Umbra-Wallflower-Wall-D%C3%A9cor-White/dp/B0015TI1RE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307123106&sr=8-1
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
xoxo,
Jen
@Kelly, I wish I could take credit for the pretty floral frosted door, and as much as I am hoping to tackle a project like that someday soon, this time I took the easy route and purchased it that way {from Ikea as well}. xoxo!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I was gonna ask about the floral frosted doors too (so looks like something you'd do!). I love the new look! I like how the top is glass & bottom is solid. Really makes it look like a custom piece. I was worried it would take up too much "visual" room blocking with doors....but the frosted glass made it not so!
ReplyDeleteJen that idea is ingenious. I think our bathroom has about the same square footage and is the exact same layout. However I had no idea about the germs and toothbrush thing it makes my skin crawl and is making me want a solution asap. Your billy bookshelf, is it a particular size? Or do they only come in the size that you currently have?
ReplyDeleteI Heart Billy & Ikea!!! I love that you used this piece in your bathroom. What great storage and pretty too. ;)
ReplyDelete@Scott's Crib, here is a link to the one I have: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00085711 {dimensions are Width: 15 3/4 "
ReplyDeleteDepth: 11 " Height: 79 1/2 "}
They offer a ton of options and sizes, you can play around with all of the pieces here: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/11683/
xoxo,
Jen
I love what you did! I had no idea about the germ thing! Ick! We are very lucky with our bathroom, it's small, but because it's an old house there are built-in cabinets & drawers in the bathroom, plus we have a huge closet outside the bathroom. If we owned the house I would get rid of the vanity and put in a pedestal sink because the cabinet lost wouldn't be so bad considering that it would open up the space.
ReplyDeleteI love that! It looks so nice.
ReplyDeleteGood call! I love that things can easily have doors added at ikea b/c it means less dusting and more smiles! =)
ReplyDeletexoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
Jenn you are amazing with what you do in small spaces! How did you get the backing on the bookcase to stick? Is it wallpaper? Do you have any suggestions for where to get nice wallpaper remnants? Love this idea!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic Jen and I'll bet you'll find that you won't miss all the dust that gathers with the open, dark shelves. I know first hand since most of my furniture is black. Love the glass on top it's still open yet clean. Thanks as always for sharing. Fondly, Roberta
ReplyDeleteI LOVE it and I love all your ideas!!! I told my husband about this as a possibility for our bathroom. We currently have a built-in linen closet in our bathroom but we want to renovate (everything is old and the cabinets smell) and in order to get a bigger tub/shower, we'd have to get rid of the linen closet. But we could try to fit this (maybe two of them) somewhere else in there. He thought the bathroom moisture would damage the bookshelf over time. Any thoughts on that?
ReplyDeleteAlso, we watched an episode of Mythbusters a long time ago and they tested toothbrushes in various placed (even in rooms far from the toilet) and there were poo particles on ALL of them! YUCK!!!!
@Chrissy, the bookshelf actually seems to be a similar quality to many bathroom vanities I have seen, and so far we have had zero concerns about the moisture issue. Not to mention it is similar to many of the shelves typically intended for a bathroom or etagere piece, so for the small cost, it was worth a try for us! :) Absolutely a valid concern though!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Jen
I definitely think that was a great move. I'm all about concealing storage. Although I think when it was open you did a fab job of making it beautiful. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been on a cah-raaaazy organizing kick all day...something's in the air!
My friend introduced me your your blog at the first of the year & I just have to tell you I LOVE it! It has given me so many fun ideas for a house when we actually get one! (My husband is in the military so we move a lot!) But it is also fun to do little things to make each house a home for my family & your ideas help a lot. Thank you!! I was wondering if you had a good idea on how to store cameras & i pods etc. right now they end up on my decorative shelf in the office & it makes it look very crowded & unorganized (hate that!) I need something easy to get to but where the kids cant get to it any ideas? Thanks again for all your fun ideas!
ReplyDeleteI love the doors on the Billy!! They're great :) You always amaze me with every blog post - so inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jen, there was this GOOGLE ad covering your comment section. Love your blog!!
ReplyDeleteThe doors make all the difference. They were a great addition.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I love what you did with that shelf, almost as much as I love your site! I just wanted to show you that I used one of your ideas at my blog if you'd like to read about it! I made the earring organizing frame you made back in February and I love it! Couldn't have done it without your inspiration! Here's the link if you'd like to check it out! http://countdown2done.blogspot.com/2011/06/air-vent-covers-and-radiator-grates.html Thanks for your wonderful blog! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete- Brittany
I love your blog and love seeing all the things you do to your home!! You are such an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI have that same cabinet but my glass door goes from the top to the bottom and I love it...great choice for your bathroom...It look great!! Thanks for sharing ;-)
ReplyDeleteLove the cabinet...and anything regarding extra storage...but OMG sick on the poo part!!
ReplyDeleteThe doors look great! What a great way to keep everything concealed but still pretty!
ReplyDeleteAre the doors you have on here on the website? I tried to find them at Ikea yesterday but no luck. Thanks!!
ReplyDelete@Alicia:
ReplyDeleteHere is the link to the top cabinet door: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60104090#/80104089/
and the link to the lower cabinet door:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90181360#/70181361/
Thanks so much!!
xoxo,
Jen
Thanks for the links!!
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as to where you purchased your metal caddy that has all your shampoo and stuff in it? I'm looking for one similar! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat is ur fav store? where u purchased the doors?
ReplyDeletemy bathroom is exactly the same size as ur's, but get's really moldy so I am a little unsure about putting wooden things in there. do u ever clean ur walls w/ vinegar? have heard it helps keep away mold, but not sure if it works!