Kitchen & Bath Design News

JAN 2014

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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Bath Storage By Kim Berndtson In an era when bathrooms are being asked to do more when it comes to storage, designers are being called on to devise creative solutions to maximize storage while minimizing clutter. Photos: Roger Turk B athrooms are quickly catching up to kitchens when it comes to storage needs. In a world where toilet paper is sold in mega-roll packages, shampoo and conditioner are sold by the gallon and vitamin bottles contain enough product to last for months, bath storage has become a greater concern for many homeowners. Storage needs are stretched even further as many homeowners decide to charge electronic items, such as smart phones and tablets, in the bath, while others seek to add 'luxury' items such as beverage centers, cofee makers, mini refrigerators, and even microwaves, all of which can make the morning routine easier – and medicine storage more efcient. And this laundr y list of products doesn't even take into consideration the basics such as towels and washcloths, or the fact that some bathrooms are called upon to do more than store just the typical bath items. At the same time, homeowners want to keep the space neat and uncluttered – no toothbrushes left out on the counter or curling iron cords tangled in a drawer. This month, KBDN spoke with designers about how they're getting creative with bath storage to help their clients maximize space and minimize clutter. Designer: CHRISTINE SUZUKI, ASID, LEED AP; Christine Suzuki & Associates; Seattle, WA nets, with the mirrored center unit being deep enough to serve as an armoire. A closet rod and pant hangers keep clothing organized. Since the upper cabinets sit atop a counter, her clients can conveniently store items such as hot rollers that can be plugged into the wall and hidden from view when not in use. She also incorporated specialized drawer accessories, such as makeup and grooming kit inserts in 'her' vanity; outlets inside the medicine cabinets to hide toothbrushes, and two shower niches to store shampoo, body wash, etc. Storage solutions : Suzuki created a wall of foor-to-ceiling cabi- 46 | Kitchen & Bath Design News Storage challenges: This bath is located in a storage-challenged condominium, so it needed to pull double-duty as linen storage for the entire home, as well as partial clothing storage. "We were doing a lot more than designing a regular bathroom," Suzuki says. Some renovations were also more challenging given the fact that housing units are located above and below this condo. Since the waste hole could not be moved, relocating the toilet was one such obstacle. "She wanted it moved because it was the frst thing she saw when she stepped into the old bathroom," she says. The old toilet was located where the current vanity (next to the shower) is positioned. A new wall-hung toilet was moved to the other side of the wall where it could utilize the existing waste hole, which is "stored" and hidden behind the door of the new vanity. Storage tips: Capture any would-be wasted space, such as that in knee walls and corners. "Finding enough storage is an issue with many of my clients," she says. January 2014 Most diffcult items to store: It's usually the typical bath items, such as towels, cleaning supplies, etc. that are most difcult to store, says Suzuki. "And usually people want to hide items like electric toothbrushes, hot rollers and curling irons," she adds. Storage trends: It's about making sure everything has a home. Specialized storage – such as jewelry and makeup inserts – allows customization, which makes storage more useful. "If everything has a home, it can be put away, yet easily accessed," she says. "Often times, it's about creating storage you don't see to keep the space neat and clean."

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