How wonderful it would be to have a bathroom with simple lines, gleaming white surfaces, not a toiletry in sight�ahh�
Seem out of reach? Don�t despair! You can achieve a similar �clean and serene� look in your own home�even if designer Italian fixtures aren�t in the budget.
Just follow these ten tips for creating a minimalist bathroom, and you�ll have a space that soothes your soul while you brush your teeth.
The basics:
1. Empty all the (moveable) contents out of the bathroom. Yes, really. You�ll be surprised how many things you�ll find that don�t really need to be there: that moisturizer that made you break out, the hotel samples you brought home from your last vacation, the curling iron you haven�t used in a decade.
2. Go through your daily routine, and put back only those items you use on an everyday basis. If you don�t touch it at least once a day, it doesn�t belong in your bathroom. Keep those seldom-used items in a box in your linen closet instead.
3. Create ample storage. Make sure you have enough storage to keep all items hidden (preferably behind opaque, mirrored, or frosted doors), even if this means adding a cabinet to the space. It�s important that everything have a place.
4. Keep surfaces clear. If you follow only one tip in this article, make it this one. Clear surfaces are the key to a minimalist bathroom. Do whatever�s necessary to keep your hairbrush, deodorant, razor, eye shadow, and other sundries off the countertop.
5. Keep it clean. Basic cleanliness goes a long way towards making your space more serene. Give surfaces a quick wipe down once a day to maintain that spotless look.
The extras: (if you want to go a step beyond�)
6. Paint the walls white (or a very light color). White walls make a small space feel larger and airier, and create a sense of uniformity. To achieve a minimalist look, you want the walls to �disappear;� the less obtrusive you can make them, the better.
7. Replace old-fashioned fixtures with modern ones. This doesn�t mean you have to spend big money on a designer faucet. Simple, streamlined fixtures can be obtained at reasonable prices from home improvement centers like Lowe�s and Home Depot.
8. Replace the shower curtain with a glass or acrylic door. If this isn�t an option, choose a simple clear or white curtain.
9. Use white towels for a luxurious, spa look. Nothing will ruin your minimalist look faster than a hodgepodge of mismatched towels.
10. Accessorize with one decorative item like a single candle, orchid, or glass bowl of pebbles.