In an apartment, even a modern one, it is rarely possible to allocate space for a separate laundry room. Typically, the bathroom serves as a home laundry room. This means that it needs to accommodate not only a washing machine, but also a place to store things waiting to be washed.
There are some really cute laundry baskets on sale. They fall into the category of “free-standing elements”. There are, however, other solutions, including embedded ones. Let's look at several ways to store dirty things in the bathroom.
Freestanding laundry baskets
This item can play the role of a decorative accessory that decorates the bathroom and gives it coziness. The main thing is that the basket matches the style. Simple plastic products are not in high demand now. The most popular are wicker models. There are also wooden, fabric, forged, leather, etc. baskets on sale. Thus, for almost any interior you can choose a container that will organically fit into the decor. Almost anyone, but not everyone. So, in a luxurious classic bathroom, a laundry basket may not be entirely appropriate. It's better to hide it.
The advantage of a decorative basket is its spaciousness. These products are usually very tall and voluminous. But this raises another problem: how to find a place for the basket. Yes, so that it does not interfere and does not create crowding.
In a large bathroom it can be placed anywhere. In a small bathroom, it is better to place a linen container in a corner or nook between other objects (for example, between a shower stall and a “moidodyr”). For convenience, narrow and corner samples are produced.
Types of laundry baskets
Freestanding
They can be with a soft or hard frame, with a fabric cover or a cover - a seat that can be used as an additional chair. For families with small children, baskets are produced, decorated with lids in the shape of funny soft toys or flowers.
For carrying, some types are equipped with handles, which is necessary if the washing machine is installed in the kitchen and the basket is in the bathroom.
Another interesting option is two-section paired baskets that allow you to sort laundry by color or material.
These include hanging and folding baskets; their advantage is that after removing the laundry, they are put away and do not constantly take up space.
When choosing furniture for your bathroom, a corner sink with a cabinet is a good way to save space in this room.
If the size of the bathroom allows, you can make a large countertop on which to install an overhead sink.
Built-in
They are located in furniture installed in the bathroom. Such baskets are hidden from prying eyes, do not take up space on the floor, are spacious, and have several compartments for sorting.
Above the basket in a pencil case or closet there are shelves for clean linen, everything is compact, neat and tidy. In a large room, you can install a chest of drawers with a built-in basket, and use the surface as a shelf for small items.
Basket under the sink
In order to save space, small bathrooms are equipped with cabinets under the sink with a laundry basket attached to the inside of the door. This type of cabinet opens like an oven; the capacity of the basket is much smaller than that of other types, but this disadvantage is compensated by its compactness and space saving.
Sometimes regular laundry baskets are also installed under the sink. They are not hidden, but are deliberately tried to be used as a decorative element of the bathroom interior. Most often, low round or rectangular rattan baskets are used for this.
A basket on wheels hidden in a floor cabinet or cabinet
The piece of furniture must have no bottom so that nothing interferes with the rolling out and rolling of the mobile basket. Since the laundry container in this case is hidden from view, its design and appearance do not play a role. If only it was roomy and convenient to use. A design on a frame with fabric or plastic walls or with a removable cover is suitable.
Materials for making baskets
Bathroom laundry baskets are made from a variety of materials. You can find the most unusual solutions on the market, from wood baskets to complex weaving made from various semi-synthetic materials. Basically, baskets are made from the following materials:
- durable plastic;
- wood;
- metal;
- woven fabric;
- decorative weaving;
- leather (natural, artificial).
Plastic laundry containers are the most famous and popular. Plastic can be easily processed; such products can be given any color and shape. There are many different plastic models on the market for any apartment. The plastic laundry basket for the bathroom is easy to clean, the products do not absorb odors or absorb moisture. Plastic is ideal for any bathroom interior, remaining to serve its owner for many years.
A wooden bathroom basket can be placed in many interiors: classic, modern, ethnic, Provence or country. Properly treated wood is suitable for damp areas (for example, aspen). Wooden laundry containers do not cause allergies and fill the bathroom with a special aroma. The only drawback, perhaps, is the high price of the products. Bathroom laundry baskets made of wood materials are suitable for large bathrooms, as they rarely become a built-in part of the furniture.
Metal laundry baskets for the bathroom have recently captivated consumers. Metal baskets made from high-quality alloys will ideally fit into modern stylistic interior trends. For example, high-tech, minimalism, avant-garde and others. Metal baskets are designed for both ordinary apartments and country houses. Such products are found in professional environments (laundresses in restaurants, medical institutions, health resorts), due to their high strength and aesthetic appearance. It is important that the metal is properly processed, then the product is not in danger of rusting and will last for many years.
Fabric bathroom laundry baskets often have a decorative function. Containers for dirty linen made of linen are often foldable due to the softness of the frame. Woven containers come with removable and non-removable fabric. These baskets are very beautiful and look great in any part of the apartment. The downside is susceptibility to moisture, mold and absorption of unpleasant odors. Visually, a bathroom basket resembles a sack-like bale with a lid or tie at the top.
Laundry baskets in the bathroom made of decorative wicker particularly stand out among other materials for their luxury. The shape of wicker baskets is varied: cube, rhombus, square, oval, cylinder. Durable bamboo, wicker, and rattan fibers are often used as a basis. Such products are highly durable, repel moisture, and help emphasize the individuality and status of their owner. Wicker products are suitable for almost any style in the bathroom interior.
Bathroom laundry baskets made of suede or glossy leather can be the perfect accessory to complete the overall design idea. Nowadays, baskets made from patchwork sewing are popular, when small fragments of leather of different textures and colors are sewn together. Leather accessories have a high price and are suitable for special interiors. If such a basket is installed in an ordinary bathroom without any frills, then it will “get lost”, and in appearance it will resemble a bag and simply take up free space. Leather baskets are characterized by high resistance to moisture and deformation.
In fact, it doesn’t matter at all what material the basket for storing dirty laundry is made of. When creating any interior, not only the decorative component of the product is important, but also its functional value.
“Almost built-in” basket
To ensure that the basket does not get in the way and does not live apart, like an alien element, you can fit it under a cabinet, shelf or tabletop “snug-to-skin.”
Ideally, you first need to select, purchase and measure a laundry container and only then install the furniture under which it will be located. And then the “linen storage” will fit like a glove.
Basket attached to the facade
When you open the cabinet or cabinet door, you gain access to the basket. Maximum convenience, while the storage is hidden from view.
Most often, baskets are attached to hinged doors rather than to hinged doors.
Store small items in original organizers
Glass jars and decorative buckets are suitable for storing cotton pads, soap, salt, and small tubes. Interestingly, even ordinary pots and flowerpots for indoor plants can serve as organizers. It is also useful to use multi-storey stands for soap, washcloths and jars in a small bathroom. They don't take up much space and allow you to place a lot of items.
What can be stored in the bathroom? Anything! From cosmetics to towels and bathrobes. Even in the smallest bathroom, you can organize the space so that there is plenty of storage space without you feeling like a bull in a china shop. The main thing is to take a creative approach. So, we present the best ideas for effective storage organization in the bathroom:
Roll-out basket
This is another installation option. Typically, such structures are mounted on ball and roller guides.
The basket can be attached to the front: pull the handle and the door will roll out along with the basket. However, the facade may not participate in the rolling out process.
Basketry
Wicker baskets are popular. Wicker models are universal and fit into any bathroom, regardless of design or tile color. The most common form of wicker basket is a cylinder with a lid and a special thick canvas bag inside. The solution is hygienic, the bag can be easily removed and washed. Wicker laundry boxes can serve as a seat.
Wicker models look stylish and can be unique in design. Usually the products are woven by hand, so if you need a corner model with special dimensions, you can make it to order according to individual sizes. Wicker furniture and accessories are a return to tradition. This is an excellent choice for interiors in the following styles:
- classic,
- rustic,
- Provence
Storing dirty laundry: ideas for a small bathroom
If there is very little space, items awaiting washing can be stored in bags. The linen bag is hung on a hook located on the door, wall or side of the cabinet. Don’t think that a bag is something extremely unaesthetic and rare. Nowadays such details are very popular. There are stylish models with interesting designs. This version of the “laundry basket” will fit well into both a modern minimalist interior and a country setting.
If there is very little space in the bathroom, it is not advisable to cover the bathtub with a blank screen. After all, so much space will be wasted! You can order a design with roll-out or drawers that can successfully serve as a laundry basket.
Another option for a small room is to place the washing machine on a podium, inside of which laundry containers will fit.
How to organize storage of all the necessary little things in the bathroom?
A plastic pipe painted in a bright color became a stand for a hair dryer. And the inner door of the cabinet above the sink provides additional storage space for cosmetics.
Flower pots can be used for more than just flowers)
Hooks for various small items. The point: horizontal surfaces in the bathroom do not become cluttered, hurray!
Like any other thing in the house, dirty laundry should have a place where it will be stored until washed. After all, it is impossible to wash every item immediately after it gets dirty. For some housewives, the accumulation and storage of dirty laundry can become a real problem. This happens more often in small apartments with small bathrooms.
Some people solve this problem by stuffing everything that needs to be washed directly into the washing machine until it overflows. But, in a closed machine drum that is not dry, laundry may suffer from dampness. It is much more convenient, practical and easier to store such things in a place specially adapted for this purpose.
