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How to Up Your Bathroom Storage Game

Bathrooms are famous for collecting clutter. But to be fair, it’s not really your fault and it’s not because you’re a messy person. Most bathroom storage consists of a large open space under the sink, which doesn’t work very well for storing small, and often oddly shaped items like perfume bottles, hairdryers, and medicines. Add the desire to keep frequently used items out in the open (think toothbrushes) and you’ll find a cluttered bathroom countertop in almost any home in America.

A bathroom remodel gives you an opportunity to really stop and think about what you use and how you use it and create a setup that will have a place for everything. We talked with Normandy Designer Liz Reifschneider about some of her tips for smart bathroom storage, and some of these ideas make such perfect sense, you’ll wonder why they aren’t a part of every single bathroom.

trio of hampers to make sorting laundry easy

Drawers, Not Doors – “Most bathroom vanities you see are basically just open cabinets with one or two large doors,” says Liz. “While you can’t get away from that entirely because of the plumbing under the sink, you may be able to find a space for a few drawers, which allows for easier access to everything .”

Add Dividers –Imagine… all of your hair styling tools and cosmetics organized and within reach. It can be done! Just take it a step further with drawer dividers and compartmentalized storage. BUT… while we are giving you the green light, it’s important to do your homework first.

bathroom organization

“Make sure to plan for adjustable dividers so you can have flexibility when placing your smaller items,” added Liz. “It’s nice to have everything in its place.”

Insert Pull Outs – Who says pull-out spice racks are just for the kitchen? They work just as well for bathrooms — especially for smaller items like medicine bottles, deodorants, and nail polish. Pull-out hampers are also a good idea.

"hers" side of the master bathroom vanity includes sink and makeup table

Tuck Away Trash – While all bathrooms need a garbage can, it doesn’t need to be this unsightly thing. Instead, you can sometimes install a small one to the back of the cabinet.

You Can Hang– Hang up some shelving. From a practical standpoint, it’s great for storing linens. But, it can also provide a way to display decorative items without looking cluttered.

Set up a time to talk with one of our Designers about getting your primary bathroom in order. Or, visit the Normandy photo gallery for photos of other remodeled bathrooms to spark your inspiration. You can also follow Normandy Remodeling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more trends and insights.

How to Entertain for the Holidays without a Dining Room

So many people are afraid of getting rid of their dining room – even if they only use it to entertain a couple of times a year. It’s easy to see why you might want to take over your dining room to make your kitchen bigger, but this time of year with all the holiday parties on the calendar can give you second thoughts. The truth is – you can still throw a really great party without a dining room.  Yes, you can still seat everyone comfortably. Yes, you’re still a great host. Plus, if you ask us, gathering with loved ones in a relaxed kitchen setting sounds pretty nice.

Normandy Designer Leslie Lee is no stranger to setting up the functional kitchen and entertaining spaces. Here are her answers to common questions about holiday hosting sans dining room:

Q: “If everyone is in the kitchen, how will I cook? Won’t they get in my way?”

A: Not necessarily. Planning a proper work triangle – the relationship between your sink, fridge, and cooktop– keeps workstations within reach and minimizes traffic in that area. This will keep guests out of your way while you prepare your meal.

Q: Without a dining room, where will everyone sit?

A: Don’t worry; you’ll have plenty of room for seating. After all, you aren’t actually losing any square footage. Plus, it’s my job to come up with a new floor plan that provides more efficient use of your space. A few options for kitchen seating include tables, island seating, and even a banquette. Bonus: a combination of these design ideas may help you eliminate setting up folding tables and chairs.

Q: How will I serve my guests?

A: Formal plated dinners can be tricky to pull off, but larger and more open kitchens are great for buffet-style serving. The kitchen island is a natural choice to set out food for your guests, but you can also use a nearby kitchen table or wet bar. You may even have space left over for a beverage station that lets your guests help themselves to drinks and appetizers, leaving you to concentrate on preparing the food rather than fetching drinks for your guests.

Placing things outside of the kitchen also gives your guests permission to serve themselves. Plus, they’ll feel more comfortable hanging around outside of the kitchen as opposed to going in it.

You can set up a time to talk with Leslie about how to use your kitchen and dining room space the best, for the holidays and year-round. Just think… next year you can start new holiday traditions in a beautiful and well-designed space.

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