Tiny Baths, Big Fluffy Towels: Can They Co-exist?

My sister and I shared an apartment for almost seven years in NY, and it seemed no matter where we hung our hats, we could not find bathrooms with enough storage. We put organizers over the toilet and on the shower head. We installed a Pogo-like stick with shelves in the shower corner. We hung hooks everywhere. But it still wasnt enough.

It wasn't until my husband and I moved into our home last year that it hit me how to eek out just a little more space from a bathroom with inadequate storage. And it's so obvious, I'm almost embarrassed to write about it. I should have thought of it long ago . . . should have been inspired by old movies with passenger trains, and the dozens of hotels visited over the years. Those big, fluffy towels are rarely kept on the counter, never stacked up on the toilet seat, and never stored in a closet in some other hall or room. They put them on the wall - high and dry, leaving that valuable real estate available for other bathroom sundries. If trains and hotels can do it, why cant we?

Fortunately, retail stores are not as slow on the uptake as me, and train racks are available at Bed, Bath & Beyond, Amazon.com, Overstock.com, Restoration Hardware, and home improvement stores. They come in many finishes

and styles, ranging in price from $21

to $300. I, of course being a frugal homeowner, was scouting for a $300 alternative, and just so happened to find styles to complement our bathrooms at TJMaxx for $50 each. These particluar products are from The Hotel Collection.

We also put one over the tub in the master bath, with a shiny chrome finish to match the other hardware.

These train racks have been such a great find, I tell everyone about them. A friend who is settling into her NYC studio this month, found that The Home Depot carries train racks for about $20 each. But because they are on the small side, I suggested she buy two and install them side by side on the long shower wall. She's going to love how much space she'll create in her closet that is currently bursting at the seems (even though she'll have to tip toe to reach the racks - she's petite!)

If you have tile all the way to the ceiling and must utilize other wall space, a train rack could still work as long as its placed high enough so that no one bumps their head. Another option is this type of chrome towel rack, also utilized by hotels:

It looks a little industrial without the towels inserted, but softens up quite a bit once the towels are fitted into the slots. If you have more towels than this rack can hold, try installing one on top of the other, or placing them side by side. The important thing is find a solution that makes your life easier! (find this product on Amazon.com by a retailer called YouRemodel, http://www.amazon.com/Chrome-Hotel-Towel-Rack-Guest/dp/B000MKKSZ0.)

Photo for Chrome Hotel Towel Rack - 3 Guest Size is courtesy of YouRemodel.