Creative Ways To Turn Thrift Store Finds Into Useful Bathroom Storage

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Although a bathroom is one of the busiest rooms of a house, it's seldom large enough to house all your toiletries, accessories, and decor pieces without issues. While dedicated organizers can help you out, they cost a pretty penny. So, if you'd rather not burn a hole in your pockets, pop into your local thrift store and pick a few items that can double as storage solutions. 

For instance, a decorative shelf can be a perfect home for your linens. Similarly, vintage glass jars are ideal for decanting your bath salts and keeping track of your makeup. Another reason you should go for pre-owned finds is their uniqueness. You may not see the same piece again, unlike mass-produced organizers. Plus, it's better for the environment to invest in well-loved pieces than buying new ones. Interested in knowing all the ways you can turn thrift store finds into useful bathroom storage? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Bathrooms are one of the best places to use a curio cabinet in your home. The thrifted furniture can add character to the space and double as a linen closet. Use its deep shelves to store your hand and bath towels, extra toilet paper rolls, and expensive toiletries. If you have some space left, display some artwork or figurines to add interest. To ensure your curio cabinet complements the room's décor, sand, stain, and paint it. You can even opt for a metallic finish using something like Very Berry Sticker Store's Gold Contact Paper for a luxurious look. Since these feature see-through panels, keep them organized with matching bins or baskets to minimize visual clutter.

If you aren't a fan of the transparent glass panels of a curio cabinet, add painted doors to a thrifted bookshelf to keep your mess hidden. If you don't have the right woodworking tools or aren't an experienced DIY-er, you can get the MDF for the door cut at a hardware store like Home Depot. Or, just repaint the piece and keep it as open storage to house a mixture of towels and baskets to discreetly store items like toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Ignoring available vertical space is a common bathroom storage mistake everyone makes. But you can remedy it by mounting a thrifted floating cabinet on one of the walls. If you mount it at eye level, add a freestanding mirror on top to create a stand-up vanity. If you mount it higher, store rarely-used items like supplies for guests and overstock toiletries. However, if you place it lower to the floor, stash everyday items, such as cleaning supplies, for easy access. Plus, the cabinet's top is ideal for displaying decorative pieces, like artificial plants and fancy candleholders.

If you find a pretty jar the next time you go thrifting, bring it home to store your bath salts in style. Use this brilliant hack to remove any stickers from the glass surface, and wash it using warm water and some dish soap. Finally, dry it before decanting your packaged bath salts into the jar. If you use bath salts often and have a big supply, grab an extra-large apothecary jar to accommodate your needs and use a vintage tea cup as your scoop.

Are you tired of your travel-size or sample toiletries cluttering your bathroom countertop? Look for sturdy baskets at your nearest thrift store. They have a good storage capacity and will keep all your toiletries organized. Plus, they'll add more charm to your space than plastic bins. You can also use these beautiful holders to keep your washcloths or other items you'd like to store out of sight. Browse the aisles for multiple baskets in cohesive colors to create a set to sort your essentials. Just don't forget to clean your wicker baskets before using them.

If you enjoy reading books, newspapers, or magazines in the bathroom, get an organizer to keep the top of your toilet tank clutter-free. A thrifted magazine holder is perfect for the job. It's pretty and will comfortably house all your reading material. Plus, you can store other items you might need while reading in the tub or on the toilet, such as small towels, a lighter for your candles, or toilet paper. Just keep the holder away from direct water sources, like your shower, and apply a water-repellent varnish for an extra layer of protection from your bathroom's humidity.

Do you need a pretty and versatile organizer to hold your toiletries? Thrift a silver tray and place it on your bathroom vanity. If it's tarnished, use a cleaner, such as Weiman Silver Polish, to get the tray shining like new. Or, you could try out the best way to clean silver-plated items without using any chemicals. To keep the tray from quickly developing a patina, seal it with a protective spray, like ProtectaClear Coating.

The back of a bathroom door is one of the most overlooked storage spaces. So, if real estate is premium in your guest bathroom, look for a woven bag at your local thrift store. Ensure you don't buy a bag that's too big, or you'll have difficulty maneuvering the door. Then, hang your chosen bag from a hook, like Command Medium Designer Adhesive Wall Hooks, so all the essentials are within your guests' reach. Just keep the hook's weight limit in mind and don't overfill the bag.

Hunting through your bathroom drawers for your favorite lipstick or makeup brush can be frustrating and time-consuming. To make it easier to find items, check out the glass section at a thrift store and purchase a few vintage jars. Short jars are ideal for sorting your makeup into various categories like lipsticks and eye and cheek powders. Keep an eye out for tall slender jars that are perfect for things like brushes and eyeliner pencils. Remove any labels with an adhesive remover like Goo Gone Sticker Lifter, rinse them with soapy water, and allow them to try before creating your setup.

Maximize the available storage space in your small bathroom with a collapsible iron shelf. Nestle it wherever there's an empty space and fill the compartments with your cleaning supplies, bulk TP purchases, towels, and decorative elements. However, before you do that, clean the shelf with soapy water and use a rust remover, like Whink, to remove any unsightly corrosion. Or, try to clean it with molasses, a common cooking ingredient that can remove stubborn rust. Since the metal shelf will be in close contact with moisture, spritz it with a layer of WD-40 Anti-Rust Spray to protect it. 

Although a swan might not seem like a décor item for your bathroom, this thrifted goody can turn into an elegant hand towel holder. Clean it up with a damp microfiber cloth prior to taking it outdoors and spray painting it in your preferred shade. To give it a high-end look, apply one of the four metallic finishes in AMACO's Rub 'n Buff line. Once it's dry, place it on your countertop and add your properly folded hand towels so they're neat and clearly visible. 

A great way to maximize storage and give your cute bath accessories the attention they deserve is by hanging a vintage spindle shelf above your tub. If the wood has visible aging, restore it and protect it from humid bathroom conditions with a coating like Watco's Teak Oil Finish Spray. Then, display your thrifted trinkets, decorative LED candles (like DRomance's Flameless ones), and unique perfume bottles here to boost the shelf's aesthetic appeal. 

Looking for an organizer to house spare toilet paper rolls near your toilet? Simply thrift an old side table and bring it back to life. Apply a little paint stripper, such as Citristrip Stripping Gel, to its surface to remove the old layers of paint and varnish. Then, sand the table, wipe the residue with a damp microfiber cloth, and stain it in a light or dark hue based on the vibe you're going for. Otherwise, give it a fresh coat of paint (opt for a crackle variety if you want a distressed look). Once it's ready, house your extra rolls of TP inside and a jewelry organizer, plants, or candles on top.

Thrifted planters aren't just a pretty (yet economical!) way to house your plants. You can use them in your bathroom to hold your bath towels, too. Just clean and paint them so they complement your current aesthetics. Then, roll them up into a tidy shape, place them inside the planter, and set it near your shower or tub for a convenient way to grab a towel. This is also a great way to make your guest bathroom feel more welcoming and spa-like.