Some people say that you can tell a lot about a person by looking at their bathroom.  I shudder to think what my bathroom might be telling anyone about me.  Believe it or not, style and design are not the most important aspects of your bathroom as judged by the outside world.  It's really all about storage.

Bathroom storage has two major goals: to provide access to your stuff and to eliminate clutter. If there's no closet or cabinet in your bathroom, this can be a huge challenge.  Here are some ideas that might help you overcome this problem.

Add some new shelving to your bathroom 

Wooden shelving not only provides extra storage space, but the rich wood tones give your bathroom a feeling of warmth.  Or you could add rubber-coated wire shelving, which provides a more open feel and tends to be more contemporary.

Add a freestanding cabinet if you have room

Feel free to think "outside the bathroom."  There's really no need to limit yourself to bathroom storage options.  It's okay to use cabinets there were originally designed for other purposes.  This will tell people that you are really creative.

Baskets are a great storage option 

Nested baskets are a good idea if you want to organize your toiletries.  Wall-mounted baskets save floor and shelf space.  If you're working in a really small bathroom, you can use multi-tiered hanging baskets suspended from the ceiling.

Chrome or clear storage accessories can really brighten up your bathroom

They are especially good for adding function without adding clutter.

If you like knickknacks or souvenirs in your bathroom, put them up high 

I mean really high.  I mean like on a shelf up next to the ceiling instead of crown molding.  They'll still be there to decorate your bathroom and communicate your personality, without taking up valuable space needed by other more important items.

Utilize the space over the toilet and under the sink 

Over the toilet storage options provide more storage room without taking up floor space.  If you have a wall-mounted or freestanding sink without a cabinet, you may be able to store more items there.

In general, when your lack of bathroom storage puts you in a tight spot, think "up."  Vertical options and high storage draw your attention and your eyes upward, and people will be fooled into thinking your bathroom is larger than it really is.  And if they listen to what your bathroom is telling them about you, then they're going to think that you're really clever.

Article provided courtesy of My Bathroom Guide - a resource for bathtubs, shower stalls, and bathrooms.