Adding hooks to the back of your door is perfect solution most of the time, the door is open and noone even sees what’s hanging there. Depending on your door style, you can install hooks on the top and bottom of your door, which is very helpful with young children. Hooks are available as singles, doubles or there is quite a selection of multiple hook fixtures such as the one shown here (purchased at Lowes).

Bathroom Vanities That Work for You

Bathrooms are usually tucked between larger rooms and they often have unusual spaces because they’re next to the hallway or back up to a closet. When you’re short on storage space, you can add shelving in these spaces with a standard unit if it matches a standard width like 12, 15, 18 or 24 inches … or build a custom unit as shown here (to left of bathtub). With one of the walls behind the shower and bath fixtures, the shelving was designed so it could be removed to provide access to the plumbing if needed.

Combination Seating and Storage

Window seats are another choice for adding storage to a bathroom or bedroom. They provide a place to lay out clothing, dress small children and store lots of bulky items like towels and children’s toys. Larger bathrooms with platforms surrounding a tub are another source of hidden storage, where you can build in drawers or other access to make use of space below.

• There are many other ways to create added storage in your bathroom, like a second wall cabinet or storage over your toilet. When considering your options, here are some points to consider:Review what you’re storing in the bathroom. Do you need to keep 2 full sets of towels there, or can one set be stored in the linen closet or bedroom closet?
• Identify items you want to store out of sight like cleaning products and toilet paper. With lots of countertop space, you may be able to arrange everyday items in a nice collection of baskets. Make sure there’s a home for everything and that it’s easy to put things away to avoid clutter.

• When there are multiple bathrooms, don’t keep duplicate things in every bathroom. The first aid kit can be stored in the half bath near the kitchen while an extra medicine cabinet in the master bath can store medications out of children’s reach.

Whether you’re single, married, working at home, have children or like entertaining, every home owner has questions about their home and how to maintain and enhance it to support their lifestyle. Tina Gleisner is the founder of the Association of Women Home Owners, and her passion is helping home owners understand their choices and who can support them for any project across the home ownership lifecycle. The association offers a library of information and a directory of professionals committed to working with women. Whether you’re buying your first home, remodeling a basement, replacing a hot water heater, organizing a home office or hosting a family reunion, Tina wants to help you learn the ins and outs so when you need help, you’ll make that call with confidence! After 30 years in technology, Tina started a handyman business with her “home owner” experience and quickly became a consultant to home owners.

As a successful home professional, Tina is transforming the real estate and construction industries by advocating for, and educating home owners so they can be equal partners when it comes to managing their home. Tina is the host of Home Tips with Tina (BlogTalkRadio), where she interviews home experts and provides home owners with an opportunity to learn about a wide range of products and services for the home, from staging a home for sale to entertaining with a personal chef. www.HomeTipsandTools.com. If you have questions about home maintenance and repairs, contact Tina Gleisner at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We’ll answer as many questions as we can, use some questions for future stories or answer them in our YOU ASKED section.