When I moved into my 1940s colonial-style home, I was so enthralled by its historic charm that I didn't even notice the lack of counter space in the bathroom. The bathroom had a pedestal sink, so it should have been obvious that the space was tight, but through my rose-colored glasses, I could only see the nostalgic elegance that these porcelain beauties exuded in the home. It didn't take long for the spell to wear off.
Although we eventually upgraded our master bathroom sink to one with a small vanity, keeping the counter clean was a daily struggle. The little counter space quickly became cluttered with our daily skincare and hairstyling products, and bottles were constantly knocking over. My frustration with this situation reached a fever pitch when an $85 bottle of Sunday Riley's Good Genes tipped over, sending half the contents down the drain.
I knew I'd run the risk of my skincare spilling and going bankrupt if I didn't come up with a better way to store them. I toyed with the idea of installing a floating shelf to keep my products off my bathroom counter, but I didn't think that would solve the issue of bottles tipping over every time I reached for a product at the back. Storing them under the sink also didn't seem like a convenient option, as I'd have to bend down to get them every day.
What I didn't realize was that I already had this perfect product somewhere in my home. One day, I was clearing out books from the kids' rooms and replacing them with an IKEA spice rack that I'd been using as a bookshelf, when I realized that this rack would also be perfect for storing personal care products. Not only does the spice rack utilize vertical wall storage to free up counter space, it also has built-in guard rails to prevent bottles from falling over..
I immediately installed an IKEA BEKVÄM spice rack in my bathroom and filled it with all of my favorite products, including serums, face masks, makeup brushes, moisturizer, dry shampoo, and more. Not only does it keep these items off my bathroom counter, it also keeps them within reach, making them easy to access and put away while getting ready. In fact, the spice rack has made my bathroom routine so much more efficient that I regret not thinking of putting one there earlier.
IKEA BEKVAM spice rack
$23 on Amazon
While living with a small bathroom and limited counter space still doesn't come without its challenges, the spice rack has made a world of difference in how I use the space. It keeps my counters from getting cluttered and my expensive serums from spilling, and it makes it easy to find and access the things I need every day. Best of all, it's only $7 and adds a stylish element to my bathroom décor. If you don't live near an IKEA, you can find the same spice rack on Amazon for an additional fee.
This article was originally published on Apartment Therapy. Check it out here: $7 IKEA Kitchen Items to Keep Your Bathroom Countertops Clean
