Expert Tips for Maximising Storage in Small Northern Beaches Bathrooms
Bathrooms in Sydney’s Northern Beaches are known for their coastal charm, but for many homeowners and apartment dwellers, limited space can pose a challenge. Small bathrooms are common across the region, especially in older homes, units, and townhouses, making clever design essential for both function and comfort.
At Golden Age Tile & Stone, we specialise in small bathroom renovations in Sydney, helping homeowners make the most of compact floor plans without compromising on style. With a deep understanding of space planning, layout refinement and clever product selection, we turn tight bathrooms into efficient, modern spaces with ample storage.
In this blog, we’ll share expert tips and bathroom storage ideas tailored to Northern Beaches homes, covering layout tricks, space-saving fixtures, and smart storage solutions. If you’re looking to maximise every centimetre of your bathroom, read on.
Why Small Bathroom Storage Matters
Bathrooms are among the most-used rooms in any home, but in smaller spaces, clutter builds up quickly. Without thoughtful storage, daily essentials like towels, toiletries, cleaning products and cosmetics can overwhelm your space.
This is especially true in homes undergoing small bathroom renovations in Sydney, where a poorly organised layout can make a bathroom feel even smaller. By prioritising storage during your renovation planning, you’ll improve both functionality and visual appeal.
At Golden Age Tile & Stone, our custom renovations for Northern Beaches and Blue Mountains clients always include a focus on storage that suits your needs, preferences and available space.
1. Wall-Hung Vanities to Create the Illusion of Space
One of the simplest and most effective small bathroom layout tips is to install a wall-hung vanity. Mounted to the wall and raised off the floor, these vanities open up the room visually and make floor space easier to clean.
More importantly, wall-hung vanities offer:
Soft-close drawers or cupboards for concealed storage
Custom sizing options to suit tight spaces
An opportunity to use under-cabinet lighting for added depth
We often pair wall-hung vanities with integrated basins and sleek finishes for a modern coastal look that suits bathroom renovations in Northern Beaches homes.
Takeaway Tip: Wall-hung vanities can make a small bathroom feel larger while offering just as much storage as traditional floor-mounted options.
2. Recessed Mirror Cabinets for Dual Function
In compact bathrooms, every fixture should serve more than one purpose. A mirrored cabinet offers both reflection and hidden storage without taking up bench space.
Recessed mirror cabinets are installed into the wall cavity, providing:
Shelves for medicine, skincare and toiletries
A flush, minimal appearance that reduces bulk
Mirror visibility at face height, perfect for daily grooming
We recommend mirrored cabinets with adjustable shelving and soft-close hinges for both practicality and luxury.
3. Built-In Shower Niches Instead of Caddies
Shower storage can quickly become messy with plastic caddies or hanging baskets. Instead, a built-in niche tiled to match your wall provides an elegant, permanent storage solution.
We build recessed shower niches that:
Are customised to your preferred height and size
Keep soap, shampoo and razors off the floor
Add visual interest with feature tiles or lighting
These are especially valuable in small bathroom renovations in Sydney, where wall space is at a premium.
4. Tall, Slimline Cabinetry for Vertical Storage
When the floor area is limited, look up. Vertical storage takes advantage of unused wall height, creating ample space for folded towels, cleaning products and even small laundry items in combined bathroom-laundry areas.
Tall cabinetry works well in:
Narrow bathrooms in Northern Beaches units
Combined spaces for laundry renovations in Northern Beaches
Guest bathrooms where you want to keep essentials out of sight
We customise cabinetry finishes to match your vanity or tile scheme for a seamless look.
5. Floating Shelves for Open Storage
Open shelving is an ideal way to increase storage without overwhelming the space. Particularly suited to coastal bathroom designs, timber or glass shelves can be placed above the toilet, beside the mirror or above a towel rail.
We recommend:
Floating oak shelves for warm, natural tones
Glass shelves for a clean, light-reflective look
Staggered arrangements for visual balance
Display folded towels, plants, or curated baskets to make your bathroom feel more styled and organised.
6. Wall-Mounted Tapware to Save Benchtop Space
Storage isn't only about cupboards and drawers, it's also about how you use every surface. Wall-mounted tapware frees up bench space, especially in vanities where the basin is small or under-mounted.
This is a go-to option in our small bathroom renovations across Sydney, as it:
Reduces visual clutter
Simplifies cleaning
Pairs beautifully with minimalist, modern styles
We often combine wall-mounted tapware with stone or tiled splashbacks for durability and design cohesion.
7. Sliding or Pocket Doors to Free Up Floor Space
Traditional swing doors take up valuable room and can interrupt bathroom layouts. In small bathrooms, installing a sliding or pocket door allows you to reclaim usable space and reposition storage elements more freely.
We recommend this for:
Apartment bathrooms with tight entry points
Ensuites in master bedrooms
Guest bathrooms where privacy is still essential
If you’re considering a wider renovation, sliding doors can also be integrated into kitchen renovation in Northern Beaches homes, especially where open-plan flow is a priority.
8. Multi-Function Fixtures
One of our key recommendations for clients undergoing bathroom renovations in the Northern Beaches is to choose fixtures that serve multiple functions. This might include:
A combination mirror and lighting fixture
A laundry hamper integrated into a drawer
Dual-purpose towel rails with shelving
These features allow your bathroom to do more with less, ideal for homeowners looking to increase storage without adding more bulk.
9. Use of Light Colours to Visually Expand the Room
Storage doesn't always come down to physical cabinetry. Visual space matters too. Light, neutral colours reflect more light and make the room feel larger, giving you more flexibility with your design choices.
Popular choices include:
Off-white, sand, or stone-toned tiles
Light timber-look joinery
Satin or matte finishes over high-gloss (to reduce glare)
These finishes work especially well for bathrooms in apartments and townhouses where natural light is limited.
10. Combine Bathroom and Laundry Renovations for Cohesion
In many homes across the Northern Beaches and Sydney, bathrooms and laundries share a space. If this applies to your home, consider combining your renovations to improve overall function and storage.
We often help clients integrate:
Pull-out laundry hampers into vanities
Overhead dryer and washer cabinetry
Fold-out ironing boards or hidden hanging rails
By coordinating the materials and layout, we ensure both zones feel unified and clutter-free, essential in small homes.
Our Approach at Golden Age Tile & Stone
At Golden Age Tile & Stone, we take a holistic approach to small bathroom renovations in Sydney. We begin with a personalised consultation to assess your space and requirements, then create a custom layout that improves flow, comfort and storage.
Whether you’re renovating a compact bathroom in Manly, upgrading an ensuite in Neutral Bay or refreshing a family bathroom in the Blue Mountains, we bring years of tiling, joinery and renovation experience to every project.
We also help clients plan laundry renovations in Northern Beaches homes and offer combined kitchen and bathroom remodels across NSW.
Visit www.goldenagetileandstone.com to view our work and book a consultation.
Final Thoughts
Storage is one of the most important elements in any bathroom, but even more so when you’re working with limited space. By choosing wall-hung vanities, recessed cabinets, vertical storage and multi-purpose fixtures, you can dramatically increase functionality and enjoyment of your bathroom.
At Golden Age Tile & Stone, we’re experts in designing for small spaces. If you’re planning a bathroom renovation in the Northern Beaches or anywhere across Sydney, we’ll help you create a stylish and organised bathroom that works for you and your lifestyle.
