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Those of us who have embraced the concept of minimalism know how it is not only limited to fashion and the interior. The rules of this philosophy are also applied to every part of our daily lives to keep things simple, clean, and efficient.
Like every other room of our home, we can also extend that simplicity to the bathrooms. This is the place where we find inspiration to start a new day with a fresh mind or relaxation after a long day at work. So it can’t be an area that seems too crowded and makes us feel trapped.
Along with ensuring optimum temperature and proper plumbing for the bathroom, we also need to check if it has all our necessities for a productive stress-free lifestyle. And that is why we are here to list all the minimalist bathroom essentials for you!
Principles Of A Minimalist Bathroom
Like any other interior trend based on minimalism, having a minimalist bathroom also comes with a set of fundamental principles you can follow to really embrace this lifestyle. Here we will discuss a number of them in brief.
Organic And Natural
Since the primary purpose of a minimalist lifestyle is to keep it simple and enjoy things without causing harm to the planet, choosing organic and natural elements is essential for a minimalist bathroom. Such materials include wood, cotton, bamboo, linen, jute, and hemp.
Cruelty-Free
In addition to protecting the environment, the philosophy of minimalism also includes ensuring safety for all animals and protecting them from being exploited. So before settling for a brand, check on their website if it is a cruelty-free brand that doesn’t harm any animal or living being.
Biodegradable
For all the products related to skincare, haircare, and similar daily activities, opt for biodegradable packaging since it is better for the environment than plastic. Such packages are manufactured from naturally occurring molecules like protein and cellulose. As a result, they can mix into the environment when thrown away and not affect the ecosystem negatively.
Bulk Refilling
If you are using any brand that regularly brings in refill packs for your chosen products, take advantage of it and do the planet a favor! Because of this habit, you can significantly minimize the amount of wastage, resulting in a healthier environment. It is best to do these refills in bulk to make each shopping trip efficient.
Skincare Ingredients To Avoid
Since you will do most of your daily skincare routine in the bathroom, these items will probably be placed there. So among these bathroom essentials, you have to be aware of only including minimalist skincare brands which use ingredients fitting the narrative.
Some of the ingredients to avoid in skincare and other products are parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, triclosan, toluene, hydroquinone, SLS/SLES, and PEGS.
Minimalist Toiletries Essentials
Soap Tray
Have you ever felt annoyed with the soap bar slipping out of your hand over and over again? Or not getting enough from it to lather your hands properly? This is why we all need soap trays, but that is not all it can do for us!
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Soap dispensers save us the trouble of lifting an entire soap bar every time we wash hands and prevent us from using excessive amounts. Both of them contribute to the efficient lifestyle we are looking for as minimalists.
Moreover, such dispensers are designed to keep simplicity in mind. They are not built to have elements or patterns that only provide style without any convenience. Minimalist soap tray are usually simple containers with an elegant shape and a solid color.
Toothbrush Holders
We all need to be mindful of our dental hygiene since a bit of carelessness can cause long-term pain and trouble later. A part of that routine is having our toothbrushes handy in a toothbrush holder.
If you live by yourself, you can go for a very minimalist toothbrush that holds only one brush at a time. Alternatively, you can go for a bit larger ones that simultaneously store other regular bathroom essentials like toothpaste. This can save space and make the brushing routine more convenient by keeping the brush and paste right next to each other.
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The trend among minimalist bathrooms, however, is to use the former category of toothbrush holders. They can be a narrow open-headed container or a small cylindrical structure with space in the center to hold your brush.
No matter what kind of holder you choose, remember to include a cap for the tip of your brush to stay safe from dust and any intruder insect. That is essential for ensuring hygiene and preventing minor health hazards.
Toothbrushes And Toothpaste
What would you do with a toothbrush holder if there is no toothbrush to keep?
Of course, silly question.
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And that is why these two also qualify as our minimalist bathroom essentials. Start the day fresh every time with the feeling of freshness in your mouth!
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You can go for the traditional brush or an electric one for more effective cleansing. It might be hard for a typical toothbrush to reach the wisdom teeth in your mouth. An electric toothbrush can solve that issue with its tiny head and automated mechanism. As a result, you don’t have to deal with any food residue later.
Towel Holder
You can store all your required towels on a sleek minimalist stand in your bathroom. Such towel holders are usually designed to have very slim rails or bars so that they don’t take up too much space and can still get the job done. The most common colors seen for them include black, white, silver, and wooden.
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If you don’t want a full rack as your towel holder, you can install a smaller one in the wall. These typically come with three or more horizontal bars so that you can slip each towel in one. Occasionally, they are a horizontal line with hooks for each towel.
Trash Can
Most of us don’t pay any heed to trash cans when we think of minimalism. But they do play a role in that type of interior!
Instead of the usual black or grey plastic bins, you can opt for a smaller one with matte finishing and a tiny pedal to open its lid. There can be many variations of design, especially about its opening mechanism and shape.
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Although cylindrical is more popular, you can try anything from basic to experimental, as long as it is simple, elegant, and convenient. Additionally, multiple trash cans or a single can with two openings can help you sort the garbage based on its recycling capability.
Body Brush
A body brush can help you scrub out the nearly invisible dirt particles from your skin. Such brushes can be long or short, depending on your requirements.
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Their soft but strong bristles are designed to massage your body gently in an upward motion. Along with getting rid of dirt and dead skin, it also makes the skin brighter and increases the effectiveness of your moisturizer.
For a minimalist bathroom, make sure that both their bristles and handle are made of natural components.
Toilet Brush
To keep the toilet clean and hygienic, you will need a toilet brush. Instead of the usual storage, minimalist toilet brushes come with a sleek container with defined edges and elegant shapes. Some of the shapes are pretty interesting, which will add to a unique interior for the bathroom.
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With a modern toilet brush like this, you don’t have to worry about storage or ruining the stylish vibes in your bathroom.
Toilet Paper Stand
Toilet paper stands are already quite minimalistic. All they have is a small rail to put the paper roll in. So, by default, they already add to the minimalist lifestyle. However, if you want to bring something new to the bathroom with it, try to find the stands with a matte finish and open-ended rail.
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Exfoliating Washcloth
Exfoliating washcloths or scrubs help you to eradicate the dead skin cells and dirt residuals from your skin. These are minimalist bathroom essentials because they are indispensable for your skincare routine, and they don’t take up much space. We will expand on it further in our fabrics section.
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Spray Bottles
You might need a spray bottle for many purposes in your bathroom. Typically, they are used to store air freshening or cleaning solutions. Because they can be refilled easily, they save you from piling up empty bottles after running out. Their convenience and ease of use make them essential for minimalist bathrooms.
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First Aid Kit
Keeping this kit in your bathroom can help you fix the wound or physical damage under the running water. It is vital for anybody who has a medical condition that often causes mild physical issues.
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Menstrual Pads
For us ladies, having menstrual pads handy holds a lot of value. We don’t always know when the trouble comes, and it may be awkward for you to get the pad if there are people around. To save yourself from such uncomfortable situations, start keeping pads in a bathroom cabinet.
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Natural And Organic Fabrics
Shower Curtain
Most of us don’t think of our shower curtains being bad for the environment. But unfortunately, most shower curtains are made from PVC or similar plastic materials, which can harm our environment and the planet for centuries.
A 2008 study by CHEJ (Center for Health, Environment & Justice) discovered toxic chemicals, including VOCs, organotins, metals, and phthalates, in the PVC shower curtains sold at popular shops like Target and Walmart.
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That is why using natural and organic fabrics for shower curtains matters so much. Such sustainable shower curtains can reduce the presence of chemicals in your home and also your exposure to them. For eco-friendly shower curtains, you can choose from biodegradable materials like linen, hemp, and jute.
Among them, jute naturally repels water, and hemp uses its antibacterial properties to prevent mold buildup.
Bath Mat
You will need one or two bath mats so that you don’t have the risk of falling on a slippery floor. They will also help to keep the floor clean and dry by soaking up excess water. This, in turn, contributes to the prevention of mildew growth. Choose materials like natural bamboo, wood, or cotton instead of non-biodegradable ones to make it sustainable.
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Towels
Towels are a minimalist bathroom essential that will keep your skin dry, and having several of them makes sure that the microbes of one are not interacting with the others. The most popular eco-friendly materials for towels are linen and organic cotton.
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Minimalist Bathroom Storage Essentials
Organizer Containers
To store all the cleaning items and other bathroom essentials properly, you will need organizer containers. These are often storage bins with lids that can be stacked over each other to save space. They are also quite convenient since you don’t have to spend too much time finding what you need and accessing it.
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Canister Storage Organization
Another popular form of storing the bits and pieces for your bathroom is canisters. Invest in some cylindrical jars made from a sturdy and transparent material to keep your skincare or haircare essentials like cotton balls, Qtips, rubber bands, and more.
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Conclusion
These minimalist bathroom essentials not only keep our arrangements simple, clean, and efficient, they also help us contribute to the sustainability of our planet. They save us the time we would have otherwise wasted on finding the correct item and save us a significant amount of money that we might have been tempted to waste on things we don’t even need!
By having the proper toiletries, fabrics, and storage solutions in your bathroom, you can enjoy being a true minimalist!