“Research shows that many homeowners don’t like clutter in the bathroom and seek storage at their fingertips,” says Steve Bissell, president of Robern, a Kohler company and leader in bath storage solutions.

For an innovative storage option, Robern has designed a new mirrored cabinet for people who want storage along with the aesthetics of a seamless mirror.

The Uplift cabinet isn’t like the standard medicine cabinet over the vanity that opens out and may block your access to the sink. The seamless mirror lifts upward, with a position-hold feature allowing it to stay partly open while you access everything inside. It is deep enough to safely contain medicine bottles, toiletries and a small radio and has an optional mount for an LCD TV. Interior lights and outlets for up to six electronic devices make the Uplift cabinet perfect for bathroom storage so you can have all those items you need at your fingertips. And, they aren’t cluttering the countertop anymore.

If you need additional storage space in the bathroom, try rolling shelves or pull-out baskets that can hide in the cabinets under the sink. You can include one basket for each family member and, since they pull out, you don’t have to crawl on the floor to reach a bottle way in the back of a cabinet.

If you don’t have cabinets under your sink, there are many options for creative storage including bins and baskets to hold items like extra toilet paper, perfumes and colognes or hair-styling accessories. Depending on how tight space is, you can put a cabinet above the toilet, or find a stand-up container to fit between the toilet and the vanity. Another option is to find containers that work well on top of the vanity, allowing you to keep items within close reach.

In the shower, don’t trip on loose bottles of shampoo, conditioner and soap. Find an organizer that fits over the shower head or attaches to the shower wall with suction cups so you can get those items off the sides of the bath or the floor. If you have more than one person using the shower, consider getting each family member a separate organizer.

To keep your outlets uncluttered, make your nightlight part of the vanity mirror. The Uplift cabinet has an interior light to illuminate items stored inside and an optional nightlight along the handle that allows you to see well enough to move about the bathroom safely.

“Sometimes the most inspired ideas are the simplest,” Bissell says.

These questions, and many others, should be at the top of your list when you start mapping out your next bathroom project. Luckily, many manufacturers have made it easier in recent years for you to answer those questions in a painless, affordable way.

“We’ve created several full bathroom suites of fixtures and faucets,” says Jennifer Lee from Danze, Inc. “The elements of each collection were literally made for each other.”

So what should you look for when you’re planning your next bath or powder room project? Here are a few things to consider when choosing the critical elements:

Sink and vanity – Choices are abundant when it comes to the sink area of a bathroom. For those smaller footprint powder rooms, or where storage isn’t as critical, consider a pedestal sink. If a pedestal doesn’t match your taste or function needs, furniture-style vanities can have a significant impact on a room’s decor and add extra storage.

Faucet — This can be one of the most noticeable accessories in the room and one that homeowners and guests interact with the most. Make sure you choose a style and finish that is consistent with the overall decor. A soft brushed nickel or warm oil rub bronze finish can add a distinct detail to the decor. If green options are important to you, explore WaterSense-approved faucets that can reduce water usage by 20 percent, without affecting performance.

Toilet — This is one of the best places to go ‘green’ in your bathroom. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush, saving two or more gallons of water each use compared to many toilets installed in the 1980s and prior. And, don’t overlook the tank lever. Danze and other manufacturers sell individual tank levers in a variety of styles and finishes so you can literally match every aspect of the room’s decor.

Shower system — Years ago homeowners had a handful of choices for showerheads. Today, there are hundreds of styles, functions, finishes and components that can comprise a home’s shower system. This is a recently discovered area of the bathroom that can really show off your design flair and create a unique retreat.

Bath accessories — Accessories are another important way to share the little detailing that many styles offer in the bathroom. Whether it’s the ornate craftsman look of an old-world towel ring, or the sleek, long lines of a contemporary towel bar, make sure to pair up accessories that match your room’s faucet, sink and other elements.

Storage — Homeowners can’t seem to get enough storage in most bathroom floor plans. Again, choosing a furniture-style vanity can give you extra storage space, as can many well-designed mirrors — which should obviously match the wood, finish and styling of the vanity and other pieces in the room.

“Coordinating bathroom pieces is easier than ever,” adds Lee. “Choosing pieces that are created as part of a collection is definitely a time-saver and a reassuring way to know the design details were taken care of for you.”