So, this bathroom was kind of bugging me.

It’s our guest powder room, and has a functional, but really cheap-looking Formica vanity. I also like to keep extra toilet paper and cleaning supplies in each bathroom. So, there they are, in full view, because there is nowhere else to put them. Storage is a small issue in this otherwise lovely apartment! 

I Googled “hacks for rental bathrooms,” and came up with an idea for sticking a curtain to the vanity with Velcro.

First, I rummaged in my craft supplies and came up with a thrift store tablecloth that was about the right size, and a good heavy cotton fabric.  (As an FS spouse, I am always on the lookout for things that might be useful for covering up less attractive things…you can imagine why.)

I measured the vanity, and cut the tablecloth to allow two inches extra on each side, and four inches on the bottom.

I have found that the best way to keep homemade curtains, tablecloths, etc. from looking cheap or tacky is to allow for a good-sized hem. This gives the items more of a quality feel, and an extra-wide hem at the bottom of a curtain weights it so that will drape nicely.

I used sticky-back Velcro on the vanity, and iron-on Velcro on the curtain.  (I ordered both from Amazon.)

And there we go. Better, right?

Total expense: about $5. Total time: about 45 minutes, start-to-finish.

I like this so much, I am considering applying the same solution to the weird Formica bench in our entry hallway. Could be a good place to store all our winter boots, too.