It’s not whether the toilet paper roll goes under or over, or the seat stays up or down. And it's not even about leaving your tongue scraper by the sink. Nope, it's about reading.
Stashing reading material in the loo is hardly a new concept—your parents or grandparents probably had a stack of magazines on the back of the toilet. But today, home decor has evolved to embrace the "reading on the throne" trend rather than treating it like an afterthought.
Some people think this is genius. Others find it grotesque—the germs, the moisture, yuck! None of it can be good for the books or those who touch them, right? Perhaps. But, hey, we're only human. What else are we supposed to do while clocking time on the john?
"Reading material in the bathroom might be a bit controversial, but it is practical," points out Drew Henry, founder of Design Dudes. "So if you must have that latest copy of Architectural Digest near the porcelain throne, there are now some innovative ways to incorporate reading material in this space. This trend can actually be tasteful and discreet."
So if you're one of those people who can't live without some reading material on the throne, here are some creative and even elegant ways to keep it within reach.
Mount it on the wall
Wall-mounted racks provide easy, unobtrusive access to reading materials.
"Most [racks] do not require a full depth of 12 inches to accommodate four or five magazines,” says Dawn T. Totty, an interior designer based in Chattanooga, TN.
Bonus: If you're prone to clutter, this skinny storage space can help prevent an overload of reading materials. There's no way you're cramming every issue of Miniature Donkey Talk magazine you own in there.
Yet since moisture can be an issue, "just be careful on the placement," warns Henry. "You don’t want it under where you hang towels to dry, because it will get your magazines wet. I would hang it lower, in a spot easily accessible by toilet or tub, since where else would you be reading anyway?"
Hide it
"If you don’t like the books being out in the open but it is a must-have form of bathroom entertainment, mount your rack inside the door of your bathroom cabinet," says Henry. "That way, it is there when you need it, and hidden away when you don’t."Another stealth option? "Consider putting a small chest or decorative container with a lid in your bathroom for magazine storage," Drew continues. "The lid will make sure it is protected, and also hidden out of sight. You could also use the top of the chest or container for some added counter space when not in use."
Because, let's face it: Not everyone wants to read in the loo. Or know that you do.
"There are some things in life that do not need to be envisioned by guests, and this is one," says luxury real estate agent Rachel Valentino. "As a real estate agent who has walked through thousands of homes, the only acceptable method of incorporating reading material in a bathroom is having it tucked away in a drawer or cabinet. It should never touch a counter."
Ladder up
A repurposed ladder takes up very little space, says Totty, yet gives you easy access to assorted magazines and print newspapers. (Remember those?) Shop around for a vintage or antique wooden model. Otherwise, guests may think you're in the middle of a messy DIY project.
Hang 'em on a ... hanger!
Have one of those hangers with multiple rungs that are used for pants? It's also the perfect DIY magazine rack for the loo. Another easy DIY option is to use towel rods.
"Mounted on the wall, they are a fun and easy way to hang your best reading materials with little cost and effort to install," Totty says.
Embrace it with full-on bookshelves
But, hey, if you're going to read in the bathroom, why not own it? Think traditional bookshelves—not just one lonely copy of InStyle. Don't have a lot of wiggle room? Look for shelves that fit over your toilet.
Carve out a wall nook
"Wall nooks are a fabulous way to contain all your reading materials without having to sacrifice any square footage," Totty notes.
Remove only the drywall, frame the interior, and add a coat of paint. From there, you can position a shelf for books or just a dowel rod or two to drape your magazines.
Go high-tech
If you prefer to read on a screen, choose a holder that keeps your, um, hands free.
"The most offbeat, yet efficient, reading accessory that I have seen to date was a free-standing iPad stand that doubled as a toilet paper holder,” says Dayna Hairston, interior designer and owner of Dayziner, in Cary, NC. “While it originally made me do a double take,” she adds, “I applaud the creativity!”