Maximizing Storage in Small Bathrooms: 20 Ideas for a Clutter-Free Space
From your morning shower to your nightly skincare regimen, the bathroom is a space where we spend a lot of our time. However, for many of us, this space can quickly become cluttered and disorganized, turning our daily routines into a challenge. The good news is that there are many creative and practical ways to maximize storage in small bathrooms, whether you’re a renter living in a compact apartment or a homeowner tackling a half bathroom.
Start by Decluttering
Before you start thinking about storage solutions, it’s essential to declutter your bathroom. Go through your products and tools, and get rid of anything you don’t need or use. This will help you determine what you need to store and where you can store it.
Assign a Home for Every Item
Once you’ve decluttered, assign a home for every item in your bathroom. This means designating a specific place for each item, such as a shelf, cabinet, or drawer. This will help keep your bathroom organized and make it easier to find what you need when you need it.
20 Small Bathroom Storage Ideas
Here are 20 small bathroom storage ideas to help you maximize your space:
1. Hang Shelves in the Window
Create space for everyday essentials like hair products and toiletries by mounting shelves in the window. Just keep in mind that certain skincare products, like vitamin C serum, shouldn’t be stored in bright light.
2. Rely on Decorative Bins
Fill pretty bins with frequently used items, like cleaning products, washcloths, or skincare. Take note from Karen Nepacena from Destination Eichler and set them on floating shelves, so everything you need is within reach.
3. Bring in a Small Bench
If you’ve got a few inches of spare floor space, a wooden bench can serve as an additional surface for storing towels and decor. For families with small children, it’ll be a functional step stool to reach the sink, too.
4. Make Space for a Small Organizer
A small space, maybe 18 inches between the toilet and shower, is all you need to squeeze in a three-tier storage caddy. Fit in towels and spare shower essentials.
5. Categorize the Bathroom Closet
Maximize closet space by categorizing, labeling, and organizing everything you own. Use large baskets for extra linens, clear bins for toiletries, and color-coordinated hampers to make laundry day a breeze.
6. Mount Acrylic Shelving
Clear shelves, like glass or acrylic, are great for small spaces since they look clean, light, and nearly invisible. Here, Outline Interiors adds functional storage in an awkward alcove by hanging acrylic shelves.
7. Stow Away Essentials in Wicker Bins
Wicker bins add texture and warmth to any interior, and they can easily hide clutter. Imagine hot tools, spare toilet paper rolls, and personal care items you’d like accessible but not visible.
8. Display Skincare on Shelves
Fancy skincare bottles and jars can easily double as decor when displayed on sleek shelving. Elevate the look by hanging a picture light above.
9. Decorate with a Small Stool
Limited floor space? No problem! A tiny stool is the perfect way to add charm and decor to an unused corner of the bathroom. Just take it from Karen Nepacena from Destination Eichler and top the surface with a faux plant.
10. Construct a Secret Cabinet
This playful patterned room, designed by Outline Interiors, has a secret medicine cabinet to contain counter clutter. When it’s closed, guests will have no idea it’s there!
11. Opt for Wire Baskets Under the Sink
Wire organizers can help make the most of the space under your vanity. Not only does it look much better, but now you’ll know where everything is in a pinch.
12. Build in Open Shelving
Defined by a whimsical wallpaper and dark blue cabinetry, this small bathroom designed and built by Arciform has four built-in shelves, perfect for storing towels. If your towels will be on display, be sure to choose options that pair with your bathroom design.
13. Repurpose Your Bar Cart
Your favorite place to store wine can double as the perfect linen closet on wheels. Arrange spare towels, toilet paper, and washcloths in baskets and leave toiletries up top.
14. Take Advantage of the Entire Wall
Forget the floor cabinets and floating ledges. Instead, go the extra mile with built-in shelves all over the wall. You’ll truly have space for everything, including towels, ornaments, baskets of toiletries, and bins of cleaning products and hair tools.
15. Try a Storage Ladder
A ladder provides a spot to hang towels and baskets full of extra toilet paper, but it doesn’t protrude much from the wall, making it ideal for slim spaces.
16. Unclutter Your Vanity Drawers
Believe it or not, just organizing your drawers can give you more space to store products. Use drawer dividers to section off items. Choose multiple sizes, one for hair ties and clips, and another for flat irons, blow dryers, and brushes.
17. Opt for a Corner Cabinet
If you’re someone who loves to stock up on bath products, you may benefit from a larger cabinet. Choose a design with glass doors, so you can easily see what you need to grab.
18. Use Bath Trays for Extra Space
Bring the spa right to your home with a simple bath tray that can hold everything from reading material to candles and body products.
19. Clear Off the Countertop
Mounted wire baskets and a mirror with a built-in shelf make up for any space that may be lacking on top of your vanity. Keep toothbrushes, toothpaste, cleansers, and lotions tucked inside.
20. Tuck Towels in Baskets
Turn a problem – no linen closet – into a picture-perfect solution by sticking rolled bath and hand towels in cute baskets below your vanity. Talk about fashion and function all in one!
What are the first two steps to maximizing storage in a small bathroom?
Start by decluttering your bathroom by getting rid of unused items, and then assign a specific place for each remaining item.
How can you create storage space in a window of a small bathroom?
Mount shelves in the window for everyday essentials like hair products and toiletries.
What are some examples of decorative bins that can be used in a bathroom?
Hanging decorative bins can store cleaning products, washcloths, or skincare items.
How can a small bench serve a dual purpose in a bathroom?
A small bench can store towels and decor, and for families with children, it can also function as a step stool.
What is the benefit of adding a three-tier storage caddy in a small bathroom?
A three-tier storage caddy can fit towels and spare shower essentials in a small space.
How can you maximize closet space in a small bathroom?
Maximize closet space by categorizing, labeling, and organizing items using large baskets, clear bins, and color-coordinated hampers.
What type of shelving is recommended for small spaces in a bathroom?
Clear shelves made of glass or acrylic are recommended for their clean, light, and almost invisible look.
What is the function of wicker bins in a bathroom decor?
Wicker bins add texture and warmth to the bathroom and can hide clutter such as hot tools, toilet paper rolls, and personal care items.
How can you display skincare items on shelves creatively in a bathroom?
Fancy skincare bottles and jars can be displayed on sleek shelving, elevated by hanging a picture light above them.
What is the purpose of adding a small stool to a small bathroom?
A small stool adds charm and decor to an unused corner of the bathroom and can be functional as a step stool for children.
What is a secret cabinet in a bathroom?
A secret cabinet is a disguised medicine cabinet that hides counter clutter and only reveals its contents when closed.
What can wire baskets under the sink help with?
Wire baskets under the sink can help organize the space, making it look better and easier to locate items.
How can open shelving enhance a small bathroom?
Open shelving can maximize space by storing towels and other items, making the room appear bigger and neater.
What is a unique way to store bathroom items using a bar cart?
You can repurpose a bar cart to store towels, toilet paper, and washcloths while leaving toiletries on top.
How can utilizing the entire wall improve bathroom storage?
Using built-in shelves all over the wall can provide ample space for towels, ornaments, baskets of toiletries, and cleaning supplies.
What is a storage ladder useful for in a small bathroom?
A storage ladder can hang towels and baskets of extra toilet paper without protruding much from the wall, ideal for slim spaces.
How can organizing vanity drawers increase bathroom space?
Using drawer dividers can section off items in vanity drawers, giving you more space for products.
What is the advantage of choosing a corner cabinet for a small bathroom?
A corner cabinet, especially with glass doors, can provide ample storage for bath products while maintaining visibility.
How can a bath tray add extra space to a bathroom?
A bath tray can hold reading material, candles, and body products, adding spa-like luxury to the bathroom.
What is the benefit of using mounted wire baskets and a built-in shelf mirror on a bathroom vanity?
Mounted wire baskets and a mirror with a built-in shelf can replace countertop space, keeping the area tidy.
How can rolling baskets with towels below a vanity improve bathroom organization?
Tubs or baskets with rolled towels below the vanity can solve the issue of missing linen closets, adding both style and function.
