20 Small Bathroom Storage Ideas to Maximize Your Space
From your morning shower to your nightly skincare regimen, the bathroom is where we spend a lot of our time. And let’s face it – there’s nothing worse than a cluttered bathroom that turns your daily routine into a challenge. That’s why it’s so important to find the right solutions to stay organized and maximize even the tiniest of spaces. Here, we’ve rounded up 20 small bathroom storage ideas – whether you’re a renter living in a compact apartment or a homeowner tackling a half bathroom.
1. Hang Shelves in the Window
Create space for everyday essentials – think hair products and toiletries – by mounting shelves in the window. Just keep in mind, certain skincare 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Here, Outline Interiors adds functional storage in an awkward alcove by hanging acrylic shelves. Clear shelves – glass or acrylic – are great for small spaces, since they look clean, light, and nearly invisible.
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7. Stow Away Essentials in Wicker Bins
Not only do wicker bins add texture and warmth to any interior, as Bethany Adams Interiors demonstrates here, but they can easily hide clutter. Imagine hot tools, spare toilet paper rolls, and personal care items you’d like accessible but not visible.
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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, just as designer Anastasia Casey does here.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
With these 20 small bathroom storage ideas, you’ll be able to maximize even the tiniest of spaces and make your bathroom a more functional and relaxing space.
What are some ways to maximize storage in a small bathroom?
Use hanging shelves in the window, decorative bins, a small bench, and small organizers. Categorize the bathroom closet, mount acrylic shelving, and use wicker bins.
How can window shelves be utilized in a bathroom?
Mount shelves in the window for storing hair products and toiletries, avoiding light-sensitive items like vitamin C serum.
What decorative bins can enhance both functionality and aesthetic in a small bathroom?
Pretty bins can store cleaning products, washcloths, and skincare, also placed on floating shelves for easy access.
Can a small bench serve dual purposes in a small bathroom?
A wooden bench provides extra surface for towels and decor, and also functions as a step stool for children to reach the sink.
What is a bamboo caddy ideal for in a compact bathroom?
A small three-tier bamboo caddy fits in 18 inches of space between the toilet and shower, suitable for towels and spare shower essentials.
How should a bathroom closet be organized?
Maximize closet space by categorizing, labeling, and organizing items with large baskets for linens, clear bins for toiletries, and color-coordinated hampers.
What are the benefits of using acrylic shelving in a small bathroom?
Acrylic shelves provide functional storage, especially in awkward alcoves, looking clean and light to accentuate the space.
Are wicker bins functional and decorative for a small bathroom?
Yes, wicker bins add texture and warmth while hiding clutter, like hot tools, toilet paper rolls, and personal care items.
How can skincare bottles and jars be displayed as decor?
Shelving with picture lights above can display skincare bottles and jars as decorative elements in a sleek bathroom design.
What is a tiny stool useful for in a small bathroom with limited floor space?
A tiny stool adds charm and decor to unused corners, as demonstrated by using a faux plant on top.
What is a secret cabinet, and how is it beneficial?
A secret cabinet conceals counter clutter behind patterned doors, giving the appearance of a seamless wall when closed.
How can wire baskets under the sink improve a small bathroom?
Wire baskets under the vanity organize items neatly, storing everything from cloths to toiletries in an elegant manner.
What is the advantage of built-in open shelving in a small bathroom?
Built-in open shelving, as seen with Arciform’s design, adds storage space specifically for towels while maintaining a modern look.
How can a bar cart be repurposed in a bathroom?
A bar cart on wheels can serve as a linen closet, storing towels, toilet paper, washcloths, and toiletries on top.
Why should a whole wall be utilized for storage in a small bathroom?
Using built-in shelves across the entire wall maximizes storage for towels, ornaments, bins of toiletries, and cleaning products, enhancing both functionality and aesthetic.
What is a storage ladder useful for in a small bathroom?
A storage ladder hangs towels and baskets of toilet paper without protruding much from the wall, ideal for slim spaces.
How do drawer dividers help in a small bathroom?
Drawer dividers organize vanity drawers, using sections for items like hair ties, blow dryers, and brushes, freeing up space.
What makes a corner cabinet beneficial in a small bathroom?
A corner cabinet with glass doors, suitable for stockpiling bath products, offers extra storage without taking up central space.
What can a bath tray be used for in a compact bathroom?
A bath tray can contain everything from reading material to candles and body products, bringing spa-like luxury to the home bathroom.
How can mounted wire baskets and a mirror with a built-in shelf help a small bathroom?
Mounted wire baskets and a mirror with a built-in shelf substitute for limited vanity counter space, storing items like toothbrushes and toothpaste.
What is a practical solution for lacking linen closet space in a small bathroom?
Rolling towels and hand towels into cute baskets below the vanity combines functionality and style, maximizing storage space.
