60 Clever Small Bathroom Storage Ideas
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As an interior designer, I've always been fascinated by the challenge of creating beautiful and functional spaces, especially in older buildings with unique space constraints. I had a recent trip to Washington DC and stayed in a gorgeous, retrofitted hotel. While the hotel itself was stunning, with carefully selected finishes and modern touches, the small bathroom posed a storage dilemma because the sink vanity was one of those wall-mounted styles with 2 metal legs in front - meaning, there were no surfaces to store or rest anything. With limited counter space and few options for adding additional storage, I found myself struggling to find a place for my toiletry bag, makeup, and accessories. Even finding a spot to rest my hair dryer and styling tools proved to be a challenge.
This experience served as a reminder of the importance of balancing form and function in interior design, especially when working with small spaces. It's not enough to simply make a bathroom look beautiful; it must also be practical and functional for daily use.
In this blog post, I'll be sharing clever small bathrooms storage ideas and stylish product suggestions to optimize your space, especially if you cannot change your bathroom vanity sink. I went a little overboard with a whopping 60 (!!) ideas. But it’s because this is how strongly I feel about this.
Whether you're dealing with a small bathroom space that limits your renovation options or simply looking to make the most of every inch, this is for you.
List of Contents
A | Wall-mounted Storage Cabinets
When you're short on square footage, think vertically! Capitalize on wall-mounted solutions that you can install above a toilet or sink and on any bare walls. These options provide additional storage for towels, toiletries, and decorative items without consuming precious floor space.
A plethora of wall-mounted choices exists for wall-mounted medicine cabinets with hooks and item-specific storage for toothbrushes, makeup, and small trinkets. These solutions help maximize your bathroom's storage potential while keeping the space clutter-free and organized.
haze wall cabinet | $459
fern wall cabinet | $698
mid century bathroom storage cabinet | $249
Bamboo Bathroom Wall Storage Cabinet with towel bar | $105
OVER THE TOILET BAMBOO STORAGE WITH TOWEL BAR | $80
SWIVEL STORAGE MIRROR | $229
SIMONE MEDICINE CABINET | $498
SHARD MIRROR CABINET | $459
Edge Brass Arch Medicine Cabinet | $379
Cubiko mirror & storage | $100
bree mirrored shelf | $368
B | Wall-mounted Shelves
These are a practical and stylish storage solution for bathrooms of any size. Their low-profile design makes them a perfect choice to maximize space without compromising functionality. The modular nature of wall-mounted shelves allows for flexibility in installation, as they can be stacked vertically to take advantage of vertical space or arranged side by side to accommodate longer walls.
This versatility allows you to create a customized storage layout that suits your specific needs and bathroom layout.
They are great open storage for toiletries, decorative items, or even towels if they have rods.
floating shelves with metal frame & towel rack | $90
WOOD FLOATING SHELVES | $180
3 tier shelves with black metal frame | $27
modular peg board | $40
audo copenhagen epoch clothes rack | $220-$275
floating wood box shelf | $44
wooden wall shelf matte black | $46
maison two-tier bathroom shelf | $248
gabrielle bath salt caddy | $50
marinell shelf | $98-$118
acrylic floating shelf 2- pack | $31C | Over-the-Door Bathroom Storage
Another frequently overlooked solution, and my personal favorite, is over-the-door storage. Whether you hang or mount these organizers on your bathroom door, they provide the perfect space for storing everything from hair tools to bathroom supplies, keeping them easily accessible.
This clever storage option maximizes the use of your bathroom door, an area that is often underutilized, and helps keep your essentials organized and within reach without compromising your limited floor space.
elfa utility large wire over the door rack | $146-$170
elfa utility wire mounted door & wall rack | $139
over the door tiered towel rack | $35
D | Drawer or Cabinet Organizers
If your sink vanity has built-in storage, drawer or cabinet organizers are essential for keeping items neatly arranged and easily accessible. These organizers help you make the most of your available space by providing designated compartments for different items, reducing clutter and more importantly, saving you time when searching for specific products - especially when you’re in a rush to get ready for work!
You can also maximize the vertical space under your sink by using tiered racks and stackable bins. They allow you to take advantage of the often-wasted space, providing additional layers of organization and making it easier to keep your bathroom essentials tidy and well-organized.
plastic dual canister jar | $13
4-pack 10 oz. clear plastic jars | $12
6-piece set stori drawer organizers | $16
touch toothbrush holder | $9
ceramic bathroom accessories set | $75
2-TIER ACRYLIC COUNTERTOP ORGANIZER | $15E | Under-the-Sink Organizers
For under the sink, consider installing pull-out shelves or drawers to make reaching items in the back effortless. This eliminates the need to have to rummage through your cabinets and prevent you from stretching or even worse, straining yourself when you reach for items stored in the back.
PULL-OUT UNDER SINK ORGANIZERS | $40
STORAGEBUD 2-TIER UNDER SINK ORGANIZER | $20
STACKABLE UNDER SINK ORGANIZER | $31
F | Slim Storage Carts
If you have a sink with no storage underneath, there are still plenty of ways to make the most of that space. A slim rolling cart next to your sink can hold essentials like towels, bathroom essentials, or even storing bulky items like extra shampoo and soap. Look for pieces with slim profiles that won't take up too much visual space.
You can also roll it out of the way when not in use to keep your bathroom feeling open and uncluttered.
slim 3-tier wire rolling storage cart | $59
slim beauty cart | $229
rolling slim bathroom utility cart | $145
movable bathroom storage cabinet narrow | $80G | Freestanding Slim Storage
These narrow cabinets, often measuring just a few inches wide, provide ample storage without taking up premium floor space. With a variety of designs available, from sleek modern styles to charming rustic options, I’m sure you can easily find a cabinet that complements your bathroom's decor.
The freestanding nature of these cabinets allows for flexibility in placement, so you can tuck them into a corner or nestle them beside your sink.
4-tier lohas tower shelves
BATH VALET IN ANTIQUE BRASS AND MARBLE | $529
LAUNDRY HAMPER WITH SHELVES | $70-$87
TALL BATHROOM LINEN CABINET | $80
3-TIER BASKET TOWER | $25
Bathroom Cabinet Bamboo Storage Floor Cabinet | $70H | Toilet Paper Storage
Don't overlook the humble toilet paper holder as a potential storage solution in your small bathroom. While its primary function is to keep your toilet paper rolls within reach, many modern designs incorporate additional storage features.
Look for toilet paper holders with built-in shelves or compartments, which can provide a convenient spot to store extra rolls, a small plant, or to rest your phones.
TOILET PAPER STORAGE | $56
WHITE TOILET PAPER HOLDER WITH SHELF & DRAWER | $30
TOILET PAPER HOLDER WITH SHELF & WIPES DISPENSER | $35
KELLY STANDING TOILET PAPER HOLDER | $158
MARBLE TOILED PAPER HOLDER WITH SHELF | $27I | Shower Area Storage
The shower is another area where storage can be scarce. Installing a corner shelf unit is a great way to keep your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash organized and easy to grab. Tension rods and hanging organizers are also fantastic for storing shower essentials, while the back of your shower door is perfect for hanging a pocket organizer to hold razors, loofahs, and other small items.
OVER THE SHOWER GLASS HANGING 2-TIER CADDY | $159
OVER THE SHOWER GLASS BATHROOM CADDY | $90
ARCHITECTS 2-TIERED HANGING SHOWER CADDY | $727
SYLVIE BATH CADDY | $78
TEAK SHOWER CADDY | $90
OVERHEAD BAMBOO SHOWER. CADDY | $45
CORNER SHOWER CADDY TENSION POLE | $60
TENSION POLE SHOWER CADDY | $140J | Decorative Ladder
A decorative ladder can be a stylish and functional addition to a small bathroom, providing a clever storage solution for towels and other essentials.
By leaning the ladder against a wall, you can create vertical storage space without taking up valuable floor area. Drape fresh towels over the rungs of the ladder, keeping them easily accessible and neatly organized.
Attach small baskets or bins to the ladder using hooks or clips, allowing you to store toiletries, washcloths, or other bathroom items.
TRAVIS DECORATIVE TEAK LADDER | $128
CANE-LINE CLIMB LADDER | $385
ASIDE STORAGE LADDER | $175The key to maximizing storage in a small bathroom is to think outside the box and make use of every available inch. By implementing these clever ideas and staying organized, you'll be amazed at how much more functional and spacious your tiny bathroom will feel.
I hope these small bathroom storage ideas have inspired you to take control of your space and create a beautiful, clutter-free space!