Bathroom Storage Ideas

Packing every inch of your bath with streamlined storage and organization starts with a plan.

Empty every nook of your bathroom. Group like items together. Toss out past-their-prime beauty products, almost-empty bottles of cleaner and dingy towels. Once you’re done, take inventory of what’s left. What supplies do you go through quickly and would like to stockpile if you had the space? What pain points could be improved with a better system? Think about these questions as you start to make a storage plan.

Next, evaluate your bathroom’s storage strengths and weaknesses. If your needs exceed your current storage situation, consider new possibilities. Perhaps you have an empty corner for a tall and skinny freestanding piece. Consider untapped vertical space for a wall unit. Take measurements of the room and existing organization pieces. Take note of the cabinets and drawers in the vanity and the shelves in a linen closet.

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge you need, it's time to shop for solutions.

The space above the toilet may be an untapped storage goldmine. Terrific for a tiny footprint, a freestanding unit fits right over the toilet. It can include closed storage for utilitarian items, open storage for display or a combination of both.

Mount a single narrow shelf over the sink to free up counter space. Or install a tiered unit on an empty wall for towels, toiletries, baskets and decor. For a glam or vintage bathroom, opt for glimmering glass and chrome finishes. Cozy up a space with warm wood tones or go industrial with matte metal finishes. If you have the floor space, a ladder shelf or a corner unit are also great open storage options. With everything out in the open, keep clutter under control in baskets.Mount a single narrow shelf over the sink to free up counter space. Or install a tiered unit on an empty wall for towels, toiletries, baskets and decor. For a glam or vintage bathroom, opt for glimmering glass and chrome finishes. Cozy up a space with warm wood tones or go industrial with matte metal finishes. If you have the floor space, a ladder shelf or a corner unit are also great open storage options. With everything out in the open, keep clutter under control in baskets.

Take a cue from the kitchen. If you have the wall space, a hanging cabinet is a boon for hidden storage. Available in a variety of styles, materials and finishes, there’s a look that’s perfect for your decor. Make sure its mounted to studs or with drywall anchors.

No closet? If you have little floor space to spare, add tall and skinny linen cabinets. Choose ones that allow you to display necessities, plus give you closed storage for towels, hair accessories and more.

Double the function over the sink with a mirror-cabinet combo. It’s perfect for your toothbrush, first aid items, nail clippers and more. Choose between options that mount to a wall or can be recessed between studs.

Tip: Make sure to keep actual medicines in a cool, dry place.

Damp towels need a designated spot, and that place is not a pile on the floor. When folded neatly over a towel bar, bath towels dry fairly quickly. Like a towerl bar, a towel rack may offer more than one bar or a shelf for clean stacks. When multiple people use the bathroom, space-saving hooks are the way to go. Rings work well for hand towels. When installing any option, location is key. Make sure towels are within reach where you need them.

If you’re ready to renovate, step up the storage in your vanity. Unless you’re doing a major renovation, look for a vanity that mimics the footprint of the old one and has ample drawers. For a custom look, go for a vanity set that comes with a coordinating drawer base or linen tower.

Shower and bath organizers: Built-in insets or shelves for bathing essentials are nice, but all is not lost if you don’t have them. Upgrade your shower with a corner unit or a caddy that hangs from the shower head or door for holding shampoo, body wash and other bathing necessities.

Under-sink and linen closet organizers: Without a plan, the cabinet under the sink and the linen closet can devolve into chaos quickly. Make the most of a cabinet with sliding organizers, shelf risers and stackable bins. In a linen closet, group like items together in labeled bins or baskets so you can easily find what you’re looking for.

Drawer organization: Add compartments in drawers so makeup, deodorant, creams, lotions, shaving supplies, hair tools and anything else you might store inside has an easy-to-spot place and won’t slide around.

Tip: Removable adhesive strips make it easy to boost even the tiniest bath’s storage capabilities. Consider solutions such as a magnetic memo board or magnetic strips, hooks and shallow caddies attached to walls, medicine cabinets and the backs of cabinet doors.