In our closet-sized bathroom, almost all our storage is mounted to the wall. Dealing with our own space limitations prompted us to look into ways to improve storage in a small bathroom. Since the bathroom is a major clutter collector in many homes, we recommend getting rid of what you can, but if you've found that decluttering still doesn't leave enough room for the basics, here are some other options:
Wall-Mounted Storage: Towel racks, shelving, and wall-mounted cabinets all provide storage space without a large footprint. This polished nickel shelf with hooks is $99 at Amazon. For more wall-mounted storage options (including the shelving shown in the top photo), see this post.
Over-Sink Storage: The standard solution for over-sink storage is the medicine cabinet, but there are other options as well. Open shelving, wall-mounted cabinets, and wall-mounted racks are just a few things that can replace the shallow storage space of the medicine cabinet. Use a wall-mounted extension mirror so that you'll still have a vanity spot in the bathroom. Restoration Hardware has a good selection of extension mirrors, including this Sutton Mirror currently on sale for $63.99.
Under-Sink Storage: If you have a sink with built-in cabinet storage, you can use stacking shelves to increase the amount of storage space. Even if you have a pedestal sink, you can find under-sink shelving like this chrome shelf from SkyMall for $29.99. If you want to cover the shelves, you could sew a curtain to fit the area and use velcro to attach it to the sink.
Shower Storage: Shower caddies are great space savers in the bathroom. This adjustable shower caddy from simplehuman ($39.99) has multiple storage compartments, holders for upside-down bottles, and adjustable shelves.
Over-Toilet Storage: The etagere is a classic small-space bathroom solution. This Apothecary Etagere from Pottery Barn is $549, but other versions can be found for less. We also like the Hudson Chrome Etagere at Stacks and Stacks for $115.
Window Storage: If you have a small window in the bathroom, install glass shelving to let in light while adding extra storage space. This bathroom from Coastal Living has lots of light with storage space. If privacy is an issue and you need to screen the window, use an adhesive window film behind the shelves.
Free-Standing Storage: If you have any extra floor space in the bathroom, free-standing storage can work well. A ladder rack has a small footprint. This is the trellis leaning towel rack from Umbra, $63. We also like the Componobili Unit for a bathroom.
Any other ideas for creating more storage space in the bathroom?
Top Photo: Zen Bathroom from the Container Store
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
was that pottery barn price a typo??
view selena's profile
The top photo is beautiful, but wouldn't work with a functional sink. Where's the space for the pipes? A cantilevered vanity top? Nice work, Photoshop.
view farmhousemoderne's profile
no, selena, insane pricing, holy guacamole! i don't think that's a typo. shiver.
and that first photo, right...i hate when they don't even attempt to make it look real.
i do like the mirror on a swing arm, but the pedestal sink storage wagon u-shaped thing is just fug.
view kdkaboom's profile
We've been doing a LOT of work on our bathroom the last couple months. I often find etageres ugly and/or overpriced, and I admit I have a phobia about bumping my head, something falling on me while using the toilet.
We have an odd water closet room that contains the toilet and the shower, separate from the main room with the vanities and bathtub. What's odd is that the toilet is not centered between the 2 side walls (stupid developers). We have 15 inches of wall space on one side of the toilet and only 10 inches on the other side. What to do? After many months of searching, we settled on this:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=118&f=4203
The baseline tall tower fits PERFECTLY on the "wide" side of the toilet, but is shallow enough that it doesn't get in the way when you are doing your business. And it's not hanging over my head. It perfectly holds the three "T"s toilet/shower essentials: toilet paper, tampons and towels. It has a substantial feel to it and looks more expensive than it is.
We paired it with an arrangement of CB2's white cube display shelves (which sort of counterbalance the tower on the "narrow" side of the toilet) and their starburst mirror rising over all:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=589&f=3539
I really have to thank AT for inspiring our lovely WC transformation.
view rdml's profile
You beat me to it farmhousemoderne. It's a great idea but unless it's an optical illusion there is no waste for the sink. There isn't a mirror either.
I'm creating the illusion of a cantilevered stone vanity but couldn't figure out how to achieve a true cantilever like the one above with the weight of material I'm using.
view art's profile
i'd love to buy the metal cubes to hang on the wall behind my toilet (i personally do not like the look of an etagere, makes me nervous). But those are super expensive, so I am searching for cheaper alternatives.
Does anyone know if I can buy cubes and hang them myself? For eg. these Large cubes from organized.com http://www.organize.com/lardivcub.html
view aspw's profile
Etagere - so THAT'S what they're called! So much better than over-the-toilet-shelf-thing. Of which I have one. It's super useful in my tiny bathroom.
view paperandglue's profile
So with everything exposed, where do the hair products, make-up, nail polish, moisturizers, and handcreams go? That's a significant amount of stuff! My bathroom is tiny and I use an etagere and have a boxy undersink cabinet. How I'd love a look that really floats and is open, but I can't get there except by cabinetry.
view moonshadow's profile