35 Genius Small Bathroom Storage Ideas

When you have a super small bathroom, every little nook and cranny counts. And that goes for both bathroom storage and design ideas. There’s no need to feel like your bathroom has to remain sparse and boring just because it’s small. Here, we’re bringing you some of our favorite storage ideas for small bathrooms so you can still live out your retro or boho design dreams.  

Below are 35 of our favorite small bathrooms that incorporate design elements and storage ideas we love. 

Just because you’re working with a small bathroom, doesn’t mean your storage can’t be on point. We love how the bathroom in this Nashville home incorporates a geometric-shaped basket for towels or toilet paper.

If you’re short on space to hang your hand towel, why not install a towel rod in that unused space above the toilet? In this home, there is even a small shelf above the towel rod too for an added décor opportunity. 

Towels and jewelry lend themselves well to being hung. Whether you’re looking to display your goods or maximize space efficiency, hang them up on a variety of hooks, like in this Connecticut craftsman. Yes renters, even you can take advantage of this storage hack if you use Command hooks.

Need additional storage space in the shower for often-used items? This bathroom from an Austin, Texas home does just that with an attractive wooden stool.

This small shelf totally adds to the boho vibe of this bathroom while also offering additional storage space.

Cotton balls and Q-Tips look prettier in decanters, plus putting them there clears up cabinet and drawer space. We love the look of these jars set inside a vintage wooden crate that has been converted into a shelving area.

For more storage and décor space, install a shelf that runs the length of one wall, as seen in this Chicago condo. 

Open wall space in a bathroom is prime real estate. In this Australian beach house are a series of small open shelves provide storage, while a long mirror provides function.

When you’re working with a small bathroom, sometimes the best option is to keep it as bare and minimal as possible, to avoid clutter and misplaced items. This minimalist bathroom does just that, incorporating a vessel sink.

This Cape Town bathroom is a study in getting creative with a small footprint. The small vanity table makes room for a rectangle basin sink toiletries, while leaving enough room for a freestanding tub. Also of note is the art, interesting light fixture and paint color that make the compact space feel design-forward.

Take note of every empty space in your bathroom. You can take advantage of any bare walls by installing shelves. A slim pedestal sink may not provide much in the way of storage, but it leaves plenty of room for shelving, like in this Montreal bathroom.

Renters may not have this option, but if a remodel is in your foreseeable future, opt for a faucet that mounts to the wall to create extra counter space, like in this Scottish home.

Don’t forget about the space underneath the cabinets when it comes to small bathroom storage. The bathroom in this California home definitely gets it right, with an attractive console sink that incorporates ample storage in the form of drawers and an open space at the bottom. 

Baskets are another great idea if you’re looking for small bathroom storage ideas. They’re a great way to cut down on clutter and store small tools and toiletries. Seen here in this ceramacist’s Massachusetts home, there’s no limit to how you store your baskets and what you put in them. 

Many bathroom vanities are not custom built for the space they’re in, resulting in unused space on either side. If you happen to be redoing your vanity area, consider a wall-to-wall unit. This beauty houses aesthetically pleasing bathroom accessories and requires no doors.

There are so many options for small storage units. Measure your open spaces and search for the perfect fit to slide into them. The right piece can blend right in with your vanity, like in this New York apartment.

In a small bathroom, it’s a missed opportunity if you don’t utilize the empty space above your toilet —that’s especially true if the space can be accessed from inside your shower. This Scandi-style shelf in an LA home looks great decorated with plants, but also creates a home for towels and toilet paper. 

Ladder shelves, available at IKEA, are both a décor statement and storage opportunity. We love how this one’s colorful vibe matches the rest of the bathroom in this San Francisco bathroom. 

If your counter space is limited, try adding a teak bathtub caddy, like IKEA’s HAVERN, to store your display-worthy toiletries, like in this Los Angeles space.

Some mirrors are too big and bulky for a small space. The softness of a round mirror is a great alternative that looks great with Scandinavian-styled vanities like the one in this small Texas home.

We love how this built-in in a Barcelona apartment exhibits a plant and perfume, but also offers toilet paper storage.

Don’t waste any potential storage or décor space in a tiny bathroom. This Chicago apartment has both a towel rod and a shelf with frames and foliage above the toilet, as well as décor on top of the toilet tank.

A small bathroom can sometimes feel claustrophobic, so breathe life into the space with live plants. Greenery that requires low light and humidity tends to thrive here. The shelves above this tightly-enclosed toilet in this Burbank home make an ideal display area for plants.

Go as high as you want with a wall shelf. Utilize all available space when necessary, like this cleverly positioned shelf in a St. Louis home, which doubles as a towel rod. Bonus: the toilet can be used as a step ladder for easy access.

Most bathrooms have a sliver of space next to the toilet. Why not squeeze in a skinny magazine rack, ladder shelf, or rolling shelf, like in this Oakland space?

Gather toiletries and décor on top of your toilet, like this renter did in her Lower East Side apartment. It’s basically extra counter space, and if you use a tray or decorative bowl/basket it creates a barrier between your things and the toilet.

In this petite bathroom, the black-and-brass found in the shower curtain are echoed throughout the space with matching knobs, hooks, and even outlet covers, tying everything together. The above-the-toilet storage makes the most of the small space while ensuring everything remains within reach.

If your bathroom doesn’t get enough sunlight, but you love the look of plants, display clippings from your healthier house plants that can survive periods of time in water — like these monstera leaves in this LA apartment.

Many of us consider the bathroom a 100% functional space, forgetting that we have to spend a lot of time in it. Give yourself a pretty painting or print to look at while you brush your teeth — like in this Australian home.

Color blocking doesn’t have to mean bold and bright. This little loo got a face lift with some trés Parisian color blocking in a pastel and black that makes for a calm and classic bathroom experience.

Some spaces are so small, there’s no hiding it. Instead of using airy, bright colors to reflect light and make a space feel open, embrace your teensy toilet room with a moody color palette, like in this colorful LA home.

Again, we often neglect our bathrooms and forget just how often we have to look at them. Just a sprig or two of fresh herbs or blossoms will brighten your day and make a world of difference, like in this Santa Barbara abode.

This bathroom refuses to be defined by its size. Big, bold patterns create a huge impact in a small space. Just go for it!

Curtain rods that curve outward take advantage of unused open space to give you a couple of extra inches of elbow room in your tiny shower, like in this tiny LA studio.

Bright, neutral colors are great at reflecting light and making a space feel bigger than it is. Sticking with natural materials like stone and porcelain will also help to elevate your wee WC, like in this Boston apartment.