16 Brilliant Bathroom Storage Ideas to Steal from Real Homeowners and Renters
Bathrooms can be tricky spots to organize, thanks to all the things you need to store there: toiletries, toothbrushes, towels, toilet paper, and grooming appliances, just to name a few. That’s especially true if you’re working with a crowded layout or a tiny footprint, as sneaking storage into small spaces requires a bit more creativity.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about finding the best way to store things in your bathroom, it might be time to look outside the box. Below, find 16 of the smartest storage ideas featured in real Apartment Therapy House Tours that can help you create space out of thin air.
1. Use a towel rod to hang toiletries.
You might have seen curtain rods used to organize clothes and accessories in a bedroom, and you can use the same idea in a bathroom for toiletries, baskets, cleaning supplies, or even plants and art.
It’s an especially great hack for humid spaces like the bathroom because you can hang items to dry. All you have to do is install a towel bar and outfit it with some curtain clips.
2. Hang a basket from the ceiling.
Some bathrooms are short on usable wall space, but you can almost always use ceiling space to your advantage. Copy the owners of this Pennsylvania vintage minimalist home and hang baskets from the ceiling to store small goods near your sink, shower, or wherever else you might need them.
Look for multi-tiered kitchen fruit baskets to get even more storage space for your money — just make sure you screw the hook into a stud, or use a drywall anchor for safety.
3. Skip the towel bar and use hooks or pegs instead.
A towel bar can usually fit one towel (maybe two, if you’re persistent) — but a row of hooks packs a lot more storage in while still looking put-together.
You can see this trick in action in this charming London home.
4. Hang baskets above the sink for everyday toiletries.
For those lacking deck space on their sinks, this clever storage idea stolen from a cozy camper takes advantage of the wall space right above your faucet to keep toiletries close at hand.
Install a kitchen rail outfitted with hanging baskets, and you’ll be able to keep often-used items nearby but still out of the way. This works great in bathrooms shared by multiple people, as everyone can get their own caddy.
5. Place lazy Susans under your vanity.
Even if you have lots of storage space, if you’re unable to get to what you need it’s basically useless. So work smarter, not harder with a lazy Susan!
A turntable or two under your bathroom sink can help make the most of a hard-to-access space so it doesn’t become a complete black hole.
6. Choose a mirror with added storage.
There are lots of reasons you might not install a medicine cabinet — if you’re a renter, for one — but you can still sneak a little extra storage out of your mirror.
Instead of a plain framed option, go for a mirror with an added shelf, like the one in this ranch’s bathroom.
7. Use a spice rack for a small-space-friendly shelf.
Here’s a secret from savvy IKEA hackers: The best-selling BEKVÄM spice rack is the perfect depth for storing toiletries, and the ideal width for a small bathroom wall.
Hang one (or multiple!) of these compact racks to create storage space without sacrificing counter space. See this trick at work in a cramped entryway here, too.
8. Turn a freestanding cabinet into a linen closet.
If you have floor space but no closet (or closet space) in your bathroom, freestanding furniture is your friend.
Take inspiration from this incredible bathroom makeover and use a cabinet to store towels, toilet paper, and any other bathroom necessities.
9. Add an extra layer of storage to a rolling cart.
A rolling cart is a great solution when space is tight and you can’t devote permanent floor space to storage. Look for one that’s water-resistant and easy to clean.
Even better? Choose a cart with a lid on top, as seen in this 1920s Dutch house, for bonus surface area.
10. Build in a recessed niche.
The space between studs offers more opportunity for storage than you might think. For those who own their homes (or have very accommodating landlords), it’s worth looking into the possibility of using wall space to create or add recessed shelving.
You can see the trick in this bathroom makeover, and it’s perfect for storing small toiletries without taking up any air space.
11. Add a pegboard.
For customizable storage that’s easy to change with your needs, a pegboard is the way to go, as shown in this 500-square-foot Singapore apartment’s bathroom.
Once you install the actual board, you’ll be able to fit it with whatever storage options make sense for you, from shelving to hooks to drawers.
12. Install a train rack.
Take a cue from space-conscious train design and use a train rack to store and hang bathroom towels.
On this smart organizer, you’ll be able to hang the towel that’s in use, but you’ll also be able to store fresh towels on the shelves above.
13. Utilize the space under the sink.
A standard bathroom vanity comes with obvious under-sink storage, but you might be scratching your head at what to do about a floating sink or pedestal sink.
Instead of letting the floor and vertical space underneath go to waste, take inspiration from this Dutch home and stock it with chic baskets for towels and toiletries.
14. Mount shelves across a window.
If you’re out of wall space, consider adding some storage in front of your window. The catch: You won’t want to use just any shelf in this spot.
Instead of wood, opt for clear glass — like in this Montreal home — which will allow light to shine through. (And make sure not to store anything on these shelves that’s light-sensitive, of course.)
15. Turn the door into extra storage.
Don’t let this precious real estate go to waste! For permanent installation, you can screw hooks directly onto the door, like in this historic rowhouse bathroom.
For a renter-friendly option, try over-the-door storage products like hooks or mirrors.
16. Add extra functionality to a vanity.
Who says you can’t mount a towel bar or a toilet paper holder onto a vanity? The side of a wood vanity is a great place to find extra storage for things like toilet paper holders or towel bars, as seen here in this charming bathroom makeover.
