20 Clever Ways to Add Storage to Your Bathroom Walls

One of the main struggles in a small bathroom is the lack of storage. You can streamline your belongings, sure, but there are always a few necessities you’ll want in your bathroom, such as towels and washcloths, soap, toothpaste, etc. Where should you put all of that stuff? Some small bathrooms have very little — or nothing at all — in the way of storage cabinets or closets, which is when more enterprising small space dwellers turn to a less obvious storage spot: the wall. 

Up ahead you’ll find 20 smart bathroom organization ideas that’ll help you make use of your wall space so you can fit what you need into your bath’s small footprint.

If one shelf won’t cut it when it comes to shelving for a small bathroom, why not try two? Stack two identical shelves on top of one another to double up on vertical space, like you see in this San Francisco bathroom. 

Sure, you can use a ladder for practical things like towels, but you can also add a decorative ladder to your bathroom for things like plants or accessories. This Charlotte, North Carolina bathroom sets a sweet tone by using a ladder to house plants. 

If your space lacks shelving for a small bathroom, why not simply mount your handwashing accessories right onto the wall, like this Houston, Texas bathroom showcases. 

No shelves in the shower can prove to be problematic, which is where a niche comes in handy. Installing one of these cut outs, like this airy and minimalist Philadelphia home has done, takes all of your shampoo bottles and other shower goodies off the ground and keeps them organized and out of the way.

Convenient storage isn’t limited to only vanity cabinets and plastic drawer units. Try scoping out antique shops or websites to see if you can find a cool pint-sized cupboard you can hang up that’ll serve major looks and utility like the blue wooden version in this Cape Town home. Plus, your skincare collection will look tidy and be easy to find if you choose something with a glass-front door!

This gorgeous New Jersey abode proves that not every shelf, ledge, and drawer has to be solely for utility. If you’ve found that you’re good on storage but don’t have a square inch left for chic accents, bring in the wall-mounted shelving to make sure every room in your home gets a splash of personality — even the powder room!

Even the tiniest spaces can fit a shelf. While it may look impossible, this pencil-thin shelf in a colorful Washington D.C. bathroom shows how you can create storage space almost out of thin air. The addition of a glass wall-mounted shelf or something similar means more room for things that matter, like your toothbrush and a plant, of course.

Here’s a trick that’s as elegant as it is practical: mounting a shelf to the wall underneath your bathroom mirror. As seen on Atelier Dore, this a great way to provide a catchall for necessities in a bathroom with a sink that doesn’t allow for much counter space.

If there’s a wall to either the left of the right of your sink, that’s a great spot for some wall-mounted shelves. This bathroom from The Everygirl demonstrates that beautifully, with a set of easy-access shelves that have a distinct minimalist feel.

Another great spot for wall-mounted shelves? Above the toilet. Finding a spot for all that extra toilet paper can be tricky, but in this bathroom from Brooklyn Limestone, stacking toilet paper on shelves above the loo makes a stylish statement.

If you prefer to conceal your paper, you can opt for a wall-mounted cabinet above the toilet, like this one from IKEA. I once had a boss at an architecture firm who called these “head-banger” cabinets, but you can avoid that by choosing one with a slim profile.

In this bathroom from Rock My Style, a tall and thin wall-mounted cabinet revolutionizes the storage situation. Wall-mounted cabinets feel visually lighter than ones that sit on the floor, and they can actually take up less space, too.

If there’s a little space between your toilet and the wall, that could be a great place for some shelves, like these from The Order Obsessed. These particular shelves take advantage of a deeper nook, but even if your shelves are only three or four inches deep, they can hold toilet paper and bathroom supplies.

In this bathroom spotted on Zevy Joy, a series of baskets, mounted to the wall, is the perfect landing spot for towels of various sizes. This is the shelves-above-the-toilet look, but with a textural twist.

In this bathroom from This Charming Life, a wire basket, mounted to the wall beside the sink, holds toiletries but keeps them within easy reach. This is a great way to supplement an overtaxed medicine cabinet.

Another place to look for storage is above the door. These wire shelves from IKEA hold extra towels and supplies, and since they’re up high, they can be quite deep without protruding too far into the room.

Here’s a nice idea from Design Sponge, that will work in even the smallest of spaces: corner shelves. Mount them next to a sink, or up high to provide a landing spot for a few extra towels or storage baskets.

Finding a place to hang up towels, particularly in a bathroom shared by multiple people, can be a real challenge. Enter this solution from Jenna Burger Design: Mount towel bars to the back of the bathroom door. Follow the link for instructions for mounting a towel bar to a hollow-core door.

You can also add storage behind the door with a wall-mounted storage system, like this Elfa one from Howards Storage World. You can find more examples at the Container Store. (If you don’t like everything out in the open, these may not be an ideal solution, but I once had a pantry with a rack like this on the door, and you’d be shocked how much they can hold.)

IKEA‘s Trones storage boxes are designed for shoes, but their slim profile makes them a great candidate for all kinds of other storage too, particularly in places where space is at a premium. They’re only 7 inches deep and can slip into little nooks and crannies, providing a perfect catchall for bathroom necessities.