The $45 Target Gem That Completely Transformed My Tiny Bathroom (I Have So Much Extra Storage!)

Downsizing from a three-bedroom apartment to a studio has been an adjustment, to say the least. Even though I shared my previous place with roommates, there was much more room for all of my belongings. It had a separate living room and kitchen and a surprisingly spacious bathroom. Don’t get me wrong: I’m much happier living on my own, and even though my studio is tiny, it’s an upgrade in every way. I just have to be more strategic to make the most of the space, and I welcome the challenge.

The bathroom was my first order of business after I moved in. It’s cramped, unsurprisingly. I thought I would be able to squeeze my shelving unit in there, but I was wrong. However, on move-in day, I couldn’t believe my luck when I came across the Brightroom Skinny Storage Cart on a Target run. I knew right away that it would transform my bathroom — that it would make an unusable area functional. A few weeks in, I can confirm that I was totally right.

Whether or not you have a cramped bathroom like me, this narrow cart can slide into virtually any area, including those odd gaps every bathroom seems to have. The cart is 6 inches deep, 15 inches wide, and almost 3 feet tall. There are four shelves stacked vertically; the three on the bottom consist of steel bars (the open design will keep things from getting gross and moist), while the upper one is natural wood. The wheels on the bottom are lockable for stability, although it glides smoothly when you want to move it to another spot.

I was struck by just how stylish this rolling cart looked when I spotted it in the store. Looks-wise, most rolling carts aren’t anything to write home about, but Brightroom’s is airy and minimalist with its white shelves and wooden surface. It matched the light colors and breezy aesthetic I was going for in my bathroom, almost blending into the white tile wall.

Even though it’s unassuming, this cart has greatly impacted my space. In my old apartment, I had to store all of my makeup in my bedroom to keep the bathroom free for my roommates. But now that I live alone, I can use it whenever and for as long as I need. Instead of my makeup cluttering the top of my bedroom dresser — no matter how much straightening up I did, it always looked chaotic — I now keep it all on the rolling cart in my bathroom. It’s all accessible and easy to find, thanks to the open shelves.

My luck during my Target trip continued when I found plastic bins that fit on each shelf, almost like they were made for it. They’re actually meant for fridge and pantry organization, but they make it so that I can remove my makeup more effortlessly; I place the bin on my bathroom counter and then put it back into place when I’ve finished getting ready. It couldn’t be a more perfect pairing! 

Altogether, I spent under $70 to make my bathroom functional. Even when I move into my next space, this tiny but mighty cart is coming with me. (If it doesn’t go in my bathroom, I’ll find a way to use it in my kitchen.) I already can’t imagine my apartment without it, and I’m sure you’ll think the same thing once you try it out yourself.

Buy: Brightroom Skinny Storage Cart, $45