Maximize your bathroom space by utilizing over-the-toilet storage, especially in tiny ones with limited storage. These clever solutions offer room for towels, toiletries, and essentials, such as makeup and cotton swabs, without needing a closet or large vanity. This often-overlooked area above the toilet is perfect for organizing bathroom products and adding decorative touches, ensuring everything remains accessible and in its place.

01

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Decorate the Top of the Toilet

Adam Albright

Install floating shelves above the toilet to display décor like potted plants or framed artwork. Mount them high enough to avoid accidental bumps. Use the top of the toilet tank as a storage area, placing a small tray to neatly hold items such as a candle, room spray, or extra toilet paper for easy access.

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02

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Stack Storage as High as Possible

Edmund Barr

If your bathroom lacks storage, maximize the vertical space above the toilet by installing multiple floating shelves. Use these shelves to hold items like bath towels or decorative baskets to reduce clutter. Keep frequently used items at an accessible level and place less commonly used or decorative items on the higher shelves.

03

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Corral Clutter in a Cabinet

Laura Moss

Add character and storage with a vintage glass cabinet mounted above the toilet. Secure it to the wall and use the lower shelves for heavier, frequently used items like body lotion or washcloths. Place lighter or less frequently used products higher up and wipe down the top regularly to prevent dust buildup.

Choose cabinets with doors to keep items dust-free. Use stylish containers to store essentials like cotton balls while maintaining a neat appearance.

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04

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Lean Items on a Picture Ledge

Adam Albright

Enhance bathroom décor by installing floating picture ledges to showcase art, photos, or small accessories. They are also ideal for offering guests reading materials like books and magazines. Note that picture ledges are best for lighter items and add visual interest without taking up much space.

05

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Create a Mini Storage Closet

David Tsay

Transform a living room bookcase into a bathroom storage solution by installing it over the toilet. Use side drawers to hide items and utilize the open shelves to display items like perfume bottles or makeup organizers stylishly.

This setup is perfect for storing household towels, especially in homes without a linen closet.

06

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Repurpose a Bookcase

Jay Wilde

Revamp an old bookshelf with a coat of paint that matches your bathroom's color scheme for a creative over-the-toilet storage solution. Secure it to the wall and use decorative trays on the shelves to organize items, like jars for cotton balls or bath salts, and bowls for hair ties.

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DIY With Salvaged Wood

Marty Baldwin

Turn fallen branches into charming accents for plain white shelves. Create a unique shelf display by following these steps:

• Cut branches into 12-inch pieces. 
• Measure and mark two inches from each end on the shelves. Drill through these marks into the bottom of the branches.
• Attach branches using wood screws, then stack and secure the next shelf on top.

Continue these steps for additional shelves. Mount your finished shelves onto wall-anchored screws for an artistic storage solution.

08

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Incorporate a Ladder

Emily Followill

Using ladders as shelves is a smart solution for small bathrooms. They can hold magazines, toilet paper rolls, wipes, and other essentials. Look for a ladder at flea markets or thrift stores and paint it to match your bathroom decor.

A ladder shelf s perfect for narrow areas, offering height for extra storage.

09

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Keep It Simple

Werner Segarra

Standard towel racks can clutter countertops, so consider installing one over the toilet instead. This saves surface space and lets you display decorative towels stylishly. To maximize storage, choose a rack-and-shelf hybrid for additional above-toilet space.

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10

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Hang Storage Cabinets

Gustav Schmiege

Explore unconventional over-the-toilet storage with wall-hung cabinets. Change their orientation to hang horizontally, opening from the top like an oven. This design adds unique flair and offers extra shelf space for displaying decor.

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Build Custom Storage

Jason Donnelly

Small bathrooms often lack storage, but you can address this by adding built-in shelves or drawers during remodeling. For a cost-effective alternative, install floating shelves above the toilet and place vertical storage cubes on each side. Use affordable lumber and iron pipe fittings to create a functional and stylish solution.

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Add Texture with Tile

Beth Singer

Enrich your bathroom's medicine cabinet with a modern stain or paint color, and add tile details for a stylish update. Use mosaic tile to enhance plain floating shelves, creating an attractive accent for your custom-built over-the-toilet storage.

13

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Let in Light

Paul Dyer

Construct storage around features above the toilet, like a window. Walnut cabinetry can enhance the area while offering ample storage for bath linens.

Custom cabinets might entail a higher investment, especially when adapting them to fit irregular spaces above the toilet.

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Pay Attention to Scale

Michael Garland

Organizing small items can be challenging. Use decorative boxes on floating shelves for cotton swabs, cotton balls, and bandages. If mounting shelves on tile, ensure you have the correct tile bit, as drilling requires more precision than drywall. Confirm placement before drilling since tiles are not easy to repair once damaged.

15

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Add Contrast

Gene Pollux

For design inspiration, install sets of three modern floating shelves above the toilet. Paint them in a contrasting color to your bathroom walls for a striking effect, and use them to store extra toilet paper or hand towels.

Best Bathroom Storage Solutions

Struggling with bathroom clutter? These expert storage solutions will help you maximize space and keep everything organized. 14 Creative Small-Bathroom Storage Solutions explores clever ideas, from letting your medicine cabinet do double duty to repurposing furniture pieces for extra storage. How to Fix Common Bathroom Storage Blunders and Maximize Space highlights how vanities can solve many storage issues and streamline your day-to-day. 17 Bathroom Makeup Vanity Ideas to Make Your Daily Routine Easier focuses on ideal lighting and seating to transform your morning makeup routine into a relaxing ritual. 19 Clever Ways to Organize Bathroom Cabinets offers smart decluttering ideas to tidy up cabinet interiors. And because countertops are prime real estate, How to Organize Bathroom Counters provides tips to maximize space while keeping everything neat and accessible.