Maximizing storage in a small bathroom can transform cluttered chaos into a streamlined pleasure. Plan out clever small bathroom storage solutions such as containers, cabinets, wall shelves, and furniture to optimize every available inch. With these strategies, you can easily reduce clutter and simplify your daily routine.

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Versatile Small Bathroom Storage

Brie Williams

Shower storage caddies typically hang inside the shower, but they can organize any wall space. In this small bathroom, a wire organizer suspended from a wall peg keeps frequently used bath products and hand towels within easy reach. Because it's portable, this small bathroom storage solution is ideal for renters or anyone with adaptable storage needs.

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Under-Sink Small Bathroom Storage Idea

Elaine St. Louis

In small spaces, every inch counts. This under-sink storage solution makes optimum use of the often-overlooked area beneath the sink. A U-shaped drawer cleverly fits around the plumbing in the vanity cabinet, offering convenient storage for extra soaps, towels, and toilet paper.

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Small-Bathroom Storage Shelves

Brie Williams

Consider adding wall shelves to increase storage options beyond the vanity cabinet. Open shelving over the toilet and near the sink is perfect for storing cosmetics, lotions, and other visually appealing items. Create pleasant vignettes on your shelves with artwork and decorative accessories nestled among practical organizers and glass jars.

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Pullout Bathroom Storage

Gus Schmiege

Pullout cabinets are typically seen in the kitchen, but they are just as useful organizing personal-care products and hair styling tools beside the sink. This concealed storage space only occupies room when in use, seamlessly sliding back into the wall when you're finished.

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Mix-and-Match Small Bathroom Storage Idea

Edmund Barr

A combination of open shelves and closed cabinets or drawers provides both display and privacy options. Plan where each item should go and select the necessary storage solutions, such as bins, baskets, wall shelves, or freestanding storage units. Decide which items you'd like to display, like neatly folded colored towels, and which should be tucked away for a tidy look.

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Vertical Small Bathroom Storage

Michael Partenio

Tame countertop clutter with upper vanity cabinets that keep items out of sight behind closed doors. While they occupy some counter space, this trade-off can be worthwhile. Vertical units maximize storage exponentially by adding more shelves for bathroom essentials. These cabinets are shallow enough to leave a generous area of counter space in front.

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Small-Bathroom Storage Containers

Adam Albright

Use bins and baskets to tame clutter in a small bathroom. In this setup, coordinating bins organize items on open shelves beneath the sink. The patterned designs, such as this blue-and-yellow color scheme, become part of your design vision.

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Shower Storage for Small Bathrooms

John Bessler

In small bathrooms, it's a necessity to make every inch count. Utilize the space beneath a shower bench with deep drawers. This area provides an ideal spot to store extra toiletries and accessories.

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Magnetic Bathroom Storage

Cameron Sadeghpour

Every surface can be transformed, even mounting a magnetic memo board inside a cabinet door. Pair it with slim magnetic containers or hooks to hold bath essentials. Remember to organize items so that the door can close completely.

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Undersink Shelving

Edmund Barr

Floating vanities offer a sleek appearance in small bathrooms but may lack ample storage. Install a floating shelf beneath the plumbing to make use of every inch of space under a wall-mounted sink. Use it to tuck away folded towels and washcloths, or add baskets for smaller essentials.

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Bathtub Storage Ideas

Jay Wilde

Get creative with the small bathroom storage solutions you already have. In this setup, miniature towel rods hold wire baskets with sponges and washcloths above the bathtub. An open shelf allows you to display artwork, while repurposed glass kitchen jars and a fishbowl display bath salts and soaps on the tub ledge.

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Small Bathroom Storage Ideas for Towels

Alise O'Brien

Replace a traditional cabinet drawer with a tilting door that reveals a wire hamper inside, reclaiming the floor space from a standalone one. This storage solution is perfect for hiding dirty towels or clothes while keeping them easy to access when it's time to launder. Additionally, the slanted unit saves space because it doesn't require room for a door swing.

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Small Bathroom Storage Furniture

Jay Wilde

If your small bathroom lacks built-in storage, consider adding stylish furniture that fits into a corner or along a wall. In this example, a vintage trunk serves as storage for linens. Its sturdy wire legs don't clutter the floor space and keep the trunk at a convenient height, creating a functional surface for displaying decor.

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Bathroom Ladder Shelf

Adam Albright

Make the most of vertical space and empty walls without encroaching on the floor area by using a ladder-style shelf unit. Its open shelves can function as a convenient linen closet and offer extra display space. Paint the unit in a bathroom accent color to create a standout feature.

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Built-In Small Bathroom Storage Idea

Werner Straube

When planning a small bathroom layout, look for opportunities to incorporate built-in storage. In this setup, storage is multipurpose with built-in cubbies and a window seat providing handy storage. Baskets below hold bathroom essentials, while the marble surface accommodates stacks of towels or displays soaps and sponges.

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Small-Bathroom Wall Storage

Brie Williams

Dealing with limited wall space? Utilize the area around your bathtub. In this example, three hooks above the tub make it easy to grab a clean towel after your bath. A chair rail molding divides two-tone paint, adding definition to this space.

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Overhead Small Bathroom Storage Idea

Emily Followill

Maximize space around your vanity mirror for added organization. Integrate a built-in cabinet box between the mirror frames to create cubbies for storing extra towels. You can add a basket to serve as a hiding spot for items you don't use often.

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DIY Small Bathroom Storage

Kim Cornelison Photography

Customize a basic wall shelf to replace a medicine cabinet in a small bathroom. Position it above the sink and add a wooden dowel between the shelf brackets to create a towel rod. Organize bars of soap, cotton pads, and other small toiletries using a variety of containers and trays on the shelf.

Make a Small Space Fabulous

Update other small spaces in your home to make the most of them. A small dining room, whether a formal or casual space, can be made much more functional with a few updates, while the layout in your living room can change how you use this much-used area. A galley kitchen doesn't have to keep you from enjoying meal prep, and a tiny bedroom can go from cramped to cozy with these tips. Small spaces are easier to keep clean, less expensive to furnish, and create an intimacy that bigger spaces may lack, so embrace your little home.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much space do you need for a small bathroom?
• The minimum space required for a bathroom is 15 square feet. This will be able to fit a sink and a toilet, but not a shower. If you want a place to bathe, then the room should be at least 30-36 square feet.
• Where do you place a hand towel bar in a small bathroom?
• If you're running low on space, hand towel bars can be mounted beside a cabinet or vanity. You could also place a hand towel bar on the back of the door to save space. 
• Where do you put dirty laundry in a small bathroom?
• You can place the laundry basket in a corner, or hide it underneath your sink. If your bathroom is too small to fit a laundry basket, you could place it near the washing machine in your laundry room instead, so it's easy to access when you're ready to wash your clothes.
• Is it better to store towels rolled or folded?
• Either option is fine. However, rolled towels will take up less room, so it's the better method to use when you're struggling to find space for household storage.