If you’re like me, you understand the struggle of having a small bathroom. It can be challenging to find enough space to store all your toiletries, towels, and other essentials.
Especially if you share a bathroom with kids (like we do), you know how easily a small bathroom with limited space can quickly become cluttered.
I know that if I put some energy into it, I can figure out a way to transform my tiny full bathroom into an efficient and clutter-free space. And maybe it will be beautiful, too!
In this blog post, I’ll share strategies I’m thinking about to maximize storage in a small bathroom, along with plenty of tips and ideas to inspire you as well! I’ll also link lots of items from Ikea that would be perfect space-saving pieces.
Utilize Vertical Space: Think Up!
When you’re dealing with limited floor space, it’s crucial to make the most of your vertical space. Look up and take advantage of your walls and the area above your toilet, sink, or bathtub. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Install floating shelves or cubbies above the toilet to store extra toilet paper, towels, or decorative items.
- Hang a wall-mounted cabinet or open shelving above the sink to keep frequently used items within easy reach.
- Use adhesive hooks or a towel rack on the back of the bathroom door to hang towels or robes, saving precious wall space.
Optimize Under-the-Sink Storage
The area beneath your bathroom sink often goes unused or becomes a jumble of cleaning supplies and miscellaneous items. By implementing smart storage solutions, you can efficiently organize this space:
- Place stackable plastic or wire baskets under the sink to group similar items together, such as toiletries, cleaning products, or extra toilet paper.
- Use tension rods to create additional storage by hanging spray bottles or cleaning tools on the inside of the cabinet doors.
- Invest in an adjustable shelf unit or a small rolling cart with drawers to maximize vertical storage space.
Make Use of Over-the-Toilet Space
The area above your toilet is often overlooked, but it presents a fantastic opportunity for extra storage. Here’s how you can make the most of this often-underutilized space:
- Install an over-the-toilet storage unit with shelves or cabinets to keep towels, toiletries, or decorative items. Hint: Turkish bath towels don’t take up as much space as terry bath towels. Read more about that in my POST.
- Utilize decorative baskets or fabric bins to store extra toilet paper rolls, cleaning supplies, or hair care products.
- Add a wall-mounted magazine rack or small shelves to hold reading materials or small potted plants, adding personality to your bathroom.
Embrace the Power of Hooks and Magnetic Strips
Hooks and magnetic strips are versatile storage solutions that can help you maximize your bathroom space:
- Attach adhesive hooks inside the shower area to hang loofahs, washcloths, or shower caddies.
- Use magnetic strips on the inside of cabinet doors to store metal grooming tools, such as nail clippers, tweezers, or bobby pins.
- Hang a magnetic strip near the vanity mirror to keep your metal makeup brushes organized and easily accessible.
Get Creative with Wall Storage
When floor and countertop space are at a premium, turning your walls into functional storage areas can be a game-changer:
- Install a pegboard on an empty wall to hang frequently used items like hairdryers, brushes, or even small jars filled with toiletries.
- Mount a magnetic board on the wall to store metal accessories, such as hair clips, safety pins, or small containers of makeup.
- Hang a multi-pocket fabric organizer on the back of the bathroom door to store toiletries, cleaning supplies, or small towels.
Choose Space-Saving Fixtures and Accessories
Opting for compact fixtures and accessories specifically designed for small bathrooms can make a significant difference:
- Install a pedestal sink or a wall-mounted vanity to create more floor space and visually open up the room.
- Install a vanity that comes with working drawers. My favorite selections are definitely from Ikea, like the white vanity above.
- Use a shower caddy with multiple shelves to maximize storage within your shower space while keeping toiletries organized and easily accessible.
- Consider using a narrow, vertical towel rack or ladder-style towel holder that takes up minimal space but can still accommodate multiple towels.
- Choose a toilet with a built-in storage tank or a floating shelf above the toilet to store extra toilet paper, magazines, or small decorative items. If you’re like me, and you love plants in your bathroom, make sure to check out my POST all about which plants love bathrooms.
Organize with Baskets and Containers
In a small bathroom, it’s essential to keep things organized to avoid clutter. Baskets and containers can be your best friends when it comes to maintaining a tidy space:
- Use small woven baskets on open shelves or countertops to store and categorize items like hair accessories, makeup, or lotions. I actually wrote a POST all about woven baskets for kitchen storage, but these would work great in a bathroom as well!
- Opt for clear, stackable containers or bins to store items like cotton balls, Q-tips, or small toiletries. Being able to see what’s inside will save you time and prevent rummaging through various containers. The Godmorgon collection from Ikea (pictured below) is an excellent choice!
- Place a decorative tray or dish on the bathroom countertop to corral frequently used items like toothbrushes, hand soap, or a small hand mirror. Look for one-of-a -kind trays at vintage shops for a unique touch.
Remember, the key to maximizing storage in a small bathroom is to think creatively, utilize vertical space, and embrace clever organization solutions.
I hope these strategies, tips, and ideas inspired you like they inspired me about transforming a compact bathroom into an efficient and functional space.
Which of these strategies do you think you could get started with on little to no money? Which of these sounds most fitting for your own bathroom space? Let me know in the comments!
Happy organizing!