20 Best Small Bathroom Storage Hacks: Clever Ways to Maximize Space
If your bathroom feels more like a broom closet with plumbing, you’re not alone.
The average bathroom in the U.S. is just 40 square feet, according to the National Association of Home Builders.
When you’re working with tight quarters, every square inch counts—and then some.
The good news? Small bathrooms can be brilliantly efficient if you know how to work smarter, not harder.
These 20 game-changing storage hacks aren’t about adding more shelves—they’re about rethinking your space like a design ninja, where even the back of your door gets a second job.
Let’s dive into these clever, real-world strategies—no fluff, just hard-hitting storage gold.
1. Use Vertical Space Like a Skyscraper Architect
When floor space is tight, your walls are your best friends. Install floating shelves above the toilet, near the ceiling, or even above the door.
Think high-rise apartments—stack up, not out.
In my own shoebox-sized bathroom, I installed three narrow floating shelves above the toilet.
They hold rolled towels, extra TP, and small baskets with all the “ugly necessities” (ahem, spare razors and backup toothpaste).
A bonus tip: Use corner shelves—they’re easy to overlook but perfect for sneaking in extra storage without bulk.
2. Hang Baskets for Instant Wall Storage
Sick of bottles cluttering the countertop? Use wall-mounted wire or woven baskets to stash hair products, lotions, or even towels.
They’re easy to install with a couple of command hooks or wall anchors.
I use three baskets in my own bathroom: top for skincare, middle for hair products, bottom for hand towels. It’s like a vertical drawer system, but cuter.
3. Over-the-Toilet Cabinets Aren’t Just for Grandma
Once considered old-school, over-the-toilet cabinets have evolved. The new designs are slim, modern, and incredibly efficient.
You’re already not using that wall space—why not claim it?
Look for one with both closed cabinets (to hide the chaos) and open shelving (to display cute jars or candles). It’s prime real estate in a small bathroom.
4. Add Hooks Everywhere You Can
If you’ve got an empty wall, you’ve got a hook opportunity. Hooks are the unsung heroes of small spaces.
Install them behind the door, next to the mirror, under a shelf—wherever they fit. I have six hooks lining the back of my door:
towels, robes, shower caps, and even a hanging mesh pouch for toiletries. Cheap, easy, and oddly satisfying.
5. Use Back-of-the-Door Organizers
Think of the back of your bathroom door as a blank canvas of opportunity.
Install an over-the-door organizer (like the kind you’d use for shoes or cleaning products) and repurpose it for:
- Hair tools
- Skincare bottles
- Roll-up towels
- Toilet paper
- First-aid items
Just make sure it’s waterproof or fabric-coated to withstand the steam.
6. Invest in Slim Rolling Carts
You know that weird 4-inch gap between your sink and the wall? Slide in a narrow rolling cart.
These thin vertical carts can hold way more than you’d expect.
I picked up a three-tier cart from IKEA for $25, and it now holds backup toiletries, extra toilet paper, and even my diffuser. When I need to clean, I just roll it out.
Pro tip: Look for carts with locking wheels—you don’t want it sliding out like a rebellious Roomba.
7. Magnetic Strips Are Secret Weapons
Install a magnetic strip on the inside of a cabinet door or wall to hold small metal items:
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Bobby pins
- Eyebrow scissors
- Safety pins
It’s like giving your beauty tools their own little parking lot. No more digging through a cluttered drawer while half-asleep.
8. Add a Lazy Susan in Your Cabinet
Yes, the Lazy Susan—the same one from your spice cabinet—belongs in your bathroom too.
Use it under the sink or in a deep cabinet to keep small products visible and accessible.
I use one for skincare and makeup. A quick spin and boom—serum located. No more playing hide and seek with my vitamin C.
9. Use Over-the-Cabinet Door Storage
Inside cabinet doors are prime stealth space. You can hang slim bins or racks over them to hold brushes, cleaning supplies, or hair tools.
These are particularly helpful under the sink, where cleaning sprays and bottles tend to sprawl. Make the cabinet work double duty—front and back.
10. Labelled Clear Bins Keep Things Sane
Group like items together in clear acrylic bins. Label them. Thank me later.
The visual clarity helps you see what you’re running low on, and the labels keep your family from tearing the place apart looking for the Q-tips.
I have bins labeled: Haircare, Face Masks, Dental, Travel, and First Aid. The drawer never looks chaotic, even if I’m late and tossing things like a frantic raccoon.
11. Store Towels Vertically, Not Horizontally
Instead of stacking towels, roll them and store them vertically in a bin or basket.
This saves space and gives you that “fancy spa” look—even if you’re working with Dollar Store towels.
You can also store them upright in a wine rack, which is oddly perfect for rolled towels. I stole that hack from a boutique hotel in Tulum.
12. Turn the Toilet Tank Into a Shelf
If you’ve got a flat-top toilet tank, that’s an instant shelf. Add a small tray or decorative box to hold everyday essentials like:
- Hand lotion
- Air freshener
- Spare TP roll
- Matches or candles
It looks intentional, not like you’re using the back of the toilet as a storage closet (even though you kind of are).
13. Stackable Storage Is King
Whether under the sink or in linen closets, stackable bins or drawers allow you to take full advantage of vertical space. Modular is magic.
Stack makeup drawers, skincare containers, or cleaning supply bins. You can get clear plastic ones or go for cute woven styles depending on your aesthetic.
14. Mount a Shelf Above the Door
This one’s overlooked constantly: install a shelf above the door frame.
It’s an excellent place to store seldom-used items like extra towels, bulk TP, or seasonal stuff like self-tanner.
It’s like a secret attic for your bathroom.
15. Use Tension Rods Creatively
A tension rod under the sink or in a cabinet can hold spray bottles (hang them by the trigger), or act as a divider for leaning cutting boards and trays if you use one in a shared space.
You can even use a short tension rod in drawers to section items and prevent them from sliding. Cheap. Genius. Easy to remove.
16. Try Adhesive Wall Containers
Need storage but can’t drill? Use adhesive wall containers. Think of them like bathroom-friendly command bins.
Stick them next to your mirror, inside the shower, or above the sink. I use two by my mirror—one for cotton rounds and one for Q-tips.
They’ve been up for over a year. Still stuck, still strong.
17. Use Tiered Trays for Countertop Clutter
If you can’t live without products on your counter, contain them in a tiered tray.
It elevates your products (literally and figuratively), giving you more room and visual calm.
I use a two-tier tray: top for skincare, bottom for daily makeup. It feels like a vanity, not a mess.
18. Repurpose Everyday Items for Storage
Use mason jars, old candle containers, or repurposed mugs for:
- Cotton swabs
- Makeup brushes
- Toothbrushes
- Hair ties
I’ve even seen people repurpose magnetic spice tins on the wall to hold lip balms and bobby pins. Your imagination’s the limit here.
19. Use a Hamper With Vertical Storage
Ditch the giant laundry basket. Opt for a slim, tall hamper or a hanging laundry bag behind the door.
Some wall-mounted options include a small shelf on top for detergents or fresheners—dual-purpose FTW.
20. Go Minimal: Declutter Ruthlessly
Here’s the harsh truth: you can’t organize clutter. The best storage hack? Have less stuff.
- Toss expired products
- Donate unopened extras you won’t use
- Keep only what you use weekly
I did a one-product-in, one-product-out rule, and it changed my space (and my habits). Storage isn’t just about containers—it’s about boundaries.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Bigger Bathroom—Just Better Ideas
You don’t have to knock down walls or invest in expensive remodels to make your small bathroom feel bigger.
You just need clever ideas, functional tools, and the will to experiment.
Every hook, bin, and magnetic strip is a chance to reclaim territory.
With the right hacks, your tiny bathroom becomes less of a daily frustration and more of a well-oiled machine.
You’ve got this. Now go give that shampoo bottle a permanent home.
