It can be a major challenge finding space for everything to organise a bathroom without storage. If you have a hanging or pedestal sink, for example, and lack a medicine cabinet for storage, it can start to feel cluttered and claustrophobic really fast in a tiny bath. An untidy bathroom filled to the brim with stuff can actually appear smaller than it already is.
Where do you stow towels and washcloths, let alone cosmetics, makeup, brushes, combs, hygiene items, the hair dryer and curling iron when you've got no drawers or under sink storage? How can you organise all of the inventory in your bathroom without storage?
Small bathrooms are relatively common in many flats, condos and houses. My own master bath has no medicine cabinet, no under-sink storage, no drawers—nothing except a single ledge above the sink which encases the plumbing. There are still a bunch of workarounds though! I've gathered my favourite tips and products in this post to help you organise a bathroom without storage, and make it appear larger.
In this article
Utilise Niche Space
There's hardly a better place in your home to take advantage of niche storage space than in the bath. Perhaps you have a slim space between the wall and sink where seemingly nothing fits. Or maybe a gap next to the toilet. A narrow rolling cart with drawers, a skinny shelving unit, or a repurposed bar cart might fit here and open up new storage space.
Have a good look at your niches and measure the space to see if there is a workaround out there for you.
I use this unit from Muji in my bath, and it holds a ton. Everything from cosmetic supplies and extra toilet paper, to my daily makeup and big hairbrushes. If you don't have a Muji close by, you can find a variety of slim options on Amazon, some of which also work well in the kitchen:
4-Tier Slim Storage Cart with Slide-Out Wire Baskets, Kitchen Rolling Utility Cart Narrow Storage Shelf with Wooden Tabletop & Wooden Handle & Wheels for Bathroom Laundry Kitchen Narrow Spaces
Premium Quality Material: Our narrow kitchen cart is made from solid wood top and a sturdy metal frame. Structured with heavy sturdy frame and sleek powder coated finished which is anti-rust, allow you to have this cart in your laundry room or bathroom or kitchen other wet places for years
SPACEKEEPER 4-Tier Rolling Storage Cart, Slide Out Bathroom Organizer Mobile Shelving Unit Laundry Room Storage with Brake Wheels, Hanging Cups, Dividers for Kitchen Bathroom Narrow Spaces, White
【Pull-out Drawer Design】- Different with other normal rolling carts, This rolling storage cart is upgraded with pull-out drawer, allowing you to pick and access items more flexibly. It's more convenient especially in narrow gaps.
If you prefer drawers, there are also a variety of very slim options out there for you.
Spirich Slim Bathroom Storage Cabinet with Toilet Paper Holder, White
🎄The Slide-Out Bathroom Floor Cabinet, with a narrow footprint but large capacity that adds organization and storage to a tight bathroom space, is ideal for snug powder rooms or storage-starved bathrooms.
3-Tiers Bathroom Organizers and Storage Floor Cabinet 6.69″ Narrow Slim Towel Side Corner Unit with Clear Drawers and Casters for Tiny Kitchen Laundry Living Room Gap
Super Light Weight Slim Plastic Bathroom Storage, Self-Assembling Organizer 5 Tier Cart with 4 Wheels (Product Comes with Installation Instructions and Video)
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Two more options that could work well next to the toilet, for example:
Amazon product
FUIN Blanket Ladder, 57in Wood Rustic Decotative Ladder with Bottom Shelf
RUSTIC FARMHOUSE ORIGINAL DESIGN: This rustic farmhouse-style ladder is a perfect decoration to your living room, bedroom, bathroom, basement only takes small spaces or on the room corner as an organizer creates more storage spaces
BZH Blanket Ladder with Shelf, 5 Tier Towel Racks, Bamboo Blanket Holder, Decorative Blanket, Quilt, Towel, Scarf Ladder Shelves for Livingroom, Bedroom, Bathroom, Farmhouse (White)
ECO-Friendly and Health - 100% bamboo material, bamboo is quickly regenerates plants, strong and durable, the longer it is used, the more beautiful it looks, which can reflect the design tradition of BZH eco-friendly furniture. BZH believes that bamboo will become "The New Green" to mitigate the world's climate change problem.
Hang a Shelf Unit
If you don't have any drawers or cabinet space beneath your bathroom sink, you might be able to place a shelving unit next to it. If the shelves open to the side, the room will appear more tidy and you can easily reach what you need when you're standing at the sink.
Alternatively, if you have dead wall space above the toilet, you can hang a shelving unit with minimal depth above the loo. This space is often overlooked, so use it if you can! A shelf here is great for displaying perfume bottles or storing other toiletries in decorative baskets or containers.
Floating Shelves Wall Shelf Bathroom Shelving Mounted Industrial Pipe Shelf 4 Tier Ladder Shelves Wall Decor for Bedroom Living Room Wine Bar & Dorm, Rose Gold
【Industrial Style】:This wall shelf consists of strong metal pipes and MDF board,High-quality materials carry heavier loads, stable and durable,The unique manufacturing process can add vintage steampunk style to the place of use.
Floating Shelves, 3 Tier Wall Mounted Metal Floating Shelves Black with Frame and Towel Rack for Bathroom, Living Room, Bedroom, Kitchen
Simple and Stylish Design -3 Tier floating shelves wall mounted with frame and towel holder, can be matched well with most household style
Amazon product
Clear Acrylic Floating Shelves 4 Pack, 9.4'' Wall Mounted Shelves for Bedroom, Bathroom, Living Room, Gaming Room with Free Tool and Accessories
🌟【Durable and Lightweight】 Made from premium-grade acrylic, this floating shelf is built to last. The sturdy material is resistant to scratches, cracks, and chips, ensuring that your shelf will stay in great condition for years to come. Each shelf can hold up to 7.8 lbs reliably. Despite its strength, acrylic is also remarkably lightweight, making it easy to install and move as needed.
Floating Shelves with Protective Metal Rail, Small Bathroom Shelves Set of 4, Spice Rack Wall Mount, Wood Shelves for Kitchen, Living Room, Bedroom, Nursery Book- Modern White and Gold
【Build for Longer Use】- Compared to boards made from soft paulownia wood, our floating shelves are handcrafted from solid and long-lasting pine wood- which gives you a more durable and comfy use for years to come. The metal rail on the front is forged from the toughest steel and powder coated to prevent rust for a long period of use. More stable and robust construction are offered by WOPITUES floating shelves- each shelf is sturdy enough to hold 20 lbs with ease!
Acrylic Floating Shelves Wall Mounted Hanging Shelves with Golden Towel Rack Decorative Storage Shelves for Bathroom, Kitchen, Living Room & Bedroom- Set of 2
【EXCELLENT QUALITY】All of our 16''*4'' floating shelves are made by professional craftsmen, constructed of sturdy acrylic sheets and high-quality metal frames that are not easy to rust, moisture-proof and environmentally friendly. After strict inspection to ensure that each product has good stability
Floating Shelves, Wall Shelves for Living Room, Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom, 3-Tier Shelves for Books/Storage/Wall Decor with 50lbs Capacity(Antique White 16inch)
【Suitable for Small Space】: this 3 tier wall shelf is perfect for adding storage space, the wall mounted design won't take up too much space and meets your ample storage needs, you can use it as a shelf, bookshelf, rack, plant stand
The area above the bathroom door is also often overlooked, yet it's another great space to add a solitary shelf. I used a simple white Lack shelf from Ikea in my last flat to store all my towels and it worked great since I had no linen closet.
Admittedly though, I am very tall so if you're on the petite side you might find it hard to reach up there everyday for fresh towels.
You could, however, still store more seldom used things up above the door and then grab a stool to fetch them down when you need them occasionally. Spare beauty supplies, for example, curlers you only use twice a year, or perhaps festive hair accessories you tend to only wear to holiday parties could all be stowed in this harder to reach space.
Add Hooks
Towels, bathrobes, pajamas and other daily items can all be hung on hooks if you've no drawers or shelf space. Hang 'em high, hang 'em low. There's a hook to be had for whatever decor style you favour, from bohemian, antique looking, or modern!
If you live in a rental and are unable to drill holes in your walls, get yourself some extra strong, double-sided adhesive tape. You can remove both the hook and the tape when you move out.
Towel Hooks Bathroom Coat Robe Wall Hook Heavy Duty Door Hanger
Installation method: Drill hole installation
Towel Hooks for Bathrooms Wall Mounted Polished Chrome 4 Packs, Wall Hooks for Hanging Towels Coat Robe Hat, Robe Hooks for Bathroom Entryway Bedroom Mudroom Heavy Duty SUS 304 Stainless Steel
💎【Stainless Steel & Anti-rust】Our towel hooks are made from high quality 304 stainless steel, which are waterproof, rustproof and anti-corrosive, this bath towel hooks ensures long durability and reliability.
26lb Heavy Duty Adhesive Towel Hooks, No-Damage 4 Pack Matte Black
Strong Adhesion Towel Hooks – MAXIMUM LOAD-BEARING 26 LBS | 30% IMPROVED ADHESION STABILITY – Upgraded Nano Gel Adhesive Technology Provides a Super Strong Grip, and the Large 2.8" x 2.8" Size Provides Greater Surface Contact for Enhanced Adhesion
Max Out Shower Space
When you're low on space in the bath, opt for a shower caddy or two to keep all of your shower items organised. There are corner caddies, over-door caddies and freestanding, slip-free caddies with rubber feet. These units work great in tight spaces. Corners of the shower are often wasted space and you can find a number of options in various forms and materials to fit your particular shower situation. I like these from Yamakazi Home:
YAMAZAKI Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Medium, 17" - Steel - Holds Up to 9 Dispensers
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Yamazaki Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Large, 26" - Steel -
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Yamazaki Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Small, 13" - Steel -
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Freestanding shower caddies
Yamazaki Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Large, 26" - Steel -
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YAMAZAKI Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Small, 13" - Steel -
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YAMAZAKI Home Tower Bath Rack - Bathroom Shower Storage Holder, Caddy Shelf Organizer - Large, 26" - Steel -
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Taller shower caddies
Shower Caddy Hanging, Bathroom Shower Rack, Bathroom Organizer with Soap Dish, Over The Showerhead Caddy with Hooks for Razor/Sponge, Black
【PREVENT WOBBLING】: The suction cups and adhesive strips work together to make the hanging shower organizer stabler on the wall, so that it can effectively prevent the shower basket from wobbling when you pick up or put back your toiletries.
Zenna Home Rustproof Hanging Shower Caddy, Over the Shower Head Caddy with 2 Shelves and Built In Hooks, Aluminum Bathroom Hanging Organizer, Satin Chrome
Made of Aluminum
Shower Caddy Hanging,Large Capacity Shower Organizer,Black
Well-Organized Shower Caddy - 2 deep baskets of 13"x5.3x2.75/11.8x4.5x2.75 ,offering plenty space to hold tall shampoo & conditioner bottles(up to 12"), while the built-in soap dish and 4 hooks keep sponges, razors & towels within easy reach. Perfect for storing all your essentials in limited space.
Classic shower head caddies
Here are some other options for corners and over the shower door. Corner caddy can be drilled or mounted with a tension pole:
YASONIC Corner Adhesive Shower Caddy, with Soap Holder and 12 Hooks, Rustproof Stainless Steel Bathroom Organizer, No Drilling Wall Mounted Rack, Black, 3-Pack
Space-Saving L-Shaped Design: This “L” Shape of the corner shower caddy is designed for making full use of corner space. With the large-area adhesive, the capacity of the corner shower caddy is up to 40 lbs, which is equal to 19 bottles of 34oz shampoo/shower gel/body lotion weight. Note: This shower caddy fits 90 degrees wall corner, not suitable for rounded or curved corner space
Zenna Home Tension Pole Shower Caddy Corner Organizer, Adjustable Standing Shower Caddy with 4 Baskets and Towel Bar, Rust Resistant Bathroom Tension Rod Organizer, 60 to 97 Inch, Bronze
Made of Steel
Amazon product
Over-door caddies in rust-proof aluminum:
COVAODQ Over The Shower Door Caddy Pantry Organizer Rack with 6 sticky Tray Rust Proof Hanging Shower Organizer Shelf Basket Storage Rack, Bathroom Shelves Drill Free
4 Height Adjustable Large Capacity Shelves: You can adjust the distance between the shelves to suit your needs, which means toiletries of all sizes can be perfectly stored away.
OXO Good Grips Over The Door Aluminum Shower Caddy
Automatically adjusts to fit shower enclosure doors or sliding door frames
You could even add a regular horizontal tension rod to your shower. Hang some rust-free hooks from it to keep sponges and razors handy, as well as a caddy for your shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, shaving cream, etc.
Corral Items With Trays
When you are lucky enough to have countertops or if you've hung some shelves, trays are a great way to corral your favourite and most-used products. You'll have them within easy reach, and the tray adds a decorative touch. Plus you'll save space, making these flat surfaces look less cluttered and easier to clean.
If you have a lot of makeup to organise, there is a wide variety of organisers, separators, brush holders and inlays on the market for every specific type of makeup under the sun. From lippies to powder compacts, you can find makeup storage options for even the tiniest of spaces.
In my own bathroom, I'm a huge fan of the PP organisers from Muji. I use these to corral my daily beauty creams and hair products, as well as store Q-tips and cotton pads.
Mount a Mirrored Medicine Cabinet
If you have an empty wall above the sink and are able to hang a cabinet, do it! Opt for a mirrored cabinet. It will really open up the small space by reflecting light, making everything appear larger.
Mirrored cabinets were popular in the 70s and 80s and have made a comeback. Rightfully so! For one, they make a small bathroom look bigger. They also make it easier to do your hair and makeup, plus they hold a ton of toiletries, medicine, and beauty supplies.
I personally love the clean hotel look of them, too. A friend of mine installed two of the inexpensive Godmorgon mirrored cabinets from Ikea side by side and they really gave his bath a five-star luxury hotel look.
Amazon has some similar options:
Kohler CB-CLC3026FS Bathroom Medicine Cabinet with Mirror, Beveled Mirror Doors, Adjustable Shelves, Rectangular Beveled Edge, 30 in. W x 26 in. H
Aluminum
Amazon product
You can even stick slim magnetic organisers inside the doors of the medicine cabinet for additional storage. These are great for lipsticks and eyeliners, for example.
MagnaPods Cosmetic Organizer - "The Authentic Original"
A set of three storage units that magnetically adhere to the inside of your steel framed medicine cabinet.
Finally, if you have a big budget (and a good electrician), you could go all out with a mirrored cabinet that has an integrated LCD TV, Internet connection, USB ports and a defogging function. You'll never be bored whilst flossing your teeth again. 😅
Use Baskets
Baskets are another flexible storage solution that are fantastic for organising. You can use a large, freestanding basket to tuck away rolled towels and appliances like the hair dryer or flatiron.
Smaller baskets can be stowed on a shelf or ledge to hold Q-tips, cotton balls, makeup, dental piks and floss, face creams, beauty utensils, hair and hygiene products. The range of baskets available is endless. You can get them in wood, wicker, polymer, metal, and in a variety of sizes.
And if you're really tight on space, you could even hang a multi-tiered basket set from the bathroom ceiling, within easy reach of the sink. These are often used for hanging plants or fresh produce, but can certainly be repurposed in the bath.
Go Vertical
Another way to organise a bathroom without storage is to take advantage of your vertical space. Using wall space is a great approach to maximise your storage capacities. For instance, shelves can be stacked up to the ceiling to hold baskets of extra toilet paper, paper towels, or extra shampoos you scored on sale. Wall caddies can house smaller items such as eye creams, contact lens solution, and makeup.
Kitsure Shower Caddy - 2 Pack Adhesive Shower Organizer, Rustproof Metal Shelves, No-Drill Bathroom Organizers and Storage, Black, XX-Large
PREMIUM RUSTPROOF MATERIAL: Kitsure shower racks for inside shower feature 100% Metal and thickened coating, which is rustproof, waterproof, scratch-free, and durable for long-term use. In addition, with a smooth and easy-to-clean surface, you can just rinse the shower caddy and leave it to air dry.
Shower Caddy Gold, 2 Pack Shower Shelves Strong Adhesive Bathroom Shower Organizer with Hooks No Drilling Wall-Mounted Shower Shelf for Inside Shower
bathroom shower organizer
MRPAPA Shower Caddy Wall Mounted, 2 Pack Bathroom Organizer Shelves with Extra Adhesive Pad, No Drilling Bathroom Accesseries Holder Corner Shower Organiser Shelf No Drilling Kitchen Spice Rack
【Super capacity Bath shelves】✿ 2 Pack Wall Mount No drilling wall bathroom organizers, Size: L*W*H=11.6*4.3*2.5Inch, bath organizer for shower is made of safe and durable PP material , shower home organization must haves.
Ladder storage is yet another super vertical option for towels and robes. You can also hang baskets from them for additional toiletry or cosmetic storage.
These slimline ladders have been on trend for some time now and are a popular decorative element in baths. They don't protrude too much from the wall and simply lean against it. Because they're tall as opposed to wide, they fit very well in many tiny bathrooms. Plus they're flexible and you can move them around or even use them as a standing helper when you're sorting out your bathroom closet!
Pickpiff Black Blanket Ladder - Durable Metal Towel Racks, Scratch-Resistant and Easy Assembly Decorative Ladders for Home Decor, Living Room, Bedroom, Bathroom, Holder for Throw Blanket, Quilt
Leaning Ladder Design & Stylish Storage: This leaning blanket ladder is both a beautiful decoration and a super practical storage shelf. Features 4 metal bars, which is great for hanging towels, throws, blankets, newspapers, and magazines.
Yamazaki Home Leaning Ladder Hanger - Bathroom Storage Rack Holder Stand
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT: This product is 9.45 x 17.72 x 62.99 inches (L x W x H) and weighs 5.29 pounds.
MyGift Rustic Blanket Ladder, Burnt Wood Throw Quilt Rack, Farmhouse Style with 5 Black Metal Rungs, Bathroom Towel Ladder Storage Rack
5 foot Wall-leaning ladder-shaped designed to hang blanket, quilts and towels
Finally, don't forget to use the back of the bathroom door! This is probably the most inconspicuous place to organise a bathroom without storage. You can fit so much here, and I'm not just talking hooks, although over-the-door hooks and baskets are two great options for this space. Hang your robe and towels on the back of the door with slimline, easy-mount hooks, for example:
Romeda 4 Pack Over The Door Hooks, Sturdy Metal Single Over Door Hooks, White Door Hanger Hook Door Hooks for Hanging, Towels, Clothes, Bathroom, Hold Up to 7Lbs
STURDY AND DURABLE: Our over the door hooks are made of high-quality metal, and each door hook that hangs from the door is 4.5 inches tall and can hold up to 7 Lbs.
WEBI Over the Door Hooks,Over Door Towel Rack,Door Hanger,Door Coat Hanger,Over the Door Coat Rack,Door Hooks for Hanging Clothes,Back of Door,White
Overall sizes: 15-3/8”L * 3-1/4”W * 4-1/2”H; This over the door hooks fit most doors from 1 3/8 inch to 1 3/4 inch thick.White over the door hook rack,6 door hooks for hanging.
2-Pack Over The Door Hooks - with 2 Hang Heads & Snug Fit Pads Heavy Duty Hook for Hanging Coats, Towels, Caps & Robes - Elegant Matt Finish - No Drill Hanger Organizer - Gold
STURDY METAL HOOKS FOR HANGING. Our over the door clothes hanger is made from zinc alloy that can hold up to 20 pounds for each hook, ideal as a robe & towel hook for bathroom, hat hanger, coat hook, cubicle hook, closet hook & more.
Over-the-door baskets are another good option for extra storage:
Over The Door Hanging Baskets, 3-Tier Wall Hanging Storage Basket, Woven Cotton Rope Hanging Organizer, Decorative Hanging Shelf Basket for Living Room, Bathroom,Bedroom and Kitchen (Jute)
OrganiHaus Over the Door Organizer, Woven Rope Hanging Baskets, 3-Tier
Rope Woven Over Door Hanging Organizer Baskets – These beautiful over the door organizer bathroom baskets feature three separate tiers that are perfect for wall basket storage or organizing personal items, home decor, magazines, toiletries rack, shoes, and much more.
Amazon product
Over-door hanging organisers with multiple pockets are another great way to organise a bathroom without storage. Tuck away your hair brushes and combs, body lotion, facial creams, washcloths, hairbands, shaving supplies, and makeup in these practical storage pockets. Here are three types of simple hanging organisers for doors, including a pantry organiser which can be repurposed in bathrooms. You can click through for details and measurements:
Amazon product
Over Door Hanging Organizer, 5 Tier 44 lb Load Behind Door Storage Bag
Space-saving behind-the-door add-ons,This gray over the door hanging storage organizer is crafted from durable non-woven fabric, designed for ultimate space-saving storage with a practical structure of 5 large compartments and 3 small pockets. Each large compartment features a mesh front for quick visibility of inner items, making it easy to find what you need at a glance
Over The Door Shoe Organizer 12 Large Mesh Pockets Boots Hanging Storage Shoe Rack for Closet White
[12 extra large mesh pockets]: Larger than other hanging shoe rack, the pocket is wide enough to hold men shoes size 15, running shoes, men sneakers, tennis shoes, athletic shoes, boots, heels, slippers or other extra large shoes;
If you're in a small rental you can't modify, these organisers are an inexpensive storage option that don't require drilling.
Making a Small Bath Look Bigger
Apart from effective decluttering and organising, there are other things you can do to make a small bathroom appear more spacious. If you're moving into a brand new place or are planning on re-decorating the bath, here are a few tricks you can use to make your small space appear larger.
Add Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces
Reflective surfaces like glossy tiles and large mirrors reflect the light in your bath and give the illusion of a bigger space. In similar fashion, you can also go with chrome fixtures, glass, and other shiny elements to trick the eye.
Stick With a Light Wall Colour
I personally prefer a white bathroom over any colour. It's the place where you clean yourself up everyday and white makes the space itself look clean and fresh. You can still use dark or bright colours as an accent if you don't like the all-white sterile look. Light greiges and beiges work equally well in the bath. At any rate, staying clear of dark wall colours will make the room appear automatically larger.
Swap Out Bulky Lighting Fixtures
Outdated, clunky lights are an eyesore. If you're painting the bath, now's a great time to swap them out for more streamlined, modern options with energy-efficient bulbs. Your bath will look more airy and fresh.
Opt for Large Tile
Finally, to create visual continuity in the bath, opt for large-format, floor to ceiling, uniform tiling. Having fewer grout lines in your line of vision makes the room look larger, as does a monochromatic colour choice. In addition, large tiles are easier to keep clean because they have less grouting!
What Are Your Best Hacks to Organise a Bathroom Without Storage?
I hope you found this run-down of ideas and tips helpful. Organising tiny spaces can be tough, but there are definitely a lot of tricks and products out there to help you organise a tiny bathroom.
If you have any other tips or feedback to share, please leave a comment!
