Small Bathroom Storage Ideas, From A Professional Organiser

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

For tight spaces on tight budgets.

Small bathrooms easily become cluttered. From skincare to shampoo, the number of tubes, tubs and bottles to make space for can really add up, and that's before you even think about towels, cleaning products and bulky stocks of loo roll.

But there are plenty of innovative and easy ways to keep your space tidy, from nifty storage solutions to clever cabinets, as we found out from professional organiser, Vicky Silverthorn.

The space above the toilet is often neglected — especially in downstairs toilets. Vicky advises adding in a few floating shelves here or beside the shower or bath.

'You can pop baskets and jars on the shelves to keep your surface areas as clear as possible,' she says. 'Items that you don’t need as often can be kept on your top shelves so that they’re out of the way with items you use more often on the lower shelves.'

Pegs are also a good option to hang up towels and robes. If you’d rather avoid drilling holes into your walls, there are plenty of standalone units available without lower shelves to allow space for the loo. You can also find a variety of non-drill options that use self-adhesive stickers or suction cups.

When dealing with a lack of floor space, opt for tall and narrow furniture that utilises wall height. Storage units no more than 30cm wide are perfect for slotting into those awkward gaps between the door frame and the shower, or the toilet and the bath.

If using open shelving, storing items inside little baskets or colourful glass jars helps to tidy clutter and evoke a feeling of calm. Clear jars are also great, as you can easily see where things are and know when you're running low on supplies, Vicky says.

Keeping the top shelf free for a small plant, candle or diffuser, will also make the space feel more homely.

An organiser that slots over the shower curtain rail, screen door or shower head will keep all your bottles, scrubs and soaps neatly together.

There are also plenty of bathroom shelving units with suction cups that fix securely to tiles. We highly recommend this Joseph Joseph tiered caddy; it has a self-draining top shelf to prevent a build-up of water, angled pockets for easy storage and hanging hooks for washcloths and loofahs.

If you have a separate bath, avoid having to dot your bottles around the rim of your tub with a bath tray. It'll keep your essentials close while also giving you space for a cup of tea and a candle.

'It can be used alongside additional shelving or just keep out what you need for your bath,' says Vicky. 'When it comes to cleaning the tub, the tray can easily be picked up and moved as and when you need to.'

Chunky pedestal sinks can take up a lot of room in small bathrooms and prevent the installation of built-in storage units below. Fortunately, there are cupboards designed to fit around pedestals, so you can keep everything tucked out of sight.

Vicky recommends looking for units with tiered shelving to make full use of the space. She suggests putting storage boxes inside to organise your products, keeping items you use often at the top and heavier ones that you are less likely to use daily at the bottom.

If you have a tiled backsplash, you could also install a no-drill shelf or basket here for toothbrushes and bits and bobs, which would take items off the edge of the basin for a cleaner look.

Hannah Fox is Good Housekeeping UK’s Ecommerce Editor, testing and reviewing products across homes, gardening, fashion and travel, and reporting on the best deals during sales events including Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.

Since 2014, Hannah has written homes, wellness, women’s health and lifestyle content for numerous UK titles including Country Living, House Beautiful, Cosmopolitan and Harper's Bazaar, and published a book in 2019.

Before becoming a journalist, Hannah worked in SEO for five years, writing optimised content and conducting technical audits. She also spoke on the main stage at BrightonSEO in 2021.

Outside of work, you can find Hannah listening to podcasts, reading, or enjoying all the delicious food and alcohol-free cocktails London has to offer! You can follow Hannah on Instagram at @hannahefoxy.

Lauren was Hearst UK’s Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest trends, sales and product launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living and House Beautiful, and previously for Cosmopolitan, Red, ELLE, Prima and Harper’s Bazaar. Lauren’s specialism is interiors – whether it’s offering tips on how to perfect a seasonal tablescape or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the best-value deals during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day too, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.

Lauren graduated with a BA in English Literature and Journalism in 2013 and has worked in various editorial roles across the UK, Southeast Asia and North America since 2015. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness. When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital. Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah

These Christmas decorations are on sale right now

Everyone's buying cordless lamps – shop our faves

When is Black Friday 2024? All you need to know

Habitat celebrates 60 years with The Gold Edit

Black Friday 2024: The best sofa deals right now

Shop H&M Home's new Christmas collection

The best alternative Christmas crackers

Damson Madder launch first homeware collection

Hot on the High Street: Spooky season

Houseof launch new Rehoused lighting collection

19 Christmas garlands on our wishlist this year

The best Black Friday homeware deals to expect