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A small bathroom can feel like a daily test of patience. I’ve seen it dozens of times: toiletries crammed onto the tiny sliver of counter space, a tube of toothpaste that inevitably falls into the sink (or worse), towels that never seem to dry because they’re piled on a single hook. It’s a frustrating way to start and end your day.
Frankly, we ask too much of our bathrooms. We expect them to be purely functional while also serving as a space for quiet ritual and renewal. But when it’s cluttered, it can’t be either. The good news is that creating order isn’t about finding some magical, hidden space. It’s about being smarter with the space you already have. My work is all about designing libraries and reading nooks—spaces built for focus and comfort—and I’ve found the exact same principles apply to making a bathroom feel less chaotic and more composed. It’s all about thoughtful organization.
1. Look Up: The Power of Over-the-Toilet Shelving
In any library project, the first rule for maximizing a collection is to go vertical. Your home is no different. That blank wall above your toilet is probably the most neglected piece of real estate in your entire house, and it’s begging to be put to work.
An over-the-toilet storage unit, often called an “etagere,” is the simplest way to do this. It frames the toilet and instantly gives you three or four shelves of storage without eating up any floor space. What I tell my clients is to think of it like a library bookshelf. The items you reach for every single day—your face wash, your toothbrush holder—belong on the most accessible shelf, right around eye level. The higher shelves are perfect for backups, guest towels, or decorative baskets. Just be sure to choose a unit that can be anchored to the wall; the last thing you want is a wobbly tower in a tiny room.
Let’s stay with that vertical mindset but shift to a solution that feels a little lighter and more integrated.
2. Defy Gravity with Floating Shelves
Heavy, boxy cabinets can feel like they’re sucking the air out of a small room. Floating shelves do the exact opposite. They provide storage while keeping the visual field open, which tricks the eye into seeing the space as larger and more breathable.
But here’s the key: floating shelves are not for bulk storage. This is your display space. In my experience with book display, the most enticing shelves are the ones that aren’t crammed full. You’re curating a small collection. This is where you put the beautiful bottle of hand soap, a small bud vase with a single stem, or a stack of neatly folded washcloths. I once helped a client install two simple oak floating shelves and they put their fanciest skincare products on them—it instantly elevated the room from a utility closet to something that felt like a little boutique spa.
Now that we’ve used the main walls, let’s address those awkward, forgotten zones.
3. Activate Your Corners
Corners can easily become dead zones where dust bunnies and forgotten hairspray cans go to die. But with the right shelving, they can become one of your most clever storage assets.
You can find corner shelving units designed to fit perfectly into that 90-degree angle, instantly creating a home for things that would otherwise clutter up the vanity. A small, tiered corner shelf in a shower is a game-changer. I personally prefer simple, individual floating shelves installed in a staggered pattern up a corner. It feels more custom and less clunky than a pre-fab unit. This is the perfect spot for things you need but don’t necessarily want to feature—think of it as the reference section of your bathroom library.
Okay, let’s move from the visible spaces to the ones we interact with every single day: the drawers.
4. End the Drawer Jumble with Organizers
Let’s be honest, opening a messy drawer is a uniquely stressful experience. It’s a jumble of objects, and you have to rummage around every morning just to find your floss. Drawer organizers are, without a doubt, the most satisfying, high-impact fix for this. The before-and-after is incredible.
My background in library science is basically a degree in categorization. Here’s how to apply it: don’t just dump things into compartments. Think about systems.
- Group by routine: Create a “morning” section and an “evening” section.
- Group by type: All dental care in one spot, all skincare in another.
- Group by person: If you share the bathroom, assign specific zones.
You don’t need a fancy, custom system. Simple bamboo or clear acrylic dividers from places like Muji or The Container Store work wonders. The goal is to give every single item a “home,” so your muscle memory can take over and you’re not making a dozen tiny, frustrating decisions before you’ve even had coffee.
From the contained chaos of a drawer, we go to the true final frontier of bathroom clutter: the cabinet under the sink.
5. Tame the Under-Sink Abyss with Stackable Drawers
The cabinet under the sink is a black hole. It’s dark, the plumbing is in the way, and anything that gets pushed to the back is lost for years. The solution isn’t just bins; it’s pull-out or stackable drawers.
I learned this the hard way on an early design project. We put in beautiful, deep woven baskets for a client’s under-sink storage. A month later, she showed me she had bought three new bottles of surface cleaner because she couldn’t see the ones she already had in the back of the basket. It was a failure of accessibility. From that day on, I’ve sworn by systems that slide out. Whether it’s clear plastic drawers or a professionally installed gliding wire basket, the ability to bring the back of the cabinet to the front is non-negotiable.
Let’s talk about another critical cabinet, one that’s often misused.
6. Reimagine Your Medicine Cabinet
First, a bit of a public service announcement from a guy who values preservation, be it of books or medicines: the steamy, humid environment of a bathroom is actually one of the worst places to store most medications. Think of your medicine cabinet as a “daily grooming cabinet” instead.
Because it’s at eye level, this is your most valuable storage real estate. It should only hold the things you use one or two times a day. Your toothbrush, toothpaste, contact lens case, daily moisturizer, razor. That’s it. Get everything else out. This forces you to be disciplined, and that discipline is what creates the feeling of an orderly, functional space. It’s like a library’s “Quick Picks” shelf—prime placement is reserved for high-circulation items only.
If you’re replacing that cabinet or starting fresh, you can get a two-for-one benefit.
7. Combine Reflection and Storage with a Mirrored Cabinet
A mirrored cabinet is a classic for a reason. It does two essential jobs at once: it provides concealed storage and it bounces light around, which is crucial for making a small room feel bigger and brighter. My degree is in Library Science, but my certificate is in Interior Design, and a well-placed mirror is one of the oldest tricks in the book.
If you can, a recessed mirrored cabinet—one that is set into the wall—is the gold standard. It gives you all the storage with none of the bulk, creating a completely flush, clean surface. If you’re remodeling, it’s an upgrade I highly recommend. Even a standard wall-mounted one makes a huge difference, consolidating two needs into one elegant footprint.
Now for a surface that is almost always overlooked.
8. Use the Back of Your Door
The back of the bathroom door is a blank canvas. An over-the-door hook rack is the most basic solution, perfect for giving towels and robes a place to hang and—this is important—actually dry out.
But you can get much more sophisticated. There are slim, hanging caddies with multiple baskets or pockets that can hold a surprising amount of stuff. They are fantastic for storing hair styling tools (after they’ve cooled!) or back-stock toiletries. Just a word of caution: look for a model that has a thin profile and secure hooks. A clunky organizer that bangs against the door frame every time you open it will just trade one annoyance for another.
Let’s look for another overlooked spot, this time on the floor.
9. Slide a Cart into That Awkward Gap
You know that strange, narrow gap? The one that’s almost always between the toilet and the vanity? It’s too small for most furniture, so it just collects dust. That gap is practically custom-made for a slim rolling cart.
These carts are brilliant. They slide into that useless space and can hold an incredible amount—extra toilet paper, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. Because they’re on wheels, you can easily pull them out when you need something and tuck them away when you’re done. Just do yourself a favor and measure the gap before you buy one. Twice.
For those planning a bigger project, this next one is an investment in pure daily convenience.
10. Integrate Storage with a Shower Niche
There is nothing more chaotic than a collection of shampoo and soap bottles slipping off the narrow ledge of a bathtub or cluttering the shower floor. A built-in shower niche is the cleanest, most seamless solution. It’s storage that’s part of the architecture itself.
In library planning, we call this ‘point-of-need’ design. The materials are exactly where the user needs them, at the moment they need them. That’s what a niche does. If you’re planning a bathroom or shower remodel, I beg you to include one, or even two. Plan for a taller one to accommodate modern pump bottles and maybe a smaller one for a bar of soap or a razor. You will thank yourself every single day.
No remodel in your future? Don’t worry, there’s a much easier way to bring order to your shower.
11. Choose a Shower Caddy That Actually Works
The world is full of terrible shower caddies. They rust. They slip down the shower head. The suction cups fail at 3 a.m. with a crash that scares you half to death. But a good caddy can be a fantastic, non-permanent solution.
Forget the cheap ones. Invest in a caddy made of stainless steel or coated metal that’s guaranteed to be rust-proof. The most stable designs are usually the tension pole caddies that run from floor to ceiling in a corner, or the hanging models that have a rubberized grip to prevent slipping and braces to keep them from swaying. Look for features like wide shelves and hooks for razors or loofahs.
If you just need a tiny bit of extra storage, here’s the simplest fix of all.
12. Use Suction Cups (The Right Way)
Suction cup organizers have a bad reputation because most people install them incorrectly. They are surprisingly effective if you know the secret. They only work on perfectly smooth, non-porous surfaces (like glossy tile or glass), and you have to prep the area.
Here’s what I’ve found works: thoroughly clean the tile and the suction cup with rubbing alcohol. Let it dry completely. Press the cup firmly against the wall to push out all the air. They won’t hold your giant bottle of conditioner, but they are absolutely perfect for a bar of soap, a single razor, or a washcloth. It’s a small, cheap solution that can solve a very specific, annoying problem.
Let’s step out of the shower and look at a storage piece that adds style as well as function.
13. Add Character with a Ladder Shelf
A ladder shelf leans against the wall, giving it a relaxed, informal feel that works beautifully in a bathroom. Its angled design provides storage on multiple levels while taking up a very small footprint on the floor, and it feels much lighter and more open than a traditional cabinet.
This is a perfect place to combine practical storage with decorative touches. Use the lower, wider shelves for stacks of towels or a large basket, and the upper, narrower shelves for smaller items. I love seeing them used for a mix of things: a basket of toilet paper, a nice plant that loves humidity, and a few rolled-up hand towels. It turns basic storage into a stylish feature.
While we’re on the topic of style, let’s talk about texture.
14. Warm Up the Space with Woven Baskets
Bathrooms are full of hard, cold surfaces: porcelain, tile, glass, metal. Woven baskets—made of seagrass, rattan, or hyacinth—are the perfect antidote. They introduce a natural texture and warmth that can instantly make the space feel softer and more inviting.
Use them on an open shelf, on top of the toilet tank, or under the vanity. They are fantastic for concealing visual clutter—think of them as a beautiful home for extra toilet paper, a collection of cleaning supplies, or even a child’s bath toys. A good basket has the same effect as a leather-bound book on a shelf of paperbacks; it just adds a touch of organic, grounding quality to the whole space.
From concealing clutter, let’s move to a method that puts it on beautiful display.
15. Create a Display with Clear Containers
There is a deep, satisfying sense of calm that comes from being able to see exactly what you have. Transferring everyday items like cotton balls, Q-tips, and bath salts from their ugly plastic packaging into simple glass jars or acrylic canisters is a small change with a huge psychological payoff.
This is the organizational equivalent of a perfectly designed book cover. It takes something purely functional and makes it visually appealing. You can line them up on a floating shelf or group them on a tray on your vanity. The contents themselves become part of the decor, adding subtle color and texture. It’s a tiny ritual that makes your everyday essentials feel a little more special.
Of course, not everything is pretty enough to be put on display.
16. Hide Things in Plain Sight with Decorative Boxes
For everything else, there are decorative boxes. This is your secret weapon for hiding the things you need but don’t necessarily want to look at—think extra toothpaste tubes, feminine hygiene products, or a first-aid kit.
By stashing these items in a set of matching boxes on a shelf, you turn a jumble of mismatched packaging into a clean, cohesive, and intentional design element. The eye sees a neat stack of boxes, not the clutter within. It’s a simple act of containment that can make open shelving feel serene and minimalist rather than busy and overwhelming.
Let’s talk about one more clever way to hide things.
17. Use the Inside of Your Cabinet Doors
Just like the back of the bathroom door, the inside of your vanity doors is prime, unused space. It’s the perfect spot for storage that you want accessible but out of sight.
You can mount small racks designed to hold a hairdryer or curling iron. Simple, stick-on acrylic pods or wire baskets are great for holding sponges, brushes, or cleaning cloths. Even a simple towel bar mounted on the inside of the door gives you a handy, hidden place to hang a cleaning cloth or dish towel to dry. It’s all about finding these little pockets of opportunity.
Now, let’s address the biggest clutter magnet in the entire room.
18. Tame Your Countertop with a Tray
The bathroom counter is a natural dumping ground. It’s flat, it’s there, and by the end of the day it’s covered in random items. The single best way to combat this is with an organizing tray.
A tray doesn’t add storage, it defines it. By grouping your hand soap, lotion, and maybe a small cup for toothbrushes onto a single tray, you are creating a visual boundary. Instead of five scattered objects creating chaos, you have one cohesive unit. In design, we call this creating a ‘vignette.’ It’s a small composition that looks intentional, not accidental. It’s a psychological trick that makes the entire counter feel tidier.
Don’t be afraid to look for solutions outside the bathroom aisle.
19. Repurpose Wall Organizers for a Creative Twist
Some of the best storage solutions come from creative repurposing. A wall-mounted magazine rack, for instance, can be a surprisingly chic holder for a few rolls of toilet paper or several neatly rolled hand towels.
I’ve seen clients use wall-mounted spice racks to hold small bottles of lotions, nail polish, or essential oils. A simple wire file holder mounted to the side of a vanity is a perfect place to tuck away a hair straightener (once it’s cooled!). Looking beyond an object’s intended purpose opens up a world of stylish, unexpected possibilities that will keep your bathroom from looking like a sterile catalog photo.
Let’s go back to the door for one more heavy-duty solution.
20. Max Out Your Door with a Hanging Organizer
If you need a serious dose of storage, a full-length, over-the-door organizer with multiple pockets is the answer. This is different from a simple hook rack; it’s a true vertical storage system.
These are especially useful in family bathrooms or for anyone with an extensive collection of products. You can assign pockets to different people or to different categories—hair products, skincare, first aid. Everything is visible and easy to grab, but when you close the door, the clutter completely disappears, leaving the room feeling calm and open.
Let’s apply that same vertical logic to your closets and cabinets.
21. Build Upward with Stackable Systems
Inside a deep vanity or a linen closet, the biggest waste of space happens when you only use the bottom surface. Stacking is the key to multiplying your storage capacity.
Just like with the under-sink area, my preference is for systems that are easy to access. Stackable drawers are superior to stackable bins, because you don’t have to unstack three bins to get to the one on the bottom. In a library archive, everything is labeled. Do the same here. A simple label on the front of each drawer removes the guesswork and mental load of remembering where everything is. You create a system that works so well you don’t have to think about it.
Sometimes, the best solution is a bigger change.
22. Get a Serious Upgrade by Replacing Your Vanity
I love the look of a vintage pedestal sink, but let’s be blunt: they are a storage disaster. If your small bathroom has a pedestal sink, the single most impactful change you can make is to replace it with a vanity that has storage.
This one move can solve most of your problems. Look for vanities designed for small spaces. A wall-mounted or “floating” vanity is a fantastic choice, because seeing the floor underneath creates an illusion of spaciousness. Even a narrow vanity with a couple of deep drawers offers exponentially more functional storage than a sink with none at all. It’s an investment, but it fundamentally changes how the room works.
Finally, the most powerful and important strategy of all.
23. The Best Storage Solution: Own Less Stuff
Here’s the honest truth, from someone who spends his life organizing things: you cannot organize clutter. The most profound, effective, and lasting way to create a calm and functional bathroom is to simply have less stuff in it.
Every librarian knows that ‘weeding’ the collection—thoughtfully removing old, irrelevant, or unused books—is as important as acquiring new ones. Your bathroom is the most personal library you own. It deserves the same level of curation. Go through your products. Be ruthless. Are you really going to use that face mask you bought two years ago? Are those three nearly-empty shampoo bottles bringing you joy? Let them go. A minimalist approach isn’t about stark emptiness; it’s about making sure that every single item in your space has a purpose and has earned its right to be there.
A Space That Works For You
In the end, organizing your bathroom isn’t just about neat containers and clever shelves. It’s about reducing friction in your daily life. It’s about creating a space that supports you, that feels calm, and that gives you a moment of peace instead of a jolt of stress.
You don’t need to do all of these things at once. Start with one—the one that solves your most annoying problem. Tame that messy drawer. Get a real shower caddy. Put a tray on the counter. Each small act of order builds on the last, and before you know it, you’ll have a space that isn’t just a tiny room you have to use, but a small sanctuary you can genuinely enjoy.
