Small bathroom storage hacks

Get your hooks in

One of the best ways to take advantage of vertical space, such as walls, is with hooks.

• You can stick hooks on the wall to hang towels and robes. Towels on hooks dry better than towels on rods and don’t tend to look as sloppy. If you don’t want to drill a whole lot of holes in the walls, or you want to place hooks on tiles, using self-adhesive hooks is an option.
• One of the most underutilised spaces in a bathroom is the area behind the door. Put towel or robe hooks on the rear of your door or hang organisers from wall hooks.
• Installing hooks near your entrance, shower, or sink will catch anything that could fall and clutter up the floor.
• You can put baskets and other hanging containers on each hook or peg in easy-to-reach spots. For example, you can choose a wire shower organiser that combines multiple storage options, such as a basket or shelf with a horizontal rack, or use hanging organisers for kitchens.
• If you’re looking for a way to store your hair dryer, a hook on the side of the basin or vanity can work a treat.
• Alternatively, hang a file box, which is the perfect size for storing hair tools, from the hooks.

Shelving, shelving everywhere

Shelves offer flexibility and make the most of vertical space. Start with height and make the most of the space you have. Think about the area above things you would not naturally look at, like doorframes. High shelving can free up a tonne of room for things like spare toilet paper, guest towels and other stuff you don’t use every day or would rather not have on display.

• Consider shelves over-the-toilet and bath areas. An over-the-toilet storage unit is a great way to create extra storage yet it is not permanently fixed bathroom cabinetry.
• A ladder shelf or a leaning shelf against the wall is a stylish way to store and display bathroom essentials in the area above the toilet without taking up precious floor space. It is also a great spot to keep extra toilet rolls. You can decorate your ladder shelf with plants or use storage baskets. If you’re concerned that an over-the-toilet unit will make your bathroom look too cramped, consider a low-profile unit that nests just over the top and doesn’t take up an entire wall. Alternatively, if you’re worried about holes in the wall, you can hang baskets on towel rods secured with adhesive pads to make use of that wasted wall space.
• Why not use inexpensive spice or kitchen racks to store all your daily lotions, and potions at an easy-to-reach level? You can even keep everybody’s toothbrushes separate and off the vanity or basin.
• Hang shelves in the window, particularly if you have a non-opening widow.
• Hang a tiered shelf over the door frame.
• Mount a set of basket shelves on your wall for an inexpensive shelving solution by sticking nails through the basket’s weave and hammering them into the wall. The raised sides keep lotions, small towels, and makeup products contained while providing easy accessibility.

A right basket case

Baskets are an attractive and versatile way to store just about anything. A basket can serve as both an open display and a hidden storage solution for loads of stuff: towels, hand towels, dirty laundry, toilet paper, hair tools or bath essentials.

• Choose woven baskets or fabric bins in different sizes and textures.
• You can even hang baskets on towel rods with S hooks.
• If you’re tight on floor space, then don’t waste it on stand-up toilet paper holders. Instead, place a few rolls into a basket on top of the toilet cistern.
• Wire organisers can help make the most of the space under your vanity. Not only does it look much better, but now you’ll know where everything is.

Racks for more than just wine

If you’re short on shelf space, another option is to use a wine rack for towel storage. Simply roll up your towels and inset them into the spaces reserved for the bottles. A four-bottle – or towel – wine rack may only set you back as little as $30.00. Hanging racks can also easily be mounted to the wall with a set of screws.

Filling someone else’s shoes organisers

Another great hack for utilising wasted space are shoe organisers.

• You can put them on the back of a door or the inside of a vanity medicine cabinet door as a grab-and-go storage solution or, as we do, to keep various medicines and sticking plasters organised. They save space while keeping all your bathroom essentials within easy reach. This pocket-style system stops things from getting all jumbled together.
• If they are a bit long, cut them to fit and use velcro strips to attach them to the door.
• You could also use a clear shoe organiser if you prefer to see what is in each pocket.

Put the cart before everything

Carts and rolling storage can be very handy and can transform tight spaces into efficient storage areas. There are stacks of versatile, easily adjustable rolling storage choices available online.

• You can get mobile carts with shelves for open storage or drawers for closed storage.
• The narrow space between your shower and toilet might be transformed into useful storage space.
• If you usually put your cosmetics in the sink or countertop, you might consider using a cart or caddy that can be tucked in beside the basin. You’ll keep your products organised and avoid having them cluttering up the vanity or basin top.