18 Over-the-Toilet Storage Ideas to Keep You Organized
Get inspired to take advantage of vertical space.
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If your bathroom is on the small side, you know just how important it is to incorporate efficient storage solutions into your setup. Your daily essentials—toilet paper, towels, and washcloths, for example—all need to be within reach. Plus, it’s also key to have room for your favorite beauty and hair products. That’s why it helps to consider clever over-the-toilet storage solutions to make the most of your layout and keep it organized on a daily basis.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of storage options out there to utilize the space above and around your toilet. From enclosed medicine cabinets to hide essentials in style to beautiful shelving that can be spruced up with decor like potted plants and candles, you can easily find the right design for your compact bathroom.
Take a look below at our favorite over-the-toilet storage ideas right now.
Embrace Industrial Farmhouse Style
Love industrial farmhouse style? Katie of The Crafty Blog Stalker added a dose of the aesthetic to her small bathroom by installing pipe shelves. For a cohesive look, she also applied a deep walnut stain to match the mirror.
Upgrade a Basic Cabinet
There's no reason not to add some pizzazz to a basic medicine cabinet. Take a cue from blogger Molly of Almost Makes Perfect, who spray-painted a simple plus sign onto this Ikea pick. It's a great weekend project if you're up for putting your DIY skills to the test.
Get the tutorial at Almost Makes Perfect
RELATED: 65 Useful and Easy Upcycling Ideas for Every Skill Level
Combine Storage Solutions
This townhouse bathroom may only be 6×8 feet, but it makes a big impact. To maximize space, Ashley of Sugar & Cloth installed two different types of storage—an open shelf for small decorative items and an enclosed cabinet for toiletries and towels.
If you've been eager to try the curved furniture trend, an arched wooden cabinet is the way to go. This metal pick is available in four colors and features two shelves, perfect for storing items like body washes and tissue.
Paint the Back of Shelves
To make the most of the shelves in this water closet, Lauren of Bless'er House chose to ditch the cabinet doors completely. She then painted the back of the shelves black for contrast.
A bold hue never fails to add personality to a space. Go for this deep green design, complete with a two-tiered cabinet as well as an open shelf for all of your daily toiletries. The fluted design is a nice touch, too.
Utilize Wicker Baskets
Mount three floating shelves above the toilet, then corral essentials— like makeup and toiletries—in wicker baskets to avoid a cluttered look. Layer in faux plants and other decorative items for a bit of style.
Arrange these rustic wood shelves to maximize space, even if that means two above the toilet and on the adjacent wall. Use the spacious shelves to display houseplants, knick-knacks, and extra hand towels. Plus, there's a metal basket for spare rolls of toilet paper.
RELATED: 25 Stylish Bathroom Shelf Ideas to Eliminate Clutter from Small Spaces
Weave in Japandi style with natural textures, like bamboo shelves and wicker baskets. This three-tier bamboo organizer looks chic and minimal, while providing plenty of space for toiletries, towels, and decor.
For extra storage, mount a medicine cabinet over the toilet. Use the shelf below for decor, like diffusers, and tuck personal care items (especially toothbrushes) behind closed doors to keep them further from bathroom humidity.
Hang an Acrylic Shelf
Keep it simple with a small acrylic shelf—a perfect landing place for candles, diffusers, and tiny houseplants. For added style, find a floating shelf with metallic accents that complement the bathroom hardware.
If you need a place to hang hand towels (plus store extras), install a tiered shelf with a towel bar. The top tier is great for a few toilet paper rolls, while the middle can hold beauty must-haves like hand lotions.
Embrace Wall-to-Wall Shelves
To create this minimalist look, you may need a table saw and sandpaper to ensure your shelves are the right length to fit from wall to wall. The end result is so worth it!
Not in the mood to mount anything and put holes in the wall? Try this metal shelving system that sits directly on the back of the toilet. There are two spacious shelves, which are great for bottles, cleaning products, and more.
Modern and minimal, this bamboo ladder shelf looks trendy leaned above the toilet (it can be mounted to the wall for stability). The bottom shelf is larger for storage baskets and spare towels, while the top two shelves are best for smaller toiletries and decorative items.
Weave in Shelves With Gold Brackets
For a touch of glamour, layer gold accents throughout the bathroom—starting with hardware and fixtures and ending with modern floating shelves above the toilet.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
SHOP GOLD SHELVES
Celebrate simple design with a chic glass shelving unit, ideal for displaying your most beautiful skincare products and essentials in glass bottles. If gold isn't your aesthetic, this one's available in silver and black, too.
Stick to a farmhouse look with this over-the-toilet organizer, complete with two cabinet doors meant to resemble barn doors. Inside, there are two large shelves for storage, plus a spacious shelf below.
RELATED: 30 Beautiful Rustic Bathroom Ideas for the Coziest Space Ever
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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