21 Bathroom Shelf Ideas That Make the Most of Your Space
Add storage without sacrificing valuable floor space.
It’s an age-old problem: You need to store certain essentials in your bathroom, but you don’t have quite enough space for everything you need to keep close at hand. That’s where these bathroom shelving ideas can come in handy. Whether you’re looking for bold ideas to incorporate into your upcoming renovation or need a simple and quick solution to your storage problem, there’s sure to be an idea here that inspires you.
In addition to finding creative shelving solutions, home pros also recommend decluttering your bathroom before installing anything new. Clearing out the items you don’t need can give you a better idea of how much stuff you really have and ultimately make it easier to decide which shelving solution works for you.
In addition to providing much-needed storage, designers note that bathroom shelves also offer a unique design opportunity. You can often use bathroom shelves as a home for plants, vintage jewelry trays, candles, bud vases, and other items that add a little personality to the space.
Ahead, check out the bathroom shelving ideas that blend style and function. If you’re looking for more bathroom design inspiration, read up on the top bathroom design trends of the year and the bathroom design mistakes experts want you to avoid.
Convert a Medicine Cabinet
Swap a built-in medicine cabinet for a pair of small wooden shelves that are cut perfectly to size. It's the perfect place to display a mix of daily essentials (think toothbrushes and tissues) and decor, like houseplants.
Display Decor on Glass Shelves
Fill a tiny alcove with small glass (or acrylic) shelves, then fill them with decor like faux plants, vases, woven bins and candles. To maximize floor space below, design firm Outline Interiors brings in a wicker hamper as to not skimp on style.
Float Wood Shelves Above the Tub
Not only do wood shelves add warm and texture to this serene bathroom, they're an ideal place to store extra towels — plus a few houseplants and glass jars filled with toiletries.
Bring in a Bookshelf
Rather than drill into these beautiful blue tile walls, opt for a lightweight bookshelf — like this arched wicker one. The four spacious shelves are great for storing folded towels, plus baskets for concealed storage.
Tuck Decorative Bins Below the Vanity
Here, Outline Interiors opts for a vanity with an open bottom shelf. Stylish bins and baskets house bathroom essentials, from extra rolls of toilet paper to haircare tools and toiletries.
RELATED: Genius Under-the-Sink Storage Ideas to Organize Your Cabinets
Go Simple With White Shelving
Sleek floating shelves blend seamlessly with the white bathroom walls in this minimal space. Stack toilet paper rolls in a pyramid to make spare rolls look intentional, then store toiletries in apothecary jars.
Opt for Over-the-Toilet Storage
Turn the boring space above a toilet into a stylish display by mounting two floating shelves. Take note from Living With Lolo and fill the surfaces with houseplants, artwork and playful knick-knacks.
Install Shower Shelves
This green tile walk-in shower by Outline Interiors is more useful with the addition of four marble shelves. Now, there's no need to soak the bathroom floor reaching for extra haircare products or a new towel.
Go Big With Built-Ins
On both sides of this clawfoot tub are oversized built-in shelves. You'll find baskets full of toiletries as well as plants for visual appeal. These shelves will maximize space in your linen closet, while also acting as a focal point.
Roll in a Bar Cart
Forget the booze: Stock a bar cart with baskets full of your bathroom necessities, especially your growing bath bomb collection.
Maximize Under-the-Sink Storage
Just because you go for a free-standing sink doesn't mean you have to compromise storage space. This rustic beauty offers ample room to store spare linens, beauty products or anything else pretty enough to be left on display.
RELATED: Creative Bathroom Storage Ideas to Make the Most of a Small Layout
Make the Most of Bath Trays
Bath trays can provide space for your must-haves, all while doubling as decor. When you're not soaking in the tub, use the caddy to display plants, books and any other small items you usually leave at the edge of the tub.
Carve Out a Tub Alcove
When remodeling your bathroom, ask your contractor to install an alcove shelf. The ledge is a functional area for storing bath essentials. And since it's already built-in, it won't take up any extra space.
RELATED: 45 Modern Bathroom Ideas to Help You Design a Personal Oasis
Install Built-in Wall Shelves
This inviting blue bathroom in Sulphur Springs, Texas, features built-in shelves near the sink for easy access to hand towels and other odds and ends. The shelves boast wooden bases to match the rustic elements of the space. Plus, they're covered in the same wallpaper as the rest of the space for a cohesive look.
Opt for a Single Ledge
This summery bath features a single floating ledge on the wall beside the tub. It's a functional way to display any paintings or small trinkets, like the driftwood boat and framed shell prints, seen here.
Hang an Above-the-Door Rack
Here's a friendly remember that step stools exist for a reason. Add a rack above your door to store items that you don't reach for daily, like extra linens.
Weave in a Vintage Element
In the Colorado bathroom of Margaret and Chris Shutze, you'll find a vintage element that's as practical as it is unique: a repurposed open display cabinet. The antique dresser also features glass shelves for storage.
Create a Nostalgic Display
When choosing where to install wall-mounted shelves, there are a few things to consider: Will you have easy access to your toiletries? Are the shelves only for display and will they take up space? In this case, the shelves were used to showcase beach-inspired accessories in an area that isn't the easiest to reach. However, the shelves don't overwhelm the space.
Install Shelving Around the Shower
Add built-in shelving to one (or both) sides of your en suite shower's entrance. Use it to store decorative objects, books and any shower essentials you may want to grab before heading in.
Consider Cabinet Shelves
Cabinets are renter-friendly ways to slide in extra storage space without needing any construction. This antique option has clear glass doors to show off clean towels and baskets. Plus, there are raised panel cabinet doors below for more space.
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.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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