Exposed shelving can double as a great bathroom organizer and decor space. The shelf situated behind the shower has three cubbies with a large wicker basket, a towel stack, and a circular dish with tissues, candles, and an oil diffuser. The cabinet on the bottom is great for storing items that aren’t as aesthetically pleasing, like soaps, cleaners, and toilet paper.
26 Clever Bathroom Organizer Ideas for Bathrooms Large and Small
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Published: May 16, 2023
Updated: November 25, 2023
The key to good bathroom organization is accessibility, design, and functionality. Within these designs are many clever bathroom organizer ideas that are utilized in a myriad of spaces. Not all bathrooms have closets. In that case, the designers have created brilliant cubbies. Not all bathrooms have storage below the vanity. Instead, various shelving units inspired by the design theme are hung all over the wall in specially assigned places.
Storage does not need to be boring. The sooner traditional bathroom items become part of the bathroom décor, the sooner you will adore the welcoming aura that can be felt in this necessary space. While perusing these photographs, find what can be replicated in your home and get organized!
02 of Garden Tub Surface Storage
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Garden tubs are known for having large surrounds made of tile. The subway tile with back grout depicted here has been intricately styled to display practical items that would be used for a warm bath. A black two-tiered serving stand that would typically be found in a kitchen is a great organizational hack for storing towels, soaps, and loofas.
03 of Center Vanity Cabinet With Exposed Shelving
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On this modern and warm vanity stands a cabinet in between two gold-framed sinks. The exposed glass cabinet displays traditional bathroom items which include soap and clean towels. To level up your organization even further, consider adding a few small baskets to the exposed shelves for your viewing pleasure.
04 of Wicker Storage Unit Bathroom Organizer Ideas
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This bright bathroom with a bold floral shower curtain is equipped with an over-the-toilet rattan bathroom storage unit. The cabinet doors provide a hideaway for less appealing items, but the top and bottom shelves are great for displaying items that expose your cheeky personality.
05 of Wire Caddy for Linens
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In addition to the wooden shelving that is over the toilet, a wire caddy is attached directly to the wall for additional organization space. Items are easy to grab when in a rush, and can easily be replaced for other items including cotton balls, lotions, or soaps. This bathroom organizer idea is great is a kid’s bath because it is sturdy and practical.
06 of Large Towel Basket Next to Built-in Tub
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Towel rods are not the only tool available for towel storage. If you’re looking for something a little cozier with greater organizational space, a fabric basket is a wonderful alternative. This large item stores more than four towels easily, and can be moved around the bathroom with flexibility.
07 of Built-in Shower Shelves
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Shower organizing can be tricky, but this built-in shower shelf is the perfect nook for soaps, razors, and even a little decor like this cactus plant. Built into marble tile, the white finish is a perfect contrast to the brushed black facet and knob.
08 of Standing Tree Shelf Bathroom Organizer
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Instead of a shelf that hangs on the wall, consider repurposing a wine rack to make a bold statement like the one shown here. The angled wood pieces are sturdy and visually interesting. Not only will this piece of furniture save you from the frustration of hanging a shelf, but it is also completely unique and works transitionally in many different design themes.
09 of Narrow Towel Storage
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The owners of this home got extremely creative in their bathroom renovation. Without wasting a single inch of space, the area behind their bathroom was converted into narrow towel storage with quick and easy access for their children. Bathroom organization requires a bit of ingenuity, but never underestimate the power of inches.
10 of Mirror With Accessible Shelving
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- jaimelyncarney
In a bathroom with limited wall space, consider hanging a mirror with a built-in shelf attached. The black metal frame supports one small shelf that holds hair products, candles, or an oil diffuser. The look is complete with a similar shelf that hangs over the toilet, and a white vanity with drawers, cabinets, and a bottom shelf for extra organization.
11 of Towel Hooks on Board and Batten Wall
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Near the shower are two black towel hooks that are attached to the top molding piece of the board and batten wall. In a bathroom such as this with gorgeous molding, coat, and towel hooks are more visually appealing than on painted walls. The black distressed shelving behind the shower is a great complement to the farmhouse theme around the room.
12 of Vanity Storage With Curtain
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A simple white vanity can easily be adapted to feature a patterned curtain instead of of a traditional cabinet door. With the help of a skinny curtain rod and a piece of fabric, the look of the vanity completely changes. Use this space for anything that you would rather not have displayed like cleaning supplies and soap.
13 of Exposed Towel Cubby
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Just behind the shower are narrow cubby shelves dedicated to towel organization. The bathroom does not have a linen closet, but these cubbies are a great replacement for showcasing the soft linens in your home. Better yet, they hardly use any space at all, leaving room for the vanity, toilet, and shower in a small bath.
14 of Nine-slot Shelf Bathroom Organizer
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Mimicking an old mail cubby, this nine-slot bathroom shelf is a unique way to display your favorite decorative bathroom items like plants, jars, and candles. Just below sits a porcelain bowl that organizes clean hand towels. This is a great idea for making sure linens are available for guests, and the mail cubby is a great attention grabber.
15 of Wire Baskets Above the Toilet
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Wire shelves are such a versatile organizing tool. Here, the shelves are attached to a distressed wood board with accompanying towel hooks that hang gently over the toilet. This is a great tool in a bathroom with a pedestal sink due to the lack of storage underneath.
16 of Decorative Basket on a Wooden Stool
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Short on shelving space in your bathroom? Baskets of all colors and textures are welcome, as they are a practical organizational method that can take any otherwise dull corner of your restroom and spruce it up while remaining functional.
17 of Hiding Traditional Wire Shelves
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The four large floating shelves featured in this closest aren’t actually floating shelves at all. Large pieces of wood are covering what is actually a wired shelving unit that traditionally is hung in a linen closet. This is an easy transformation that can make all the difference in your bath, especially if you’d like to remove the closet door and opt for exposed shelving.
18 of Large, Gray Extended Vanity
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Custom cabinets are a big win in homes that have ample corner space. Vanities are what you make them, and this gray piece boasts multiple drawers and large cabinets with the help of a corner wall creating an elongated and cohesive look.
19 of Traditional Towel Rod Bathroom Organizer Ideas
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Do not disregard the importance of a towel rod for bathroom organization. The most original way to incorporate color into your bathroom without changing the paint is with a colorful shower curtain and matching linens. The sage green towels shown here are the inspiration for the delicate leaf portrait on the wall above.
20 of Bright White Vanity Shelves for Bathroom Organization
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On a double vanity that has been converted into a single, this designer carefully curated an organizational space that is functional yet appealing. Where a second mirror and sink would traditionally belong, three white vanity shelves are decorated with black and white trinkets. Below sits a gold basket for additional storage, and the cabinets below offer endless ideas for cabinet organization.
21 of Utility Shelves on Wallpaper
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The utility shelves in this black and white, Fall-inspired bath display baskets for bathroom organization, but also fun little trinkets associated with the season. The look is so quaint on a white and black wallpapered wall. Bathroom organization doesn’t have to be dull with a little decor wrapped into it.
22 of Rustic Bathroom Bench Décor
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Not all decor is limited to shelf placement. If there is something that you love that needs to be placed closer to eye level, a rustic bench is a versatile surface that fits perfectly next to a vanity with a vessel sink or a bathtub. This bench stores a large potted plant, and a delicious white candle. It is coordinated well with another idea for bathroom organization referred to as the illustrious straw basket.
23 of Small Bath With Metal Shelving
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Storage in a small bath may require a little creativity, but anything is possible with unused wall space. Metal baskets hold traditional hygiene items available to guests at any time, and the toilet can be a great place for adding seasonal decor.
24 of DIY Stair Step Shelves
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If you’re in the mood for a DIY project, a set of old stairs functions perfectly as a homemade shelf. The two boards shown here were once part of a staircase, and with a little hardware, they make a very affordable option for bathroom organization. Items that work great here are towels, plants, and additional rolls of toilet paper.
25 of Collapsable Fabric Baskets
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A great way to maximize the limited space in a traditional linen or bathroom closet is by utilizing collapsible fabric baskets. They come in many different sizes, have user-friendly handles, and their shape of them allows for ample storage opportunities. In addition, the snuggly fit on a shelf in twos or threes, depending on the size, and are a great hack for storing towels and other linens.
26 of Distressed Decorative Shelving
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These distressed cottage shelves double as a station for decor in this farmhouse bath. The bottom shelf is used for folded towels, while the top shelf features delicate vintage trinkets including a bird cage with a candle, an old analog clock, and a faux wreath. This idea can easily be replicated with decorations that you enjoy to make the organizational spaces easier on the eyes.
