Look, we need to talk about your bathroom situation. You know that awkward dance you do every morning, shuffling around bottles, knocking over toothbrushes, and playing Jenga with towels? Yeah, that one. I’ve been there, and honestly, it’s ridiculous how quickly bathrooms turn into chaos zones when you don’t have proper storage.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to blow your budget on fancy organizers or hire a contractor to solve these problems. I’ve spent the last few years testing out DIY storage hacks in my own tiny bathroom (seriously, it’s about the size of a closet), and I’m ready to share the solutions that actually work. These aren’t just Pinterest-pretty ideas that fall apart after a week – these are battle-tested storage solutions that’ll transform your bathroom from disaster zone to organized oasis.
Floating Corner Shelves
Let me start with my absolute favorite space-saver: floating corner shelves. Remember those awkward corner spaces in your bathroom that just sit there doing nothing? Total waste of prime real estate, right?
I installed my first set of floating corner shelves about three years ago, and honestly, I’m still kicking myself for not doing it sooner. The beauty of these shelves is that they maximize vertical space without making your bathroom feel cramped. You can stack them as high as you want, creating a tower of storage that keeps everything within arm’s reach.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Wood boards (I prefer pine or oak for durability)
- Corner brackets
- Wall anchors
- Level
- Drill
- Sandpaper
- Wood stain or paint
The installation process takes maybe an hour tops. Sand your boards smooth, apply your finish of choice, and mount those brackets into the wall studs. Pro tip: always use wall anchors if you can’t hit a stud – nobody wants their fancy face cream crashing down at 2 AM.
I use my corner shelves for everything from extra toilet paper rolls to decorative plants that somehow survive in bathroom humidity. The top shelf holds my rarely-used items (looking at you, fancy bath salts I never remember to use), while the lower shelves keep daily essentials within easy reach.
Over-the-Door Towel Rack Organizer
This one’s a game-changer for renters who can’t drill holes everywhere. Over-the-door organizers are basically the Swiss Army knives of bathroom storage, and they require zero commitment or wall damage.
I bought a basic metal over-the-door rack for about $20, but you can totally DIY one using wooden dowels and some rope if you’re feeling crafty. The store-bought version holds six towels easily, plus has hooks on the bottom for robes or loofahs.
What makes this hack brilliant? You’re using dead space – that area behind your door that literally serves no purpose otherwise. My setup holds:
- Guest towels on top
- Daily use towels in the middle
- Washcloths on the bottom hooks
- My bathrobe on the side hook
The best part: when guests come over, just close the door and boom – instant decluttering. It’s like having a secret storage compartment that nobody knows about.
Mason Jar Wall Storage
Okay, hear me out on this one. I know mason jars might seem overdone at this point (thanks, Pinterest), but they’re actually genius for bathroom organization. They’re waterproof, see-through, and surprisingly stylish when done right.
I mounted a wooden board to my wall and attached hose clamps to hold the jars. Total cost? About $15 for materials. Now I’ve got clear storage for cotton balls, Q-tips, hair ties, and bobby pins – all those little things that usually create drawer chaos.
Quick Installation Guide:
- Cut a wooden board to your desired length
- Attach hose clamps with screws (space them according to jar size)
- Slide mason jars into clamps
- Mount the board to your wall
- Fill with bathroom essentials
The transparency factor is huge here. No more digging through containers wondering where you put something – everything’s visible at a glance. Plus, the jars are easy to remove for cleaning, which, FYI, you should do monthly because bathroom dust is real and gross.
Ladder Shelf Storage
Who says ladders are just for climbing? An old wooden ladder can become the coolest storage solution your bathroom has ever seen. I found mine at a garage sale for $10, gave it a good sanding, and leaned it against my bathroom wall.
Each rung becomes a shelf for rolled towels, baskets of toiletries, or decorative elements. The slanted design means it takes up minimal floor space while providing maximum storage. I’ve got five rungs on mine, and here’s how I organize them:
- Top rung: Decorative plants
- Second rung: Fancy guest towels
- Third rung: Basket with extra toilet paper
- Fourth rung: Daily towels
- Bottom rung: Storage baskets for bath products
The ladder adds this rustic, spa-like vibe that makes my bathroom feel way more expensive than it actually is. Just make sure you secure it to the wall with a small hook at the top – safety first, people!
PVC Pipe Toothbrush Holder
This might be the cheapest hack on the list, but don’t let that fool you. PVC pipes make incredible organizers, and they cost practically nothing at the hardware store.
I created a wall-mounted toothbrush holder using different diameter PVC pipes cut to various lengths. The larger pipes hold toothbrushes and toothpaste, while smaller ones are perfect for makeup brushes or razors. A little spray paint transforms them from plumbing supplies to chic storage.
Here’s what makes this hack amazing:
- Completely customizable to your needs
- Easy to clean (just rinse with hot water)
- Costs under $10 to make
- Keeps counter space clear
- Each family member gets their own designated pipe
Mount them to a board first, then attach the board to your wall. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, mount them directly to the wall in a pattern. Mine looks like modern art, and visitors always ask where I bought it. The answer? Home Depot’s plumbing aisle 🙂
Magnetic Strip for Small Metal Items
Ever lose tweezers in the black hole of your bathroom drawer? Yeah, me too. Installing a magnetic strip on the inside of my medicine cabinet door changed everything.
This $5 solution keeps all my metal items organized and visible:
- Tweezers
- Nail clippers
- Bobby pins
- Small scissors
- Metal nail files
The strip takes literally five minutes to install with the adhesive backing. Just clean the surface, peel, stick, and you’re done. No more drawer diving or buying duplicate tweezers because you can’t find the three pairs you already own.
Also Read: 15 Modern Bathroom Mirror with Storage Ideas You’ll Love
Hanging Baskets on Hooks
Sometimes the simplest solutions work best. Hanging baskets give you instant storage without any permanent changes to your bathroom. I use S-hooks to hang wire baskets from my shower curtain rod, towel bars, and even cabinet handles.
Each basket serves a different purpose:
- Shower rod basket: Holds shampoo and conditioner bottles
- Towel bar basket: Stores hair styling tools
- Cabinet handle baskets: Keep cleaning supplies organized
The mobility factor is huge here. Need to deep clean? Just unhook the baskets and move them. Having guests? Relocate personal items to a bedroom closet temporarily. It’s storage that adapts to your needs.
Reclaimed Wooden Crate Shelves
Old wooden crates aren’t just for farmers’ markets anymore. Mount them on your bathroom wall, and suddenly you’ve got rustic shelving with built-in dividers. I found mine at an antique store, but you can often score them free from grocery stores or craft stores.
Sand them down, apply a protective sealant (bathroom humidity is no joke), and mount them horizontally or vertically depending on your space. The compartments naturally organize different items:
- Rolled washcloths in one section
- Toiletries in another
- Decorative elements in the third
Stack multiple crates for a modular storage system that grows with your needs. The wood adds warmth to typically cold bathroom surfaces, and the open design keeps things from feeling cramped.
Shower Caddy from Tension Rods
Forget those suction cup caddies that fall down constantly. Create a custom shower storage system using tension rods at different heights in your shower.
I installed two tension rods:
- Higher rod: Hangs a basket for shampoo bottles
- Lower rod: Holds hanging organizers for razors, loofahs, and soap
The rods adjust to fit any shower width, and you can add S-hooks to hang multiple items. No drilling, no permanent damage, and way more stable than those terrible suction cups that never actually suction.
Also Read: 15 Creative Bathroom Storage Solutions Ideas to Organize Fast
Under-Sink Pull-Out Drawers
That cabinet under your sink? It’s probably a disaster zone of cleaning supplies and random toiletries. Pull-out drawers transform this chaos into organized bliss.
I built mine using drawer slides from the hardware store and some basic wood pieces. Total investment: about $30. Now, instead of crawling on my hands and knees to find something in the back, everything slides out smoothly.
Organization Setup:
- Top drawer: Daily toiletries
- Middle drawer: Hair tools and products
- Bottom drawer: Cleaning supplies and extra toilet paper
The key is measuring your space correctly before building. Leave room for the plumbing, and use waterproof liner on the bottom of each drawer (because under-sink leaks happen).
Pegboard Wall Organizer
Pegboards aren’t just for garages anymore. A bathroom pegboard creates infinitely customizable storage that changes as your needs do.
Paint it to match your bathroom décor, then add:
- Hooks for hair tools
- Small baskets for products
- Shelves for decorative items
- Holders for cleaning supplies
The beauty is in the flexibility. Hate where something is? Move the hook. Need more basket storage? Add another one. It’s like having storage that evolves with you.
DIY Bathroom Vanity Trays
Vanity trays keep your countertop organized while looking Pinterest-worthy. I made mine from an old picture frame, decorative paper, and some cabinet pulls as handles.
Remove the glass from the frame, cover the backing with pretty paper or fabric, reinsert everything, and attach handles to the sides. Boom – custom vanity tray for under $10.
These trays corral all those bottles and tubes that usually scatter across your counter. Group similar items together:
- Tray 1: Daily skincare routine
- Tray 2: Makeup essentials
- Tray 3: Perfumes and colognes
Also Read: 15 Trendy Bathroom Wall Storage Ideas You Must Try
Hanging Mason Jar Herb/Toiletry Rack
Combine the mason jar trend with a hanging rack for double the storage power. Mount a wooden board with hooks underneath, then hang mason jars using wire or twine wrapped around the jar lips.
This setup works great for:
- Fresh herbs (yes, some thrive in bathroom humidity!)
- Cotton products
- Bath salts
- Small toiletries
The jars hang at different heights for visual interest, and you can easily remove them for refilling or cleaning. IMO, this adds a spa-like element that makes every shower feel a bit more luxurious.
Over-Toilet Cabinet with Open Shelves
That space above your toilet is prime vertical real estate going to waste. Build or buy an over-toilet shelf unit with open shelving for easy access and an airy feel.
My DIY version uses:
- Two vertical supports
- Three horizontal shelves
- Wood stain for finishing
- L-brackets for stability
Keep frequently used items on lower shelves and decorative or rarely-used items up high. The open design prevents the space from feeling cramped, which is crucial in small bathrooms.
Rope and Wooden Shelf Combo
For a nautical or rustic vibe, create shelves using wooden boards and thick rope. Drill holes in the corners of your boards, thread rope through, and tie knots underneath each shelf level.
This creates a hanging shelf system that’s both functional and decorative. The rope adds texture and visual interest while the shelves provide practical storage. I use mine for:
- Top shelf: Candles and air fresheners
- Middle shelf: Extra hand towels
- Bottom shelf: Frequently used products
Hang the entire system from ceiling hooks or a wall-mounted rod. The swaying motion might take getting used to, but it adds character that rigid shelves can’t match.
Making It All Work Together
Here’s the real secret: you don’t need to implement all 15 ideas. Pick the ones that solve your specific storage problems. My bathroom uses a combination of floating corner shelves, mason jar storage, and an over-door organizer, and that’s plenty.
Start with your biggest pain point. Can’t find counter space? Try the vanity trays or wall-mounted mason jars. Drowning in towels? The ladder shelf or over-door organizer will save you. The point is to create storage that works with your daily routine, not against it.
Remember, the best bathroom storage system is one you’ll actually maintain. There’s no point creating elaborate organization if you won’t keep up with it. Start small, see what works, and build from there. Your morning routine (and sanity) will thank you for it.
These DIY solutions have transformed my cramped bathroom into a space that actually functions well. No more knocking bottles into the sink or playing hide-and-seek with the nail clippers. Everything has a place, and more importantly, everything stays in its place. Now, excuse me while I go admire my perfectly organized bathroom shelves – again :/
