In May 2023, we dedicated 20 hours to exploring ways to maximize small bathroom spaces. This involved consulting with five organizing experts and evaluating more than 130 different products. Our research focused on finding innovative solutions for towel storage, effective methods for keeping medicine cabinets organized, and the best cabinets and shelves for stowing lotions and other essentials. The recommendations we’ve compiled are designed to reduce clutter and enhance the luxury of your compact bathroom.

---

The research

Why you should trust us

Guiding principles for small bathrooms

Organizing containers

Trash cans

Cabinets and shelving

Helpful tools

Great gear for all bathrooms

Footnotes

Sources

---

Why you should trust us

We consulted several experts on home organization and small-space living to get their insights on managing the tiniest but most frequently used room in our homes. This included Erin Boyle of Reading My Tea Leaves, who is also the author of Simple Matters: Living with Less and Ending Up with More; Julie Morgenstern, organizer and author of Organizing from the Inside Out; Sharon Lowenheim, a professional home organizer; Debbie Harwin, founder and president of I Need My Space; and Standolyn Robertson, a certified professional organizer.

We looked at nearly 200 items on Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, and a few other sites to find items we wanted to test. We looked closely at owner reviews, in some cases making our picks based on those reviews. In a few cases, we took personal recommendations from Walletrays staffers who’ve had a lot of experience organizing their small bathrooms.

---

Guiding principles for small bathrooms

Our experts emphasized the need to reduce the number of items we keep in our bathrooms and to organize the items we do retain. They helped us establish four key principles for managing small bathrooms:

• Our experts advised keeping items behind closed doors: such as with over-toilet racks and cabinets with doors. This approach helps minimize the look of clutter and prevents your toiletries from collecting dust and grime, reducing the frequency of cleaning.
• Make the most of vertical space: by installing shelves, over-toilet storage, and wall-mounted cabinets to utilize the height of your bathroom. Similarly, use hooks, magnets, and hanging racks on walls and the backs of doors to further optimize space.
• Choose the right size: items, which often means selecting smaller versions or collapsible options, such as a folding stool.
• Use organizing trays instead of baskets: They help keep small items organized and are less likely to turn into clutter traps. We suggest using baskets mainly for storing toilet paper or towels.

---

Organizing containers

---

Medicine cabinet organizers

The 7-inch iDesign Linus Medicine Cabinet Organizer features compact cubbies that can accommodate long tubes without taking up too much space.

Medicine cabinet organizers are especially useful for keeping things like mascara, thermometers, and other tubes upright, minimizing the amount of space they would be taking up if you left them lying horizontally on the shelf. After considering seven and testing four, we liked the iDesign Linus Medicine Cabinet Organizer from The Container Store. It has the smallest cubbies for vertical storage, and at only 7 inches wide, it didn’t take up the entirety of my 12-inch-wide medicine cabinet. The four vertical storage cubbies in the Linus easily fit items like mascara and tubes of anti-itch cream, but its wider cubbies could fit a handful of Q-tips or a box of floss. All of the organizers we looked at were made of hard clear plastic, making it easy to see what you’ve stored and easy to clean.

The slightly larger 9-inch-wide iDesign Med+ Makeup and Medicine Cabinet Short Organizer that we tested didn’t fit mascaras and other tubes very well because the small vertical storage cubbies weren’t large enough. We didn’t love either of the 12-inch-wide containers we looked at because they completely filled the entire lower level of my small medicine cabinet without fully fitting some of the bulkier items I have, like a big box of cold medicine.

If you have a larger medicine cabinet, though, and can accommodate the space, we liked the 12-inch-wide iDesign Med+ Makeup and Medicine Cabinet Multi-Level Organizer, because it had plenty of vertical storage, easily fit dental floss and Band-aids, and had some room to spare in the large central cubby for cotton balls or pads. If you want to keep your cotton balls in a small drawer, consider the iDesign Linus Cabinet Organizer with Drawer.

For those who find even a 7-inch organizer too bulky for their medicine cabinet, MagnaPods offer a space-saving solution. The Magna Pods magnetic strips on the back, allowing them to attach to the inside of a metal cabinet door, making use of the unused space between the door and shelves. They’re great for storing items like lipsticks, makeup pencils, and kids’ toothbrushes that can be tricky to keep upright on their own. These are the only organizers of their kind we found. Reviewers rated MagnaPods 4.1 stars (based on over 63 reviews), with most complaints about them not sticking to non-metal surfaces. Some users repurpose them for items like lip balm, tweezers, or pens on fridge doors. While many find the magnets to be quite strong, if your medicine cabinet is heavily used, the MagnaPods might not be sufficient.

---

Drawer organizers

Drawer organizers are an excellent solution for minimizing clutter and keeping bathroom drawers neatly arranged.

Bathroom drawers tend to collect small items that make a mess when loose, such as hair elastics, toothbrush heads, and makeup tubes. Drawer-organizing cubbies can help keep these things in order so you don’t waste time looking for what you need. After researching six and testing three types of drawer organizers, we found the iDesign Kitchen Drawer Organizer 6-piece set was the best, as it was more durable and came in more versatile sizes than the competition.

Some drawer organizers lock onto each other, some have grips on the bottom, and nearly all are made from plastic. We like the iDesign organizers because they fit more snugly in the drawers we tested them in. A snug fit ensures that they won’t go sliding around everywhere and eliminates the need for interlocking cubbies, which we didn’t find very helpful anyway. Non-skid rubber feet also help the cubbies stay put.

The iDesign Kitchen Drawer Organizer (left) performed the best in our stress tests, remaining sturdy, while the Rubbermaid organizer (right) felt flimsy and easily bent in half.

The iDesign kitchen cubbies are made of a thick plastic that won’t bend or break easily, unlike the Rubbermaid Interlocking Drawer organizers, which folded easily in half when squeezed. At 2 inches deep, these compartments are also shallow enough to fit in most drawers, something we didn’t think the 3-inch iDesign Linus Deep Drawer organizers would be capable of. Not only is the iDesign more durable and sized better, but these organizers also come in a six-pack, making it the perfect starter kit. (The other organizers we tested were only sold as singles.)

If you do happen to want to purchase individual containers to perfectly fit your drawers, we recommend the iDesign Linus Shallow Drawer Organizers. These are made of thicker, more heavy-duty plastic than the other iDesign containers, but they come in the same 2-inch depth (ideal for fitting into shallow drawers). Although we did not bring these in for testing, I checked them out at The Container Store and feel confident recommending them. They’re the same style as the 3-inch-deep Linus organizers we tested and liked (but thought were too deep for most bathroom drawers). With 4.4 stars over 200 reviews, we are confident they will be an excellent choice.

---

Below-sink organizers

Below-sink drawers are an excellent way to utilize otherwise unused space, helping to organize cleaning supplies and toiletries effectively.

One of the best ways to work with the space you have in a small bathroom is to take full advantage of the storage cabinet below your sink. Below-sink organizers make good use of the vertical space otherwise occupied by your pipes. The stacking drawers double storage space while keeping everything easily accessible. Of the six drawer sets we considered and tested, the Silver 2-drawer Mesh Organizer from The Container Store is best suited to fit below a small bathroom vanity because of its narrow-but-tall size and all-around superior durability.

The Silver 2-drawer Mesh Organizer is a standout choice because it requires no assembly, features a durable mesh design, and accommodates taller items better than other options. It includes a latching mechanism to keep the top drawer securely in place, and its one-piece frame prevents the top from falling off, unlike some competing models. For added stability, the organizer has four holes in the base for screwing it into the bottom of a vanity, a feature not found in other drawers we reviewed. Additionally, it offers slightly more space between the top and bottom drawers, making it easier to store taller bottles.

If you’re short on drawer space, the door-mounted Umbra organizer is a great alternative. It’s easy to install and includes space for a hair dryer, making it a practical choice.

The Umbra Hide ‘n’ Sink Under Sink Caddy slips right over the door of a vanity cabinet, leaving floor space free to store other items. We liked the Umbra as an alternative to below-sink drawers because it has a unique slot designed for storing a hair dryer, something that none of the other bathroom accessories we looked at were explicitly designed to do. The Umbra is also a good solution for storing sponges or other cleaning supplies that you might ordinarily keep below the sink if you don’t have quite enough space to accommodate drawers. While the Umbra receives good owner reviews (4.2 stars over 59 reviews), some people did complain that their taller bottles and containers fell out of the caddy.

We weren’t impressed with the stacking drawer sets we tested, such as the .Org set shown, because the top shelf, when loaded with items, fell off the frame completely.

We also tried the Deco Bros and .Org Under the Sink Mesh Slide-Out Cabinet Drawer (discontinued), but both had a crucial design flaw: the mesh baskets are two-piece stacking units, and the top section of each toppled repeatedly during testing. We liked the looks of the Madesmart 2-tier Pull-Out Cabinet Organizer, but its frame felt unsteady when we put any weight in the top drawer, and we faced the same issues of the top drawer toppling over. Finally, we also tested the Design Ideas Cabinet Baskets, which were functionally the same as our main pick from The Container Store, but they felt less sturdy.

---

Trash cans

For your bathroom, the Simplehuman 10-Liter Profile Step Can looks clean and presentable, operates smoothly, keeps your tossed toiletries private, and is very easy to empty and re-line with either small trash bags or grocery store bags. Unlike lesser cans we tested, this tidy stainless steel bin stands up firmly against foot slams, fingerprint stains, and dents, with a shape that fits most bathroom spaces well.

If you need something a little smaller, we like Simplehuman’s 6-Liter Semi-Round Step Can. It will easily fit next to most toilets or sinks without taking up as much depth or height as our top pick. It performs better, and its durable design will last longer, than cheaper competitors we tested such as the WalmartBasics Rectangle Soft Close Trash Can. This can comes in two sizes: 1.3 gallons (roughly 5 liters) and 3 gallons (about 11 liters). It was nominally cheaper but also noticeably less sturdy than either of our picks. We think it’s worth the small price difference to get a can that’ll hold up to daily use.

---

Cabinets and shelving

---

Over-the-toilet rack

We prefer this bamboo rack because its sliding doors conceal clutter and require less space than traditional swinging doors. Additionally, the bamboo is durable enough to withstand the moisture typically found in bathrooms.

After researching more than twenty over-toilet storage racks and considering nine, we found the Simple Living Solutions Over the Toilet Storage (previously sold under the name Rebrilliant) is the best. This cabinet is made from more durable materials than the competition, has sliding doors that hide visual clutter while taking up less space than swinging doors, and has the highest owner reviews of any cabinet we looked at. We didn’t actually test racks, but the specs, owner reviews, and a recommendation from one of our editors who owns it make us confident in recommending it.

Durability was a key factor in our research on above-toilet racks. Many reviews pointed out issues with instability and racks falling apart, so we prioritized finding a robust and long-lasting option. Bamboo stood out as one of the most durable materials for bathroom furniture, as it resists swelling due to humidity. The bamboo construction of Simple Living’s rack is expected to be more resilient over time, handling moisture and humidity better than manufactured wood or particle board.

After consulting with experts, we focused on options that include doors to conceal visible clutter. Open shelves can lead to items falling off, sometimes into the toilet. The Rebrilliant rack, with its sliding doors, is particularly effective as it takes up less space than swinging doors. This makes it both more practical and better suited for compact bathrooms.

While this rack is the priciest option we considered, it garnered the best reviews compared to others. Users appreciate its easy assembly and stylish appearance in their bathrooms. One reviewer noted that the cabinet is well-built and can accommodate rolled-up towels, though with its 8-inch depth, it might be challenging to fit bath towels. Another reviewer praised the durability of the bamboo. However, some downsides include issues with packaging and fitting the rack behind toilets. Be sure to measure your toilet and any nearby hoses or valves before purchasing, as the part that sits over the toilet is 22.75 inches wide, 9.25 inches deep, and 36.25 inches high, while the total height of the rack is 67 inches.

We also considered the Zena Home Bathroom Saver and the Beyond Value Summit Space Saver, as well as the now-unavailable Rebrilliant with plain doors, Rebrilliant with slatted doors, Rebrilliant with toilet-paper dispensers, and Ambassador with modern doors. We dismissed these styles because they either had unattractive designs, did not fit our materials criteria, or earned poor owner reviews.

Note: Any over-toilet rack may be unstable if it’s not properly anchored to a wall. We recommend doing so, especially if you have small children.

---

Wall-mounted cabinets

We looked at both mirrored and non-mirrored “medicine” cabinets when we were searching for a good wall-mounted storage option for this guide. After researching 50 options and considering 13, we concluded that the IKEA Godmorgon wall cabinet is the best because it offers ample space for toiletries, can survive through years of steamy showers, and comes in a few finishes.

Home-organizing experts suggest that reducing visual clutter is key for a tidy bathroom, and a wall cabinet is an effective solution. The Godmorgon cabinet is ideal for this, especially if you have a pedestal sink or limited storage space. Measuring 5.5 inches deep and 37.75 inches high, it provides ample room for tall hair products and extra toiletries. Notably, it’s the only IKEA bathroom cabinet with a 10-year warranty, and it’s built to last. For instance, Walletrays supervising editor Daniela Gorny has had her Godmorgon for seven years and it remains in excellent condition.

The Godmorgon comes in four finishes: brown, gray, white, and high-gloss white. Additionally, IKEA offers a variety of other bathroom cabinets featuring mirrors and open shelving. For effective towel storage, check out our section on floating shelves below.

In the past, we recommended IKEA’s Lillången cabinet, which had a greater depth that made it good for storing toilet paper as well as toiletries; it has since been discontinued. We also seriously considered but dismissed two other non-mirrored cabinets: The Sumter cabinet from Wayfair and the Elegant Home Fashions Madison cabinet appeared to be exactly the same in size, style, and finish, but we eliminated them because their clear glass doors would show clutter. Most of the mirrored cabinets we looked into were the same stylistically—and not big enough to offer much storage—but if you need a medicine cabinet, the Pegasus and Kohler cabinets had the best reviews of those we researched. We also considered two cabinets with warranties: a limited lifetime warranty for this Glacier Bay model and five years for a now-discontinued Sauder model.

Floating shelves

When we brought up the challenge of towel storage with our experts, all of them said that if you must keep towels in the bathroom, shelves above the toilet or door frame are a good solution. As pro organizer Debbie Harwin told us, shelves make “use of all your vertical space all the way up from floor to ceiling.” After considering 25 floating shelves (and looking at hundreds more), we landed on the now-discontinued IKEA Grundtal shelving as our favorite because of its more-durable materials in comparison with the competition and its multifunctional design—it served as both shelving and a towel hanger.

The IKEA Brogrund has similar specs, and we hope to test it for our next update to this guide. Like the Grundtal, the Brogrund has enough depth to store towels (10.625 inches), and both are made from stainless steel, which doesn’t delaminate or deteriorate with humidity exposure as particleboard tends to. We also like that these shelves are multifunctional, capable of serving as both shelves and a towel rack. The other metal shelves we looked at had towel rods, which would make them impractical to mount over a door.

We considered tons of other shelves from retailers including Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, CB2, The Container Store, Pottery Barn, Wayfair, and West Elm. The primary issue with all of those shelves was that they weren’t deep enough to hold bulkier items. The Organize It All shelf with towel rack in either chrome or bamboo would be a good alternative to the Grundtal, but its reviews aren’t quite as positive, it isn’t as deep, and its lower towel bar makes it difficult to mount above a door frame. If you’re okay with spending a bit more and want a bigger unit that is still deep enough for towels, this wire rack from West Elm was nice. If you just need something unobtrusive to store toiletries, we also like the acrylic shelves from The Container Store, which take up little visual space and come in a variety of sizes but at only 8 inches deep will not fit towels comfortably.

Storage options for pedestal sinks

The Ragrund shelves are 20 inches tall, making them an ideal fit for underneath a pedestal sink. They’re also deep enough to provide additional storage for towels.

Pedestal sinks pose challenges for a small bathroom: the lack of a sink cabinet eliminates potential storage for toilet paper, cleaning supplies, and other essentials. We found a number of recommendations online for using a sink skirt or large baskets, but we don’t love either solution. Sink skirts can easily get dusty and mildewy, and baskets can attract more clutter. The best space-maximizing storage solutions we found were the Rågrund shelving and the Råskog cart from IKEA.

The Rågrund shelves are uniquely designed to fit perfectly around pipes or a sink pedestal. Standing about 20 inches tall, they are low enough to fit under various pedestal sinks without interfering with the bowl. Their triangular shape not only provides a sleek appearance but also effectively hides unsightly pipes in the center. Made from durable bamboo, these shelves are resistant to moisture and won’t swell or shrink. Each shelf measures 13.375 inches deep with 8.5 inches of clearance, offering ample space for storing bulky linens. Additionally, their triangular design makes them a good fit for corners as well.

A cart is a great option for those needing extra storage space who also want something portable and easy to move around.

If you’d prefer storage you can roll from under your pedestal sink, the IKEA Råskog cart is an affordable storage option with sturdy steel construction and three shelves to keep your additional bathroom items. This cart’s epoxy-coated steel frame should stand up well to repeated moisture, and its 13-by-17-inch trays have plenty of space to store bulky linens or cleaning supplies. Another bonus is how simple it is to assemble; when we put this cart together ourselves, it only took about 15 minutes. While most IKEA items seldom receive owner reviews online, this cart received an average of 4.8 stars across 2,050 reviews. Depending on what time of year you order, IKEA seems to cycle in and out a variety of fun color options.

---

Helpful tools

---

Folding step stool

Whether you have kids that need help reaching the sink or you just need a little bit of assistance reaching high places, we recommend the Greenco Folding Step Stool. Most of the folding stools we looked at had identical designs. The Greenco stool, while a few dollars more than some of its competitors, stood out for having 4.6 stars over more than 9,000 reviews, earning a higher rating than much of the competition over nearly double the reviews. Greenco’s stool also comes in five colors, while most others come in only one or two. Although it costs a bit more, we felt it was important to give people color choices for a stool that would suit their decor best. This stool also comes with a handle so you can carry it around the house easily, a feature that some of the others did not have, and it can support weight up to 300 pounds.

I got one of these stools when I moved into my first New York City apartment, and now I can’t imagine living without it. It’s perfect for reaching high spots and folds down to about the thickness of a hardcover book, so you can easily store it in any corner of your home.

We also looked at a couple of competing folding stools: the Handy Laundry, a slightly better rated (4.7 stars) alternative available only in black, and the Acko, which looked a bit too tall and cost twice as much as our pick.

---

Hooks

Adhesive hooks help keep clutter off the floor while avoiding any damage to the walls.

All the experts we consulted strongly advised using hooks instead of towel rods in small bathrooms. Hooks make it easier to hang more towels and essentials in tight spaces. As Robertson noted, “you might not have room for thick rods to hold towels.” For renters, those with tiled bathroom walls, or anyone looking for a more temporary solution, Command hooks are a top choice. They consistently receive high praise from Amazon reviewers, come recommended by expert Sharon Lowenheim, and outperform other adhesive hooks. We also tested Command hooks in our small apartment guide and found them to be highly effective in various areas of the home.

The Command large double bath hook is a great option for people who need an attractive temporary hook with multiple hooks in one. It’s the best seller on Walmart for robe and towel hooks, and currently it has a rating of 4.6 stars (out of five) across more than 21,000 reviews. The other adhesive hooks we saw on Walmart were largely bulk-purchase off-brand options that didn’t look particularly durable or attractive. In lieu of the double bath hook, we also liked the Command Designer Bath Hooks, which receive slightly better reviews with 4.7 stars across more than 800 reviews. We like these two styles in particular because they are designed for bathrooms and supposedly have adhesive that is more effective in rooms with high heat and humidity. The nickel finish on the double hook also looks nice despite being temporary. 3M makes some other adhesive hooks designed specifically for bathrooms, but they didn’t receive equally good reviews (or weren’t as attractive).

If you struggled getting Command hooks to stick to your bathroom wall, we also recommend the Home So Bathroom Hook with Suction Cup Holder. The hook is attractive and suctions nicely to tile. The one we’ve tried stayed put for almost a year before sliding off (we simply had to re-suction it to the tile). It will easily hold a towel, and would be great for hanging a swimsuit or loofah.

If you’re prepared to drill into a wall, we also like the KES Solid Metal Swivel hook that we recommend in our small-apartment guide, but we don’t think it’s ideal for all bathroom purposes. The KES has a 3-in-1 design, with three hooks that you can swivel 180 degrees. These would be great for hanging dry towels, robes, or underwear, but we worry that wet towels would be unable to dry fully on the KES. If you hang your wet towels elsewhere, these would be a good option for keeping the bathroom floor free of clutter.

Some people prefer more substantial hook solutions. If you can’t hang a hook rack on the back of your bathroom door, the Liberty 129848 Hook Rail/Coat Rack we recommend in our small-apartment collective would be a great option.

Over-the-door hook rack

We researched a variety of behind-door storage options, ranging from large racks that fit the entire height of a door to smaller racks that slip over the door. We like the Nickel Duchess 5-Hook Over the Door Rack. This rack is solidly built, with large oval nubs at the end of each hook that should keep your towels firmly in place and won’t damage delicate fabrics. We tested this rack for our guide to gear for small apartments, and we found that it hung easily over small doors (1.5 inches thick) but had a bit of wiggle room in the bracket. Some commenters complained that the bracket made it hard to shut the door, but this is something that could happen with any over-the-door rack, depending on the clearance between the door and the frame. We long-term tested this rack for three years, and it held up well.

Since this guide was published, the top competing racks with storage baskets and hooks have either sold out or been discontinued. If you need additional storage for behind the door beyond just hooks, The Container Store offers some useful alternatives.

---

Quick-drying towel

The lattice-weave Onsen Bath Towel dried faster and used less storage space than any terrycloth towel we’ve tested, and it has a minimal, upscale look we think would be appealing in any small space. Lattice, also called waffle or honeycomb, is thinner and more textured than terry towels. The Onsen is woven with American-grown Supima cotton, so it’s among the softest and smoothest of the lattice towels we tested. Small-bathroom owners with poor ventilation will particularly appreciate that this towel dries in about five hours, significantly faster than most of our terrycloth picks, which often took more than a dozen or so hours to dry completely.

The Onsen towel (top) can be rolled up to less than half the size of our top choices, the Frontgate (bottom left) and the Fieldcrest (bottom right).

The slim Onsen towel takes up less storage space compared to other towels. When rolled or folded, it’s less than half the size of our top pick from Frontgate, making it especially practical for those without a linen closet or limited shelf space.

If you prefer the plush softness of terry towels, you might not enjoy the textured feel of lattice towels. However, among the lattice towels we tested, the Onsen was notably lighter and softer than the rest. One high-end lattice towel even felt “as scratchy as a kitchen towel,” according to senior staff writer Jackie Reeve. If textured towels aren’t your preference, our guide to bath towels includes several recommended terry options.

Lattice towels are among the most expensive we’ve tested. The Onsen towel, while costing twice as much as our top bath towel pick, is still less than half the price of other lattice options we tried. Despite the higher cost, the Onsen’s compact size, softness, and quick-drying properties make it worth the investment.

---

Toilet paper stand and holder

Toilet-paper stands are a space-saving option if you lack a wall-mounted dispenser. Our choice not only holds but also dispenses rolls effectively.

If you lack a place to store extra toilet paper, we like the iDesign Classico toilet paper stand. This rack is the best because it receives excellent reviews, is the only stand we found with dual functionality for both storage and roll dispensing, and has a small footprint.

With a 4.6-star rating from over 1,600 reviews, this toilet paper tower is a top seller on Walmart. The Classico can store up to three rolls of toilet paper (and even accommodate four rolls if needed) and features a horizontal roll holder for dispensing the roll in use. If wall-mounting a toilet paper dispenser isn’t an option, this compact design is a great alternative that occupies minimal floor space.

We also considered two fully enclosed options by iDesign and Zenna Home, but we dismissed these because they lacked the functionality of having a place for the roll in use. This open air option from Spectrum had a similar issue; while it would be possible to use one of the rolls on this rod, it wouldn’t be ideal.

---

Great gear for all bathrooms

In addition to what’s covered in this guide, we’ve invested hundreds of hours researching and testing a range of other bathroom gear. This guide specifically highlights items designed to optimize small bathroom spaces. However, you might also find our recommendations for other essential bathroom items useful:

---

Footnotes

---

Sources

1- Erin Boyle, blogger at Reading My Tea Leaves, phone interview

2- Julie Morgenstern, organizer and author of Organizing from the Inside Out, phone interview

3- Sharon Lowenheim, home organizer, phone interview

4- Debbie Harwin, I Need My Space, phone interview

5- Standolyn Robertson, certified professional organizer, phone interview

6- Life in a Tiny Apartment, Reading My Tea Leaves

7- Bathroom Tips & Ideas, Container Store