Bathroom storage ideas are essential to making the bathroom work for you. A bathroom has many demands put upon it, not only to be a practical, user-friendly room but also as a tranquil place to relax. 

Limited or awkward-shaped space can create a challenge when it comes to making the best of any bathroom. However, the items that need storage, like bulky towels and numerous toiletries, can also add to the decorative look of the bathroom, so it's worth thinking about how you can show them off to their best advantage.

Have a good look at your bathroom and see if there are any unused corners or, more likely, wall space that could be incorporated into a storage idea. 

It might be that you can clear out an old cupboard or replace it with one larger console or a one-off vintage piece. The trick is to add to what is already there without cluttering the main room. 

With these smart bathroom ideas, you can keep your space looking stylish and store the essential items, too.

By Jennifer Ebert

First port of call, especially if you're looking for small bathroom storage space, would always be a good mirrored bathroom cabinet. 

Not only is it useful for those smaller everyday items, good cabinets are full of loads of extras to help you stay organized, such as internal drawers and compartments and even magnetic strips to hold your tweezers and scissors.

Keep the furniture wall hung to create a sense of space and give a sleek, ‘floating’ look. Although hidden storage is practical, don’t be tempted to shut everything away. 

Instead use a combination of slim projection cabinets and bathroom shelves to provide plenty of storage but without enclosing the space.

At face value, a large under-basin cupboard may look like it offers heaps of storage space. But often a lot of space is wasted if the shelves are too far apart because most cosmetics and toiletries are quite small.

A smart bathroom storage tip is to install narrow depth drawers or more shelves closer together, as this will give maximum storage potential and make it easier to see everything at a glance rather than rooting around in the back of the cupboard.

If you invest well, furniture can easily become the main focal point. A key piece in every bathroom is a basin, therefore incorporating under-counter furniture is essential.

Good bathroom storage is essential for any bathroom, no matter the size or layout. Clutter is not conducive to a well-ordered environment, which is one of the key reasons why bathroom vanities have become such an important design feature.

‘When designing a bathroom vanity consider a large vanity unit underneath the basin with an additional internal drawer always helps to hide the daily clutter,’ advises Lisa Persse, director of Porter.

It’s ideal in any room, but particularly in a bathroom where space is at a premium. In short, you will maximize storage by being able to manufacture furniture that makes the most of every niche, nook and cranny. 

This is particularly useful in a home where there is a ‘quirky’ corner or slanted ceilings, which make off-the-peg furniture an impractical option. You can also choose the finishes, internal features such as partitioned leather-lined drawers, handles and even the hinge design. 

Generally bespoke storage can be more expensive, and can involve lead times up to 12 weeks depending on the manufacturer’s order book. But you can save by selecting less expensive materials and keeping the design simple.

When there are so many beautiful and creatively-designed bathroom vanities available today, opting for a standalone basin is nothing short of madness. 

'It's now possible to source a vanity unit to suit bathrooms of all shapes and sizes, all tastes and budgets. There's really no excuse not to enjoy the beauty and convenience that a vanity unit affords,' says Mark Walker of Bagno Design. 

A cabinet-style vanity consisting of cupboards, open-shelves, or drawers, or a combination of all three, will help maintain order in your bathroom. 

'As well as providing essential storage, exactly where it is needed most, it will also hide any unsightly pipework for a neat, professional finish,' adds Mark. 

If space allows, take inspiration from the kitchen by including an island-style unit in your bathroom. Albeit unusual, this bathroom provides ample space for toiletries, towels and other paraphernalia, negating the need for bulky wall cabinets. 

A trolley or table on wheels with a shelf underneath is a simple but effective way to gain extra storage. 

Find a basket or box to fit underneath to keep hand towels or body brushes in order and use the top of the table to keep more immediate toiletries to hand. The best thing is that it can be moved to wherever it is needed or pushed against a wall out of the way. 

Customize your own furniture to suit the coloring and furnishing of your bathroom with a decorative cupboard, excellent for storing toiletries. 

Its timeless look will fit in with most bathroom schemes and is equally good for storing smaller towels and products. 

Making use of otherwise wasted space is all about being inventive. 

While freestanding furniture has its uses for both storage and display, there is nothing more efficient than well-designed, fitted furniture. It allows you to squeeze every inch of use out of even the most unpromising corner, and in a most streamlined way. 

‘Furniture designed specifically for a room will look as if it has always been there,’ says furniture designer and maker Claire Darwent. 

Wall-hung furniture frees up floor space and creates more of a roomy feel, while its floating appearance also introduces a visual lightness. Here, a simple Inbani Strato drawer unit and shelf and Origin mirror cabinet provide storage in this Scandinavian-inspired design by L-Design Interior Architecture.

Custom-made furniture can be made to perfectly suit your space, whatever its size. This bespoke floor-standing vanity was designed by VSP Interiors to offer balanced proportions in a classic powder room setting. A combination of drawers and cupboards offer ample storage for extra towels, soap and spare toilet rolls.

In a larger bathroom or master bathroom, a double vanity set-up is useful so that partners don’t have to fight for space in the morning rush and so that individual toiletries are kept close to hand. In this room by Paloma Contreras Interior Design, twin vanities flank a focal point bath, creating a symmetrical design that is as elegant as it is practical.

‘All the hard surfaces of a bathroom can create quite a clinical feel, so we like to bring in fabric and color where we can to add softness and warmth,’ says interior designer Sarah Vanrenen of Vanrenen GW Designs. ‘Here, a pretty chintz curtain hangs from a scalloped frame, concealing plenty of bathroom storage.’

Pick accessories that work hard in keeping your bathroom organised. The WallStoris  range by Hansgrohe is a bar and modular accessory system including shelves, hooks, baskets, racks and plant pots designed to help keep your space tidy, while the Ieri towel warmer from Vogue UK allows you to stack, roll or hang your towels, so they are always warm, dry and handy.

To add warm character to a bathroom, consider upcycling a vintage chest. In this room by Pappas Miron Design, a mid-century piece found at an antique shop in Brooklyn is finished with a bespoke grey travertine top, creating an individual and imaginative look which also offers plenty of practical drawer storage.