Small bathroom storage ideas can create a luxurious bathroom from minimal square footage, meaning you no longer have to compromise by doing away with a bath or a separate shower.

A bathroom has many demands put upon it, not only to be a practical, user-friendly room but also a tranquil place to relax. With these smart bathrooms, you can keep your space looking stylish and store the essential items, too. 

Good bathroom storage are essential to making both these aspects of the room work. However, limited or awkward-shaped spaces can create a challenge when it comes picking the best small bathrooms for your home.

But, 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. 

 By Jennifer Ebert 

‘Keep the furniture wall-hung to create a sense of space and give a sleek, ‘floating’ look,’ says interior designer, Deana Ashby. 

‘Although hidden storage is practical, don’t be tempted to shut everything away. Instead use a combination of slim projection cabinets and shelving to provide plenty of storage but without enclosing the space.’

Wall-hung sanitaryware and furniture will leave the bathroom floor visible to create the impression of a large bathroom. Plus they make cleaning much easier.

Avoid furniture with deep drawers or cupboards in a small bathroom.

‘At face value, a large under-basin cupboard may look like it offers heaps of storage –space, but often waste a lot of space if the shelves are too far apart because most cosmetics and toiletries are quite small,’ says Deana Ashby. 

‘Narrow-depth drawers or more shelves – installed closer together 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.’

Bespoke furniture is an ideal solution in any room, but particularly in a bathroom where space is usually 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,’ explains Susan Cunningham. 

‘This is particularly useful in a home where there is a “quirky” corner or slanted ceiling, which make off-the-peg furniture an impractical option,' adds Deana. '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. For example, walnut is less expensive than macassar; Carrera White marble is less expensive than Statuarietto. There is usually a more affordable version if you know where to look.’

‘I would recommend a third of the budget goes towards storage,’ advises interior designer, Monita Cheung. 

‘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.’

‘Large bathroom vanity units fitted underneath the basin with an additional internal drawer always helps to hide the daily clutter. 

'There are many different bathroom vanities that will create ample storage. For example, a jumbo drawer base unit provides storage for large towels and tall bottles, while a sleek mirror cabinet can be used to hide the electric toothbrush/shaver, keeping surfaces clear. 

'If there’s money left, a tall storage unit is always handy, especially if it can be semi-recessed into a stud wall to provide really deep storage but with a sleek exterior.’

A trolley or side table 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.

Face towels and soaps can float around in your bathroom, so make the most of their pretty packaging and tactile qualities by showing them off in stylish glass containers. 

These jars are invaluable for storing odds and ends and make it easy to see what’s there. Vary the scale and design of the container to make a more interesting bathroom countertop display and keep it all in order on a tray. 

Many people shy away from classic styles as they assume that they can crowd a room and can be too oppressive, but this isn’t the case. 

‘By using light bathroom color schemes and embracing traditional fittings such as an Art Deco style, you can achieve a period look in your bathroom, despite its small size,’ says Dan Cook, designer, CP Hart. 

Don’t shy away from making a big statement in a small bathroom. Striking furniture will make an impact and hard-working pieces that conceal storage or double up on function will maximize your home’s efficiency. 

Natalia Miyar, design director at Helen Green, suggests a bold approach. 

‘Proportion is so important. I like to use large-scale furniture as it makes a space seem bigger and more luxurious,’ she says. ‘The key is to choose carefully. Buy a few large, impactful pieces rather than cluttering a space with a lot of small items.’ 

Bespoke or standalone shelving is a simple way of creating storage, as well as acting as a room divider. Open bathroom shelves can also inject a sense of spaciousness in compact spaces. 

Smart bathrooms can give the impression of more space. Look for smaller than standard baths, swap a full-size basin for a compact cloakroom or powder room version, opt for a corner WC and a bathroom shower over the bath. 

Wall-hung fittings that expose more floor area will make the room seem bigger and will be easier to clean too. 

Family bathrooms need to store a lot of stuff, and there’s really no such thing as too much storage here. 

Shelves can look good if they are kept tidy, but to hide clutter, cabinets with doors are a better bet.

And never underestimate the designers’ favorite bathroom storage tip: a light, bright decorating scheme and decent bathroom lighting never fail to enhance the sense of space.

Plan ahead during the bathroom build, and create built-in wall recesses that are perfect for storing essential toiletries and displaying pretty trinkets. These recesses keep the room streamlined by eliminating the need for traditional bathroom shelves.

Move your storage demands beyond purely practical with stylish freestanding pieces that offer the opportunity to introduce personality and character. 

This simple industrial style unit – Neptune’s Carter Collection is similar – provides space to stash textiles and toiletries in considered displays. Be sure not to overfill. Giving decorative items room to breathe will draw attention to them in a way that would be lost in a cluttered arrangement.

Shown here is Woodblock Mono wallpaper in Knightsbridge with bath in Marigold 209 from Little Greene.