Prioritising your bathroom storage ideas is a must when you're renovating or designing a new bathroom. Without good storage, even the most expensive sanitaryware or tiles will fade into the background when surrounded by clutter.
And, while it can be easy to think you don't need that much storage, the reality is hygiene, beauty and bathing products can soon mount up, turning a spa-like sanctuary into a mess.
Add to this the potential of toys, towels and even toilet paper and it quickly becomes clear why your bathroom storage ideas need to be well considered. We've rounded up 12 suggestions to help keep your new space neatly ordered.
Article continues below1. Double up on vanity combinations where space permits
More is more when it comes to most storage ideas – as long as they still enhance your overall bathroom ideas and don't dwarf the space. While this means your storage will need extra consideration in smaller bathrooms such as ensuites, if space is not a barrier, then doubling up will usually lead to successful results.
“Vanity units are a popular choice for bathroom storage, and you can maximise the available storage space by considering a double sink and vanity unit instead of choosing a single unit," recommends Mike Whitfield, luxury interior expert at Lusso.
"These not only offer more space for toiletries and towels, but also enhance convenience, especially in busy shared bathrooms. And, If you can, choose units with features such as drawers and shelves, as it helps to create a more organised space where everything has its designated place," he suggests. "This approach is a simple way to add a touch of understated luxury to your bathroom that is both stylish and practical.”
With over 10 years of experience in the luxury homeware sector, and nearly 20 years of experience in e-commerce and online sales, Mike Whitfield has worked on bathrooms of all sizes including large developments and hotels worldwide. He possesses a great eye for interior design and stays up-to-date with the latest trends.
2. Don't underestimate the value of a built-in niche
Although there will be a multitude of items you want to hide from view in your bathroom storage ideas, daily-use items generally need to be easy to access – particularly when showering.
The key to displaying items without them creating clutter? Think of making sure your walls are deep enough to include built in storage ideas such as recessed niches in shower enclosures.
“Effective bathroom storage does not need to rely exclusively on furniture. Some of the most practical and visually compelling solutions are built directly into the fabric of the room," says Adam Wollerton, design manager at BK Eleven.
"Recessed niches within shower enclosures, above baths or beside basins provide immediate access to everyday products without cluttering surfaces. The advantage of a niche is that it positions storage precisely where it is needed. In a shower, this avoids the need for hanging caddies or corner baskets that interrupt clean lines," he explains.
"Beside a bath, it keeps bath oils and candles contained without encroaching on ledges. In smaller bathrooms, these recessed elements preserve floor space and prevent the room from feeling crowded.
"From a design perspective, niches also offer an opportunity to introduce material contrast," he adds. "Lining a recess in a patterned tile, mosaic or a complementary tone can create depth and interest.
"Integrated LED bathroom lighting can further define the space," he continues, "adding subtle illumination that enhances both practicality and atmosphere. In loft conversion bathrooms with sloping ceilings, niches can also make productive use of otherwise awkward voids."
Adam's best advice for making sure your niches are useful and not just a space that gathers water? "The key is to plan them early. Wall depth, waterproofing, structural constraints and lighting routes all need to be considered at the design stage," he advises.
"When integrated thoughtfully, architectural storage feels seamless and purposeful, contributing to a bathroom that is organised without appearing over-furnished.”
As an alternative to a tiled niche, this recessed wall niche has a moveable shelf to accommodate different sized bottles or containers, and its sealed waterproof design makes it perfect for modern bathroom ideas.
Adam is bathroom design manager at BK Eleven, leading the creative direction of the studio’s bathrooms since joining in 2016. He is known for translating how clients live into practical layouts and material choices that endure beyond short-term trends.
3. Make sure your bathroom storage handles are up to the job
As one of the elements of your bathroom storage that receives a lot of daily contact, needs to be able to open doors, or take the weight of drawers, handles are not to be seen as an afterthought when finalising your bathroom storage ideas.
“Bathroom storage is often measured in litres and drawer depth, yet the element you interact with every day is the hardware," explains Gareth Hull, design lead at Hendel & Hendel. "Handles and knobs influence how storage performs in real terms. And, in a humid environment, materials, finish quality and ergonomics all matter.
"When specifying hardware for vanity units or tall cabinets, consider weight and frequency of use. A wide drawer filled with toiletries, hair tools and spare towels can become surprisingly heavy, so a longer pull provides better grip and leverage than a small knob," he says.
"In compact cloakrooms or small ensuites, however, a carefully proportioned knob with modest projection can prevent snagging in tighter walkways. The choice should respond to scale and layout, not simply aesthetics," he warns.
"Finish selection is equally important," he adds. "Bathrooms are high-moisture spaces, so quality plating and well-applied finishes are essential for longevity. Brushed nickel offers a softer alternative to polished chrome and pairs well with both contemporary and traditional brassware, while satin brass can introduce warmth without feeling overly ornate.
"Ultimately, well-chosen hardware elevates storage from something purely practical to something tactile and considered," says Gareth. "It reinforces the design intent and ensures that what you touch daily feels substantial, durable and aligned with the wider bathroom scheme."
Gareth Hull is the design lead at Hendel & Hendel, a leading UK hardware brand. He leads on the design direction for the brand’s collections and interior styling. With a background in product development and a keen eye for detail, Gareth's approach seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics and his work emphasises refined forms, elevated materials, and a balance between contemporary, traditional and transitional pieces.
4. Make sure your inserts are specified correctly
Although the external appearance of your bathroom storage ideas matters, it can all become a waste of space if you don't think about the organisation inside.
“Vanity units remain one of the most efficient ways to introduce structured storage into a bathroom, but their success depends on how carefully the internal layout has been planned," says Richard Eaton, design manager at Tissino.
"It is important to begin by assessing what you actually need to store. Everyday essentials such as toothbrushes, skincare and grooming tools require shallow, easily accessible space, whereas spare toiletries, cleaning products and bulk purchases demand greater depth.
"Drawers often provide better visibility and access than cupboards," he adds, "particularly in family bathrooms where multiple users need to find items quickly. Full-extension runners allow the entire drawer to be accessed without reaching into the back, and integrated dividers help prevent smaller products from shifting.
Cupboard sections, however, remain valuable for taller bottles or items that are less frequently used," notes Richard. "A combination of drawers and cupboards can therefore offer flexibility across different product sizes."
Shop these bathroom storage containers
Keep your make-up and beauty essentials neatly organised with this specialised drawer insert
For items you want on display, protect them in this pretty glass jar with lid
To keep items separate, use this slimline bathroom storage organiser with moveable pot and divider
Richard is senior design manager at Tissino and is responsible for designing many of Tissino's market-leading bathroom products. His speciality areas are showers, baths and heating, and he enjoys nothing more than developing products that people enjoy using on a daily basis, while making sure they look the part.
5. Use your storage to hide the practicalities of bathroom design
Boxing in pipework creates a sleek finish but this small bathroom takes this one step further. The tiered design adds additional spaces to place soaps and towels, while the mirrored cabinet above the sink doesn’t just hide away less pretty objects, it also reflects natural light – a trick that works wonders for making small spaces feel larger.
Another alternative is to choose vanity units that account for pipework in their design, but it can't be a last minute thought, warns Richard Eaton. "Poorly planned vanity units can sacrifice significant storage capacity to accommodate plumbing. Well-designed units factor this in from the outset, preserving usable internal space.
"Materials should be moisture resistant and easy to clean," he says, "with durable finishes that will withstand regular contact with water and condensation."
Alternatively, if you opted for a pedastal or wall-mounted sink and now want to hide this, you could buy a unit such as this Elsie Under Sink Vanity Unit from Dunelm. It slots over a pedestal sink and comes in a variety of colours, and features doors and internal shelves.
6. Design your bathroom storage while considering your layout
There are two main must-do items when choosing your bathroom storage ideas according to Mark Tones, founder of luxury bathroom brand Aquaroc, and they are to make sure you choose early and in accordance with the flow and layout of your space.
"Storage should be considered at the very beginning of a bathroom renovation project, not as an afterthought," says Mark. "The most successful schemes are those where storage is built into the layout from day one, ensuring it works with the room rather than fighting against it.
"One of the biggest bathroom design mistakes homeowners make is underestimating how much storage they actually need. It’s far easier to incorporate additional storage during the build phase than to retrofit solutions later.
"But balance is key," he warns. "Overloading a bathroom with cabinets can make it feel cramped. The goal is to create a calm, clutter-free environment where storage is discreet but effective. And this is why it's essential to think about how you move through the space," he explains. "Frequently used items should be within easy reach of the basin or shower, while less-used products can be stored higher up or in deeper drawers."
Mark Tones is the Founder & CEO of Aquaroc. He brings together thoughtful design, innovation, and sustainability to create luxury bathroom products. With a hands-on, design-led approach, he’s passionate about building high quality products that effortlessly elevate design, work seamlessly, and become a real centrepiece in bathrooms.
7. Small bathrooms will benefit from wall-mounted storage
Wall-hung vanity units are a bathroom storage staple for a reason, particularly if you are looking for bathroom storage ideas for understairs toilet ideas or guest bathrooms. As well as providing somewhere to hide spare handwash and toiletries, wall-hung units also sit clear off the floor for easy cleaning.
"Small wall-hung vanity units create a sense of openness while still offering internal storage," advises Mark Tones, but just because the space is smaller it doesn't mean you should forget the fundamentals.
Regardless of the size of your bathroom, "remember to choose cabinetry specifically designed for bathroom use," says Mark. "Moisture-resistant materials and high-quality finishes are essential to prevent warping or swelling over time."
This wall mounted unit includes a sink and two handy storage drawers, giving you storage opportunities in even the tiniest of toilets. It also comes in other colour ways.
8. Take advantage of the space around your loo
For a modern finish, many homeowners choose to include wall-hung toilets when selecting sanitaryware for the bathroom. But, this doesn't have to mean you mount it directly to the wall.
Instead, as with this bathroom storage idea, build out the wall (if space permits) half way up to create a bathroom shelf that runs around the perimeter of the room. Then, as part of your bathroom furniture, include a toilet and storage unit that mount to the wall.
Perfect for hiding toilet rolls and cleaning products, it's a great way of ensuring you don't make the bathroom layout mistake of wasting space.
9. Select bathroom storage ideas that match your decor
While we're always keen to see what bathroom trends will feature in our homes each year, it's important to stay true to your personal preferences when choosing your bathroom finishes, not least of all to avoid bathroom renovation costs escalating as a result of poor purchasing choices.
This means if you prefer traditional bathroom ideas over more modern styles, make sure you choose bathroom storage that matches this aesthetic. While you can mix and match styles for a more eclectic look, if you don't feel confident enough to do this, using a like-for-like approach will rarely let you down.
It's perfectly demonstrated in this idea where a dresser-style vanity unit matches the with the cottage-core feel of this bathroom, with its simple bathroom wall panelling and stone effect bathroom floor tiles.
10. Include hidden bathroom storage ideas
While some bathroom products may be perfectly suited to taking centre stage on your bathroom shelves, there are some items you will be happy to hide out of sight in your bathroom.
Cleaning products for example can be big and often bulky, but nonetheless necessary to have to hand, which is where using hidden storage tricks, such as this Side Front Storage Bath Panel from Amazon can come in handy.
In order to include something similar, make sure you choose a back-to-wall bath when selecting which type of bath you want. And, if your cleaning products already have a home elsewhere, using a panel like this could also provide alternative storage for bath toys in family bathroom ideas.
11. Use architectural features for additional bathroom storage
In older properties alcoves and recesses can be the bane when renovating a Victorian house, but in this bathroom storage idea, the owners have turned it to their advantage instead.
By carving out a central section, repointing and leaving the brick work exposed, then adding wooden shelving as bathroom storage, it transforms a simple wall into a feature wall with benefits.
It's also an idea you can adopt in other rooms by following the advice offered in this guide to turning a chimney breast into a bookcase.
12. Conceal storage behind all essential bathroom mirrors
If your bathroom has a less generous floor plan, or you like to have items close to hand, make sure you buy well when selecting bathroom fittings such as mirrors. Each purchase you make should be considered based on the item having multiple benefits, rather than a single purpose.
As an example, bathroom mirrors with lights can often include cabinets too, giving you lights, a mirror and storage in one. Alternatively, think vertically and opt for a larger wall-hung mirror with in-built storage. As well as having handy shelves, the larger mirrored surface will help reflect more light around your bathroom too.
Of course, space will really matter when you consider your bathroom storage ideas, so find out how to make the most of it with these narrow bathroom ideas. And if you're remodelling, rather than looking at a new bathroom in a self-build, take note of these small bathroom remodelling tips.
