HELP - Small Bathroom Storage Idea

2 years ago

last modified: 2 years ago

I need more storage in my bathroom for small items like toilet paper, etc. My medicine cabinet opens and is perfect for makeup, etc. The medicine cabinet is 4" deep, so too small to hold a roll of toilet paper.

With only 900 square feet, I need to use every inch. The first picture is my bathroom right now after a complete renovation. I am a minimalist, so it is simple.

I think I have decided that open shelving above the toilet is not where I want to display anything because I don't want clutter.

The second photo is my art wall across from vanity. They would hang above 3 towel hooks.

The third photo is my inspiration idea. If I do a shallow depth shaker cabinet with doors that is 21"wide X 42" high X 6" deep above my toilet, will it look OK? Is 8" depth better?

The fourth photo with open shelving is what I thought I was going to do. But I think it will be too messy. I don't care if things are messy if the doors are closed.

MY BATHROOM NOW......

Featured Answer

weedyacres

2 years ago

In our last house I built a small cabinet into the wall that bumped out into a closet on the other side of the wall.

Here's alink to more details showing the construction.

Comments (17)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
2 years ago
I completely agree with your third photo idea for storage. Open storage is not advisable - I find that is purely decorative and not at all useful. One can never have too much storage, so go for the eight inch instead of the six inch. IMO I'm not keen on your art. Is it returnable or sellable? It doesn't show personality. There is no need to rush to get art. Take your time and find pieces that you love and pieces that reflect you. Plus the fact that the off-white in the art clashes with the bright white of your bathroom.
houssaon
2 years ago
You could also go into the stud area for more capacity.
Related Discussions
Please help with ideas for this small bathroom
Q
Comments (4)
Please post a layout drawing and picture of current space. Grayish wood-look tiles are already outdated. Better to pick a regular (not wood-look) tile for the floor.
...See More
Advice on Storage for Small Bathroom
Q
Comments (24)
Figure out what really needs to be stored in the bathroom and what can be moved to other areas of the house. The sink is not pictured but if the sink is a cabinet consider moving most storage under there and install pull out tiered shelving in cabinet to maximize space and make retrieval easier. A hand towel over the toilet gives me the heebie-jeebies yucky ! As noted in photos below move the light to above the mirror and have mirror same width as sink to feel more expansive. You could also do the whole space with a mirrored cabinet vs a mirror and cabinet so its one cohesive expanse doing a mirror and a cabinet may be choppy
...See More
Storage idea for small bathroom
Q
Comments (5)
I will ask my comtractor. He told me I had 12 inches width. If they can remove a 2x4 I could make this work. I was hoping to have more depth than 4 inches by coming out further but not sure if thats possible.
...See More
One hallway bathroom or two small private bathrooms
Q
Comments (12)
If they would each be the size of the standard 5x7 bath that used to serve as the only full bath in the house, and it has no negative affect on your budget to have another or negative effect on the bedroom size it would be fine to have two individual baths. If they would end up being cramped or shrinking the bedroom, maybe not. It's not so much that smaller bathrooms are that much more difficult to use, it's that they are a pain to clean. You could also do one ensuite and one hall access...and by the time the older one leaves the younger could move into that bedroom. I would not do a single Jack and Jill or the two sink thing. There are differing parenting styles too, and I know some parents more or less stay out of their teenage kids rooms, so it's possible that ensuite bathrooms in that situation would get really dirty. I once stayed overnight in a guest room last minute that was jack and jill with a kid's bedroom, (kid home) and they had me use the ensuite bathroom in a different kid's bedroom who was gone over that night or two. And the ensuite bathroom was not exactly filthy, but it was not clean or taken care of by a long shot. And they didn't know because they stayed out of their kid's rooms.
...See More
bpath
2 years ago
What do you need to find storage for, besides TP? Is there room under the sink for the TP?
PRO
Sorell Interiors
2 years ago
I do not like the idea of open shelves in the bathroom. Very unforgiving and useless, if you need storage especially. I would prefer not using a cabinet above the toilet if at all possible, but if it is a necessity then your choice isn't bad. I would try to utilize the vanity for storage as much as possible.
gina9775
Original Author
2 years ago
Thank you all. My vanity is only 33” wide so more storage is important. We took advantage of selling our primary home while the market is high for sellers and moved from 4500 ft.² to our cottage that is 900 ft.². This post confirmed closed storage, and not shelves, is the better solution.
Toronto Veterinarian
2 years ago
I have open shelves above the toilet and I hate it, but at least my rolls of toilet paper come individually wrapped in brightly coloured paper. I would say use the under-sink storage, and get a freestanding toilet paper stand for easier access to a few. (something like this, but they make them to dispense toilet paper too, like this)
Cal Antha
2 years ago
Definitely agree with closed storage rather than open shelves. Bonus points if you find a cabinet with adjustable shelves so it can hold taller items as well. If you get a tall cabinet like the one in the picture, make sure to mount it with enough clearance above the toilet for routine maintenance like replacing the flapper.
Pacifico Tanner
2 years ago
It looks beautiful, so far. I really like your bathroom design idea. You are doing a great job.
tartanmeup
2 years ago
I'm also looking for closed storage solutions for my bathroom. For the extra TP, have you thought of storing it in the bottom vanity drawer? Depending on how many people use this bathroom, the amount of products needing to be stored...sometimes paring down product essentials in the bathroom is the most practical solution. Not the easiest though!

Your bathroom looks great btw.
Sarah
2 years ago
How much TP do you need to store? How many people live in your home? If you have 1-2 people in your home, could you just let the grocery/ pharmacy store TP for you, keeping only 3-4 rolls at a time in the cabinet?
Mrs Pete
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Several ideas:

Idea 1: A shelf above the bathroom door could provide storage for toilet paper, and baskets can "neaten things up". This would only be visible from inside the bathroom.

Idea 2: You say you're against too much clutter above the toilet. How about a train rack for towels? You can get a small, neat one, and the linens could bring some color into a rather empty bathroom. Moving linens to this spot would free up space under the sink for the toilet paper.

Idea 3: How about a basket near the toilet to hold toilet paper rolls? It brings in an organic, natural item that softens the all-white bathroom.
Toronto Veterinarian
2 years ago
Idea 2: You say you're against too much clutter above the toilet. How about a train rack for towels?

An open shelf above the toilet is a very unhygienic place to store towels. I have a rack like that (looks cheap, like a motel bathroom, in my opinion), and I only store wrapped rolls of toilet paper up there.
bpath
2 years ago
You could have open shelves and store things in pretty boxes, lidded or open.
HU-996389822
2 years ago
https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Floating-Honeycomb-Toilet-Bathroom/dp/B08NK623SW/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?dchild=1&keywords=decorative+toilet+tissue+holder+wall&qid=1630465356&sr=8-14
tartanmeup
2 years ago
Forgot to mention this concealed cabinet option. You can choose an art frame (comes empty) or a mirror. Came across it on the big pin board site.

As for open shelving not being hygienic, I don't see this as an issue if people close the toilet lid before flushing. Unless I'm missing something?
PRO
YIGII
2 years ago
Several ideas:

If you have a small bathroom space, you can always find a spot beside your flush for a self adhesive TP holder. It is small, taking no space, and rolls out your paper smoothly.

Next to flush TP holder

Or add two of them for more TP

Or put a TP holder on your wall and keep your spare rolls on your flush top.

wall TP rack

If you find the above one too messy for you? Maybe you wanna try the below idea. No rust and strong body TP holder with a see through space for a spare roll.

I think that's enough for your TP storage issues.

TP rack with extra space for spare TP
gina9775 thanked YIGII