Planning a bathroom renovation and seeking smart storage solutions? Storage is often overlooked in bathroom design, but it plays a key role in the overall look, feel, and function of the bathroom. From daily essentials to spare supplies, having the right storage for these items helps maintain a clean and well-ordered bathroom. Without enough well-planned storage, even the most beautifully designed bathroom can quickly start to feel messy and cluttered.
In this blog, we share simple and practical storage ideas that you can incorporate into your bathroom renovation. Whether you are working with a small area or planning a full remodel, these tips will help you create a bathroom that is neat, functional, and easy to enjoy every day.
Recessed Shelves
Recessed shelves are an ideal storage option to incorporate into your bathroom design, especially if you’re aiming for a clean, modern look without compromising practicality. These shelves fit directly into the wall, making smart use of unused space to neatly store toiletries, towels, or decorative items without occupying extra room. They work perfectly in showers, above baths, or beside vanities, and can be fully tiled to match the rest of the bathroom for a seamless, cohesive look.
Recessed shelving keeps surfaces tidy and adds a refined, built-in look that can elevate the overall feel of the bathroom. You can enhance the overall look by adding recessed lighting, which creates a soft glow that transforms a simple shelf into an eye-catching design feature. Adding mosaic tiles to the back of recessed shelves is an easy way to bring a stylish, high-end touch to the space, making the shelves stand out while blending beautifully with the rest of the bathroom design.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves add extra storage while keeping the bathroom feeling open, light and well designed. They are often mounted directly onto the wall without visible brackets, providing a clean, modern look that suits almost any bathroom style. These shelves are ideal for storing folded towels, everyday toiletries, or decorative items such as candles and plants. Floating shelves are a functional addition above the toilet, beside the vanity, or along empty walls, making the most of vertical space without crowding the room.
They come in a range of materials, including wood for warmth, glass for a light and minimalist look, or stone for a more refined appearance. Floating shelves are ideal for small bathrooms or for adding simple, stylish finishing touches to any space. These shelves offer both function and style, helping to create a bathroom that is organised, visually balanced and well considered.
Corner Cabinets.
Corner cabinets are a smart way to maximise the often unused space in the bathroom layouts. They are designed to fit neatly into corners, providing practical storage for essential bathroom items without making the room feel crowded. They are handy in smaller bathrooms where space is limited, offering a discreet spot for toiletries, spare towels or cleaning products. Available as wall-mounted or floor-standing units, corner cabinets come in a range of styles and finishes to suit both modern and traditional bathrooms.
Mirror Cabinets
Mirror cabinets are a clever and space-saving storage solution that combines two essential features in one. With storage built in behind the mirror, they keep everyday items such as toiletries, skincare products, and medicines neatly tucked away while still being easily accessible. This makes them particularly well suited to small or compact bathrooms, where maximising space is key.
Wall mounted mirror cabinets are a great choice for modern bathrooms, combining practical storage with a clean, streamlined look that helps make the most of available space. Some models even offer added features like heated demister pads or built in charging points, making them especially useful for grooming and shaving. Whether fitted above the basin or as part of a wider vanity area, a mirror cabinet is a smart and elegant storage option.
Bulk Heads
In bathroom design, bulkheads are often used to conceal structural elements, ductwork, or lighting fixtures. With a bit of planning, they can also serve as clever storage solutions and add visual interest to the space. This approach is beneficial in smaller bathrooms where floor and wall space is limited. Extending a bulkhead above the shower, vanity or toilet area can create discreet storage for spare towels, toiletries, cleaning products or decorative items.
Under Basin Storage
Under-basin storage is a smart and efficient way to maximise unused space in the bathroom, especially in areas that often go overlooked. This space can be cleverly transformed to store daily essentials while maintaining a neat and tidy bathroom space. There are several types of under-basin storage options to consider, including full vanity units with cupboards or open shelving units that allow space for baskets and folded towels.
Under basin storage offers an effective way to conceal exposed plumbing and pipework, with units specifically designed to fit neatly around pipes for a clean and organised look. This storage option is available in various styles and designs. Under-basin storage comes in a wide range of finishes, from sleek gloss to warm wood tones, allowing you to match the unit to your overall bathroom aesthetic.
Ladder Shelves
Ladder shelves are a stylish and practical storage option that can instantly add charm and functionality to your bathroom. Their slim, leaning design takes up minimal floor space while offering multiple levels of open shelving. The ladder shelf is ideal for storing towels, baskets, toiletries, or displaying decorative touches like candles and plants. This storage option is suitable for small or awkward spaces in the bathroom where traditional furniture may not fit.
One of the best things about ladder shelves is how easily they can be customised to suit your bathroom needs and style. You can add labelled bins, trays, or woven baskets to keep your space tidy and give it a personalised look. They come in several finishes, from natural wood to painted with bespoke colours for a modern look. Ladder shelves are easy to move around and install, making them flexible in layout, function, and perfect for adapting to changing storage needs.
Hooks And Hanging Basket
Hooks and hanging baskets are simple yet highly effective storage solutions that make the most of vertical space in the bathroom. Wall-mounted or over-the-door hooks are perfect for hanging towels, robes or shower caddies, keeping them off the floor and within easy reach. Hanging baskets can be placed on walls, doors or even inside cabinet doors, offering extra storage for toiletries, hair tools or smaller items that tend to create clutter.
Hanging baskets can be placed on walls, doors or even shower areas, offering extra storage for toiletries, hair tools or smaller items that tend to create clutter. These options are ideal for small bathrooms where floor and cupboard space is limited. They are easy to install and move around, making it simple to keep everyday items within reach and your bathroom neat and clutter-free.
Towel Rails
Towel rails are a classic and practical addition to any bathroom, offering a dedicated space to hang and dry towels while keeping them off the floor and neatly organised. Towel rails not only provide personal storage and warmth in the bathroom but also serve as a design feature that enhances and completes the overall style of the bathroom. They come in various sizes and finishes, including chrome, matte black or brushed brass for a more stylish touch.
Vanity Unit
A vanity unit is one of the most practical and versatile storage options in any bathroom, combining a basin with built-in storage to maximise space and reduce clutter. It offers a convenient place to keep toiletries, cleaning products, and everyday essentials out of sight, helping to maintain a clean and organised look.
Vanity units are available in a wide range of styles, sizes, and finishes, including sleek, modern designs with soft-close drawers, as well as more traditional units featuring shaker-style doors. They are available in bespoke colours and sizes to suit any bathroom layout and complement the overall colour scheme, making the vanity unit one of the most popular and widely used bathroom storage solutions.
Conclusion
A good bathroom design is not just about the look but also about how well the space works for everyday use. By incorporating innovative and simple storage ideas, such as recessed shelves, mirror cabinets, vanity units, and ladder shelves, you can keep your bathroom tidy and easy to use. These storage choices help maximise the space, minimise clutter, and enhance the overall feel of the room. The Bathroom Company, with showrooms in both Perth and Edinburgh, has a skilled design team ready to guide you through choosing the best storage solutions to suit your space and style.