7 bathroom wall storage ideas to maximize your vertical space usage

Busy bathrooms often see numerous family members in and out multiple times a day, and often hold lots of essential toiletries and towels. Even if your bathroom is well proportioned, storage can often be a pain-point for this space.

This is where vertical wall storage can be a space-savior. Here, our organizing experts share their seven bathroom wall storage ideas including door hooks, custom-built alcoves and the humble wall shelf to take the pressure off.

It's easy to make bathroom storage mistakes, but going vertical when you need extra or better storage space isn't one of them as it keeps your floor space as is and makes use of surface area you might not have thought to put into play.

1. Go modular around your sink

Modular systems are rather fabulous. They're often narrow, multi-functional and very stylish – ideal for modernists. They allow you to choose a storage system that suits your unique space, which is invaluable in a small bathroom that needs tried and tested design features.

Bo Hellberg, CMO of String Furniture shares, 'With the modular shelves you will have no problem maximizing stylish storage for any bathroom size or type of space. Towels and other bathroom essentials all need their dedicated spot and with modular shelving, you can find a place for all your things while giving your bathroom a contemporary design.'

This look by String Furniture pictured above, shows how you can use the wall space around the sink perfectly, with each section added to suit your individual needs.

2. Choose a display cabinet

Display cabinets with glazed doors allow you to keep essentials dry and dust free, it could be used as medicine cabinet or for favourite soaps and lotions.

The beauty of them is that you can see the interior without opening the door, making it ideal for that quick grab when time is tight.

Anthropologie's Fern wood arch wall cabinet is ideal, it has glazed doors, shelving and a drawer, it also comes in three colors and a wood finish.

3. Tall floating cabinets

We all love a floating bathroom vanity – they're a great storage solution, so why not consider a floating wall cabinet? They're ideal in contemporary bathrooms and if space is an issue, opt for tall yet narrow.

'Floating cabinets are a great option for items that I don’t necessarily want on display, and I love getting these custom-made according to the dimensions of the bathroom I’m working with,' says Joyce Huston, lead interior designer at Decorilla. 'These can be wider and shorter cabinets or longer and thinner, depending on the space I’m working with.'

I have browsed through dozens of designs and picked my three favorite below.

4. Add a recess

If you are about to remodel your bathroom, then incorporating a recess in the wall will help no end. Even if it's only small, it's enough to store those every day shower gels and shampoos.

Joyce Huston agrees, 'Recessed medicine cabinets, like those behind a mirror, are another go-to option that I love for discreetly storing certain items. I love to add some lighting to the mirror, so it doubles as a perfect vanity as well!'

TEHOME's farmhouse chrome metal framed recessed bathroom medicine cabinet from Amazon is a popular choice, and has two glass shelves inside.

5. Pop up a shelves

Open shelving is a popular choice in both bathrooms and kitchens, and it's easy to see why. It's practical, stylish and ensures your most used items are easy to hand in those rushed morning moments.

'If bathroom space is a premium and there is only one small closet for linens and cleaning products or only small drawers and a medicine cabinet, a great way to maximize storage space is the use of walls,' says Barbara Brock, CEO of Barbara Brock Inc. a professional organizing and staging company.

6. Store towels on racks or hooks

Not every bathroom has enough wall space for a towel radiator or shelving. We asked Barbara Brock for her advice on how to solve this space issue. 'Hang a coat rack on the wall with multiple hooks (like Wayfair's GD453 stainless steel wall mounted towel hook rack), it can accommodate many different types of items in bathroom storage including towels and cosmetic items hung in an organizing bag.'

Alternatively, you could have single hooks for each member of the family, we love Anthropologie's bumblebee bath hook which is part of a wider nature-inspired range.

7. Custom built cabinetry

Some bathrooms can be tricky space wise, and this is where custom built shelving and units might be the only answer. There are two options, both showcased above – open shelving and wall mounted cabinetry (rather like you get in a kitchen).

Both have their uses and can be used separately or together and it means you can make the most of every inch, and go up to the ceiling too. If built in doesn't suit your budget, you could pick a wall cabinet and use multiple across your wall to give the same look. Wayfair's Jaeden 2-door removable wall cabinet has the flexibility to change the look of the design too.

Meet our experts

Bo Hellberg

Bo Hellberg is the CMO at String Furniture, the leading Scandinavian design company that manufactures, among other things, the flexible and functional String® shelving system - one of the most beloved design classics of the 20th century and a design icon from 1949, designed by Nisse and Kajsa Strinning.

Joyce Huston

Joyce Huston is a lead interior designer & co-founder at Decorilla Online Interior Design, a service that connects customers with vetted professional interior designers who create curated 3D and VR spaces based on customer style preferences and budget.

Barbara Brock

Barbara Brock is the founder & CEO of Barbara Brock Inc., a professional organizing and staging company, and Beauty & The Box, a company dedicated to fusing beauty with organization for the traveling woman and at home.

There's no doubt about it, incorporating bathroom wall storage into your space is going to keep the clutter at bay and help to make this key room feel more spacious. All you need to decide is what type to invest in.

Next, read how adhesive shower shelves transformed our editor's tiny en suite.