11 Effortless Small Bathroom Cabinet Design Tips and Ideas

11 Effortless Small Bathroom Cabinet Design Tips and Ideas

Tight bathroom? It can be challenging to figure out where to start when you want to make more storage in your bathroom cabinets. You might think it’s impossible to fit everything you need into the space you have, especially if you have a small bathroom cabinet.

Fortunately, you can make your space work for you by finding a good cabinet store and the best ways to store bathroom cabinets. Our design experts will give their best solutions for storing things in your bathroom cabinet. These tips will make your bathroom storage cabinet feel ten times bigger, and you’ll be able to store everything you need in it.

Table of Contents

Small Bathroom Cabinet Creative Storage Hacks

1. Go Up, Not Out with Wall-Mounted Cabinets

Floor space costs more than wall space in a small bathroom. By going vertical with wall-mounted cabinets, you free up room to move around while adding tons of storage. Above the toilet? Perfect spot for a cabinet that doesn’t crowd your floor.

Medicine cabinets do double duty with built-in mirrors. Now you’ve got storage and a place to check your reflection before heading out the door.

According to Houzz, vertical storage solutions help homeowners maximize space in bathrooms smaller than 40 square feet.

2. Match Your Bathroom Cabinet Style to Your Space

Not all cabinets fit all bathrooms. Slim designs slide into narrow gaps between your shower and vanity. Corner units grab that awkward dead space nobody knows what to do with. Need flexibility? Freestanding towers move when you do, perfect for renters.

Open shelves versus closed doors? Each works differently. Closed cabinets hide your mess better. Open shelving makes tight spaces feel less cramped. Why not use both?

Your small bathroom storage cabinet should work with your layout, not against it.

3. Transform Under-Sink Space into Cabinet Storage

Look under your sink right now. Bet there’s wasted space down there. Pull-out drawers beat fixed shelves every time because you see everything without getting on your knees. Toss in some small bins or baskets to corral cleaning supplies.

Want a quick hack? Install a tension rod to hang spray bottles. Boom, instant extra shelf space.

HGTV recommends using stackable organizers under the sink to double your storage capacity in tight spaces.

4. Claim Dead Space Above Your Toilet

Why let perfectly good wall space go to waste? Over-toilet units come in all sizes to fit your exact setup. Look for adjustable shelves so you can customize your cabinet storage for what you actually own.

Glass-front doors keep things visible while protecting your linens from dust. Wood doors hide everything if you prefer a cleaner look.

5. Squeeze Storage into Tight Corners

Got six inches next to your vanity? That’s enough for a tall, narrow cabinet. These slim towers pack in towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies without hogging precious floor space.

Rolling carts work too, especially if you need something you move around on cleaning day. Just wheel it out when you’re done.

6. Think Beyond Traditional Bathroom Furniture

Standard bathroom cabinets aren’t your only option. Floating shelves above the door hold extra towels that most people forget about. That narrow bookshelf gathering dust? Add baskets and move them into your bathroom.

Ladder shelves lean against walls without any installation. Perfect for renters or anyone who hates drilling holes.

Want to go all in? Recessed cabinets built into walls save tons of space in older homes with thick walls. This bathroom remodel costs more upfront, but the functionality pays off for years.

7. Shop Smart at Your Local Cabinet Store

Quality beats price when shopping for cabinet storage. Open doors and drawers a few times to test construction. Solid wood lasts longer than particle board, especially in humid bathrooms.

Water-resistant finishes protect against moisture damage. Skip anything with a finish that peels or bubbles.

Measure three times before heading to any cabinet store. Bring photos of your space and a list of what needs storing. Sales staff help way more when they understand your specific setup.

8. Pick Colors and Finishes That Open Up Space

Glossy finishes bounce light around and make bathrooms feel larger. Matte finishes hide fingerprints but soak up light instead of reflecting it.

Glass cabinet doors create depth without adding visual weight. Your bathroom looks bigger even though you haven’t changed the square footage.

Match cabinet hardware to your other bathroom fixtures. Brushed nickel and chrome resist moisture better than painted finishes.

9. Get Expert Help for Tricky Layouts

Hiring a bathroom designer makes sense for complex spaces or full bathroom remodeling projects. Designers spot storage opportunities you walk past every day. They know which cabinet configurations work best in specific layouts.

Bring pictures of cabinet storage ideas you like to your first meeting. Being honest about your budget helps designers find solutions that actually fit your wallet.

10. Keep Your Cabinets Looking New

Humidity destroys bathroom furniture faster than cabinets in other rooms. Wipe up water splashes right away to prevent damage. Use cleaners made for cabinets, not harsh chemicals that strip finishes.

Check hinges and drawer slides once a year. Tightening loose screws now prevents bigger headaches later. Touch up scratches with matching stain markers before they get worse.

11. Start Small, Think Big

Full renovations aren’t always necessary to improve bathroom storage. Swapping old cabinet doors for new ones refreshes your whole space. Adding pull-out organizers to existing cabinets doubles their usefulness without buying anything new.

Sometimes editing what you store works better than adding more cabinets. Keep only daily essentials in your bathroom. Move backup supplies to a hall closet or under your bed.

Best Bathroom Cabinet Storage Design Features Worth Having

Features matter more than size sometimes. Interior door racks hold hair tools and small bottles you grab every day. Pull-out trays bring stuff at the back within easy reach.

Ever heard of toe-kick drawers? They sit at the base of your cabinet and store flat items like bath mats. Talk about using every inch.

Adjustable shelves adapt when your needs change. Soft-close hinges save your sanity and last way longer than standard hardware.

Top Bathroom Cabinet Storage Tips From Professional Designers

Professional bathroom designers know tricks most people miss. Here’s what they tell their clients:

  • Measure twice, buy once. Know your ceiling height, wall width, and where light switches sit before shopping.
  • Light colors make small bathroom cabinets feel bigger. White, cream, and light gray open up tight spaces. Dark cabinets work fine if you have strong lighting.
  • LED strips inside cabinets light up your morning routine. No more squinting to find things in dim corners.
  • Eye level gets the everyday stuff. High shelves and low spots hold backups and seasonal items.
  • Drawer dividers double your cabinet storage capacity. Everything gets its own spot instead of jumbling together.

Make Every Inch Count

Look, you don’t need a huge bathroom to feel organized. Smart cabinet storage turns even the tightest spaces into something functional where everything has its place. Pick one tip from this list and try it this weekend. Maybe start with that wasted space under your sink or grab a slim cabinet for that awkward corner. Small changes add up fast, and before you know it, your morning routine flows instead of being frustrating. 

Ready to upgrade your bathroom storage for real? Stop by any Cabinets City showroom and explore quality options from trusted brands like Fabuwood, J&K Cabinets, Showplace Cabinets, Mantra Cabinets, Schrock Cabinets, Prolux Cabinetry, and Kith Cabinets. Our designers will walk through your space with you, measure what you’re working with, and find solutions that fit your budget. Schedule your free estimate and see what’s possible.

Bayram Gulsen

Bayram Gulsen is the owner of Cabinets City. He always had this passion to redefine cabinetry to be at its best along with his dedicated team and the author of Cabinets City blog: You can find Bayram on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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