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27 Bathroom Shelving Ideas for Added Storage and a More Stylish Display Space

bathroom shelving ideas

The Spruce / Almar Creative

Hanging extra built-in or wall-mounted shelves is a simple, space-saving way to maximize storage and display decor items. Extra bathroom shelving will help keep large or small bathrooms both organized and serene, and can be used to house everything from supplies to everyday essentials to plants or seasonal decorations.

You can choose bathroom shelving in a range of styles and materials to suit any interior, from modern to farmhouse and beyond. Purchase new or vintage shelving made from wood, glass, metal, or stone or DIY your own bathroom shelving from salvaged materials for a sustainable approach.

Check out these bathroom shelving ideas in a range of homes and styles to help you find the right solution for your space.

  • 01 of 27

    Hang a Shelf Above the WC

    small bathroom with floating shelf above toilet

    Margaret Wright Interior + Lifestyle Photography

    Adding a floating shelf above the toilet is an easy way to add a little charm to a tiny bathroom. In this space captured by Margaret Wright Interior + Lifestyle Photography, the designer utilized the shelf for supplies and decorated it with framed art.

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  • 02 of 27

    Use Mobile Shelves

    bathroom with rolling storage cart

    Julie Rose for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    In a bathroom with limited wall space, swap wall-mounted shelves for a small rolling utility cart with tiered shelving that can be moved around as needed, like this bathroom from Julie Rose for Emily Henderson Design.

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  • 03 of 27

    Match Shelving to Fixtures

    metallic bathroom shelving ideas

    Jessica Nelson Design

    Match your bathroom shelving to other bathroom fixtures and decor for a cohesive look. Jessica Nelson Design hung a double brass shelf with a built-in towel rack in this light-flooded bathroom that echoes the brass mirrors and wall sconces, and chose silver-toned plumbing fixtures to add a mixed metal finish in this light and airy bathroom.

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  • 04 of 27

    Use a Bath Tray

    bathtub tray shelving ideas

    @martinas_cosy_crib / Instagram

    Bath trays have become a staple in homes where bath time is essential. However, you can put those trays to good use even when you're not in the bathtub—use them to hold plants, soaps, and other items that you might normally stack around the edge of the tub to keep things from looking unruly.

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  • 05 of 27

    Install a Wide Shelf

    horizontal wooden shelf in bathroom

    Jessica Nelson Design

    When you have a small bathroom, it's important to really think about all the unused space and put it to work. Jessica Nelson Design ran a thin shelf underneath the dual mirrors the entire width of the sink vanity to maximize space.

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  • 06 of 27

    Add a Vanity Shelf

    wooden bathroom vanity with shelving

    Desiree Burns Interiors

    A running theme in decorating small rooms is utilizing every inch of space. Desiree Burns Interiors chose a rustic wooden vanity with open under-sink shelving for storing smaller items and even hand towels if needed.

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  • 07 of 27

    Use Contrasting Materials

    primary bathroom shelving ideas

    @burcharddesignco / Instagram

    Add warmth and contrast to a bathroom finished with white walls and tiles and black accents with natural or distressed wood shelves. Burchard Design Co. ran a chunky wooden shelf across the wall above the sink and toilet to maximize space in this modern bathroom.

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  • 08 of 27

    Try Corner Shower Shelves

    bathroom shower shelving ideas

    Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions

    A hanging shower caddy is nice, but for optimal storage space in a small bathroom, built-in shelving is a must. Amy Leferink at Interior Impressions installed space-saving corner shelving to store shampoo and soap that blends in seamlessly for an uncluttered feel. 

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  • 09 of 27

    Carve Out a Niche

    small bathroom shelving ideas

    Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design

    A built-in storage niche is a bonus space that can be used as shelving for everyday essentials or decor. In this bathroom from Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design, a small storage niche houses bottles and extra soup, while a glass shelf mounted onto the mirror over the sink stores face wash, soap, and other items without taking up countertop space.

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  • 10 of 27

    Choose Marble Shelves

    marble floating bathroom shelving ideas

    @burcharddesignco / Instagram

    Wood is a classic option for floating shelves, but if you want to dress your bathroom up a bit, try opting for a marble shelf instead. This small shelf is the perfect size for a piece of artwork and a few decor items, and the marble paired with gold brackets adds timeless appeal to this bathroom from Burchard Design Co.

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  • 11 of 27

    Use Floating Shelves

    floating shelf under vanity

    Michelle Berwick Design

    If your modern bathroom includes a chunky floating shelf as a vanity, double your storage space by mounting an identical floating shelf below, like this space from Michelle Berwick Design.

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  • 12 of 27

    Adapt What You Have

    creative bathroom storage ideas

    Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design

    Get creative by finding ways to create shelving where there once was none. In this bathroom from Malcolm Simmons for Emily Henderson Design, a portion of the towel rack is turned into a surprising mini shelf to showcase decor without using up much-coveted sink or shelf space.

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  • 13 of 27

    Install a Room Spray Shelf

    floating shelf in small bathroom nook

    Laquita Tate Styling and Design

    Install an open shelf over the toilet to keep a collection of room sprays handy so that you can ensure that your bathroom smells as good as it looks, like this space from Laquita Tate Styling and Design.

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  • 14 of 27

    Add Double Wall Niches

    built ins shower/bathroom

    @burcharddesignco / Instagram

    If you're renovating your bathroom, utilize vertical space and add double niches on the wall like this space from Burchard Design Co.

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  • 15 of 27

    Match Shelves to Walls

    black floating bathroom shelving ideas

    Laquita Tate Styling and Design

    Minimize visual clutter by matching your bathroom shelves to the walls. Laquita Tate Styling and Design painted the shelves black to help them blend into black-and-white wallpaper. Paint wooden shelves the same color as the walls for a monochromatic look.

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  • 16 of 27

    Hang Wicker Shelves

    bathroom wicker shelving ideas

    JC Designs

    Use woven hanging shelves made from wicker or rattan to add warmth and boho style to an all-white bathroom. JC Designs hung a pair of wicker shelves on the white walls of this bathroom, and decorated the space with additional wood and woven accents and plants for a modern look.

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  • 17 of 27

    Make Use of Window Space

    space-saving bathroom shelving ideas

    Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    Turn a bathroom window into shelf space for a clever, space-saving solution. In this bathroom from Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Designs, a deep-set window becomes the perfect opportunity for added storage with the addition of wooden shelves.

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  • 18 of 27

    Add a Shelf With Hooks

    bathroom mirror shelf ideas

    @martinas_cosy_crib / Instagram

    This mirror shelf in this bathroom from Martina's Cosy Crib is perfect for a small space because it works double-time, with under-shelf hooks for hand towels.

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  • 19 of 27

    Use a Bench as a Shelf

    bathroom bench shelving ideas

    @S.U.S.A.P / Instagram

    If your bathroom lacks wall space, consider using a small bench as a shelf for plants or other items, like this bathroom from S.U.S.A.P.

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  • 20 of 27

    Include a Shelf Guard Rail

    bathroom open shelving ideas

    Kate Marker Interiors

    Hang a shelf over the toilet with a built-in guard rail that is both decorative and minimizes the chance of knocking something into an open toilet. Kate Marker Interiors matched the guard rail to brass finishes and fixtures for a cohesive look.

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  • 21 of 27

    DIY a Plywood Plant Shelf

    diy plywood pegboard bathroom shelving ideas

    Most Lovely Things

    Create extra storage space on an empty wall in the bathroom by making an adjustable shelf that fits your space. Most Lovely Things added a DIY plywood pegboard plant shelf on an empty patch of wall above the tub near a window that can also be used to store bath supplies, towels, toilet paper, or anything else.

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  • 22 of 27

    Try Geometric Shapes

    geometric bathroom shelving ideas

    Dazey Den

    Source decorative vintage or new wall-mounted shelves in geometric shapes that will function as wall decor and provide extra storage for smaller items. Dazey Den hung a triangular wire shelf on the wall of this revisited midcentury modern bathroom, but feel free to sub in octagons, hexagons, circles, or other shapes to suit your decor.

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  • 23 of 27

    Choose a Shelf Mirror Combo

    modern bathroom shelving ideas

    Michelle Berwick Design

    If your storage needs are minimal, consider skipping a mirrored medicine cabinet and adding a mirror with a built-in shelf, like this small bathroom from Michelle Berwick Design.

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  • 24 of 27

    Use Scavenged Wood

    sustainable bathroom shelving ideas

    Lobster and Swan

    Use scavenged or scrap wood to create bathroom shelving that is both practical and sustainable. Lobster and Swan added warmth to this all-black English country bathroom with open shelving made from Elm scrap wood from a local reclaimed wood workshop (top shelf) and a slice of an eucalyptus tree that fell down in the backyard (bottom shelf).

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  • 25 of 27

    Add a Standalone Sink Shelf

    vintage bathroom shelving ideas

    Studio Peake

    In a vintage bathroom, choose a freestanding sink with built-in shelving for storing towels or woven baskets holding supplies, like this under-sink shelf from Studio Peake.

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  • 26 of 27

    DIY a Towel Holder Shelf

    diy bathroom towel shelf ideas

    The Merrythought

    Combine storage and display space with a towel holder shelf combination like this simple wood and leather DIY project from The Merrythought.

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  • 27 of 27

    Repurpose the Toilet Shelf

    bathroom shelving ideas above the toilet

    Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

    If your toilet includes a flat shelf above the water tank, add lidded baskets on a tray to store essentials and keep clutter at bay. Emily Henderson Design chose pale woven baskets in a matching tray that maximize storage and won't slip and slide.