How to Plan Your Bathroom Storage Needs
Inadequate storage is the number one regret in bathroom remodels. Most homeowners underestimate what they need by 30-40%, leaving them with cluttered countertops and overflowing cabinets within months. This guide walks you through a systematic approach to planning storage that actually works for your life.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1-2 hours
Difficulty
Easy (planning only)
Cost
Free to plan
Why Storage Planning Matters More Than You Think
Most people plan their dream bathroom around the fixtures: that soaking tub, the rain shower, the elegant vanity. Storage is an afterthought squeezed into whatever space remains. Six months later, they're drowning in clutter, stacking products on the back of the toilet, and wishing they'd planned differently.
Proper storage planning before you remodel prevents these common disasters:
- Counter clutter: Without dedicated homes for daily items, countertops become permanent storage surfaces.
- Moisture damage: Wrong materials in high-humidity zones lead to warping, mold, and premature failure.
- Family friction: Shared bathrooms without clear zones become battlegrounds over space and organization.
- Inaccessible items: Poor zoning means daily essentials are buried behind rarely-used items.
- Wasted space: Standard cabinets often waste 30-40% of available volume with poor interior organization.
What You Need for This Exercise
This is a planning exercise, not a construction project. You probably have everything you need already:
Required
- Measuring tape
- Notebook, spreadsheet, or notes app
- Calculator
- 1-2 uninterrupted hours
Nice to Have
- Empty bins or boxes for sorting
- Smartphone for photos
- Graph paper or room planning app
- Other household members for input
Step-by-Step: Planning Your Bathroom Storage
1. Take a Complete Inventory of Current Items
This is the most important step, and the one people most often skip. Empty every single cabinet, drawer, shelf, shower caddy, and medicine cabinet. Pull out everything stored in the bathroom, including under the sink. Yes, even that stuff you forgot was back there.
Inventory Categories to Track
Personal Care
- Skincare products (count them)
- Hair products and tools
- Makeup and cosmetics
- Shaving supplies
- Dental care items
- Medications (daily and occasional)
Household Items
- Towels (bath, hand, washcloths)
- Toilet paper (stock quantity)
- Cleaning supplies
- Backup toiletries
- First aid supplies
- Miscellaneous (scale, hamper, etc.)
2. Categorize Items by Access Frequency
Not everything needs prime real estate. Sort your inventory into three access tiers. This determines where each category should live in your new bathroom.
Tier 1: Daily Essentials (Eye to Waist Level)
Items you reach for every single day. These need immediate, easy access without bending or reaching.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, daily skincare, deodorant, daily medications, contact lens supplies, razor
Tier 2: Regular Use (Lower Drawers, Side Cabinets)
Used several times a week but not daily. Can be stored in less convenient spots.
Hair styling tools, makeup, nail care, shaving cream, hair products, first aid basics, cleaning supplies for quick touch-ups
Tier 3: Backup Stock (High Shelves, Deep Cabinets)
Items used monthly or less. Stock and bulk supplies. Can go in hard-to-reach spots.
Extra toilet paper, backup toiletries, seasonal items, rarely used medications, deep cleaning supplies, extra towels
3. Zone Storage by User and Activity
A well-planned bathroom has distinct zones. Each zone serves a specific activity and, in shared bathrooms, specific users. This prevents the morning traffic jam and keeps everyone's items organized.
Activity Zones
- Shower Zone: Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, shower-specific items
- Vanity Zone: Skincare, dental care, grooming, makeup
- Toilet Zone: Toilet paper, plunger, cleaning brush, reading material
- Linen Zone: Towels, washcloths, bath mats, backup supplies
User Zones (Shared Bathrooms)
- Couple: Split vanity 50/50 with clear divider
- Kids: Lower drawer access, labeled containers
- Guests: Dedicated basket or cabinet section
- Shared: Neutral zone for communal items
4. Evaluate Vertical vs. Horizontal Storage
Bathrooms are typically small, so maximizing vertical space is crucial. But the right mix depends on your ceiling height, layout, and what you're storing.
Vertical Storage (Go Up)
Best for small footprints and maximizing floor space.
- + Tall linen towers
- + Wall-mounted cabinets above toilet
- + Recessed medicine cabinets
- + Floating shelves stacked vertically
- + Full-height shower niches
Ideal for: Small bathrooms, powder rooms, narrow spaces
Horizontal Storage (Spread Out)
Best for easy access and larger bathrooms.
- + Wide vanity with multiple drawers
- + Under-sink cabinet pullouts
- + Long floating shelf runs
- + Bench with storage underneath
- + Rolling carts
Ideal for: Master baths, accessible designs, those with mobility needs
The sweet spot: Most bathrooms benefit from a combination. Use vertical for stock storage and horizontal for daily-access items. A tall linen cabinet for towels plus a wide vanity with drawers covers most needs.
5. Decide Between Hidden and Display Storage
This is partly aesthetic and partly practical. Open shelving looks great in photos but requires constant maintenance. Closed storage hides clutter but can waste space.
Display Storage (Open)
- + Feels more spacious
- + See everything at a glance
- + Great for decorative items
- - Requires constant tidying
- - Dust and humidity exposure
- - Everything must look good
Best for: Rolled towels, matching containers, plants, decorative soaps
Hidden Storage (Closed)
- + Hides visual clutter
- + Protects from humidity
- + Low maintenance
- - Can waste internal space
- - Items get forgotten
- - Less visually interesting
Best for: Toiletries, medications, cleaning supplies, bulk stock
The 80/20 Rule for Bathroom Storage
Keep 80% of storage closed (behind doors or in drawers) and 20% open. This gives you the clean look of hidden storage with a few curated display moments. Reserve open shelving for items you want to show: fluffy rolled towels, attractive containers, or a small plant.
6. Select Humidity-Resistant Materials
Bathrooms are harsh environments. The steam, splashing, and constant humidity will destroy the wrong materials within a few years. Choose wisely now to avoid replacing storage solutions later.
Bathroom-Safe Materials
- Solid wood with marine-grade polyurethane
- MR-MDF (moisture-resistant MDF)
- Stainless steel (316 grade for coastal)
- Powder-coated metal
- Tempered glass
- High-quality PVC/plastic
- Teak or cedar (naturally moisture-resistant)
Materials to Avoid
- Particle board - swells and crumbles
- Standard MDF - warps when wet
- Unfinished wood - absorbs moisture, molds
- Untreated iron - rusts quickly
- Cheap laminate - edges peel and swell
- Fabric bins (without moisture treatment)
- Cardboard organizers - temporary at best
7. Calculate Your Total Storage Volume
Now that you know what you have and how you want to organize it, calculate how much actual storage space you need. This prevents the common mistake of choosing fixtures that look good but don't hold enough.
Storage Calculation Method
Typical Storage Volumes by Bathroom Type
Storage Solutions Quick Reference
Use this reference to match your storage needs with specific solutions. Each option has different volume capacity and accessibility.
| Storage Solution | Typical Volume | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 30" Vanity (single sink) | 3-4 cu ft | Daily essentials, toiletries |
| 48" Vanity (double sink) | 6-8 cu ft | Two users' daily items |
| Medicine cabinet (recessed) | 1-2 cu ft | Medications, small toiletries |
| Tall linen tower (floor to ceiling) | 8-12 cu ft | Towels, linens, bulk stock |
| Over-toilet cabinet | 2-4 cu ft | Extra TP, cleaning supplies |
| Shower niche (per niche) | 0.2-0.5 cu ft | Shampoo, conditioner, soap |
| Floating shelves (24" x 8" each) | 0.3-0.5 cu ft | Display items, rolled towels |
Pro Tips for Better Bathroom Storage
Drawer dividers are non-negotiable
Without them, drawers become junk drawers within weeks. Use adjustable dividers or custom inserts to create designated spots for everything.
Install outlets inside medicine cabinets
A hidden outlet lets you charge electric toothbrushes and shavers out of sight. Plan electrical during rough-in.
Use clear containers for visibility
You can't organize what you can't see. Acrylic bins and jars make it easy to find items and track when you're running low.
Build in a hamper solution
A pull-out hamper in the vanity or a built-in laundry nook prevents floor clutter and keeps dirty items contained.
Consider a appliance garage
A countertop cabinet with a retractable door hides hair dryers and styling tools while keeping them accessible.
Don't forget the toilet plunger
Nobody wants to display it, but you need it accessible. Plan a discrete spot in the toilet zone, like a slim cabinet beside the toilet.
Common Storage Planning Mistakes
Choosing a pedestal sink without alternative storage
Why it's a problem: Pedestal sinks look elegant but provide zero storage. You lose 3-4 cubic feet of usable space.
What to do instead: If you want a pedestal sink, add a recessed medicine cabinet, wall-mounted storage, and a nearby linen closet to compensate.
Only planning for current items
Why it's a problem: Storage needs grow. New products, additional family members, changing routines all add up.
What to do instead: Add 25% buffer to your calculated storage needs. You'll use it eventually.
Ignoring the depth of cabinets
Why it's a problem: Deep cabinets create dead zones where items get lost and forgotten at the back.
What to do instead: Use pull-out drawers, lazy Susans, or two-tier organizers for cabinets deeper than 18 inches.
Putting all storage on one wall
Why it's a problem: Creates traffic bottlenecks and makes the bathroom feel unbalanced.
What to do instead: Distribute storage across zones. Vanity on one wall, linen storage on another, shower storage where it's needed.
Forgetting about cleaning supplies
Why it's a problem: Toilet brush, plunger, cleaners need a home. If you don't plan for them, they end up visible.
What to do instead: Dedicate at least 1 cubic foot of concealed storage specifically for cleaning supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much bathroom storage do I actually need?
Measure your current storage volume in cubic feet, then add 25% for future growth. The average master bathroom needs 8-12 cubic feet of storage, while a guest bathroom needs 4-6 cubic feet. For shared family bathrooms, multiply the baseline by the number of users and add 20% for shared items like towels and cleaning supplies.
Should I choose drawers or cabinets for bathroom storage?
Drawers are generally more efficient because you can see and access everything without digging. Use drawers for small items like cosmetics, toiletries, and medications. Reserve cabinet space for tall items like hair dryers, cleaning supplies, and bulk toilet paper. The ideal vanity has a mix of both: drawers on top for daily items and a cabinet below for larger items.
What materials are best for bathroom storage in high humidity?
Choose solid wood with marine-grade polyurethane finish, moisture-resistant MDF (marked "MR-MDF"), stainless steel, powder-coated metal, tempered glass, or high-quality plastic. Avoid particle board, untreated MDF, and unfinished wood. For open shelving, glass and metal are ideal because they don't absorb moisture and are easy to wipe down.
How do I plan storage for a small bathroom?
In small bathrooms, think vertically and use overlooked spaces. Install a recessed medicine cabinet to save 4-5 inches of floor space. Use the wall above the toilet for a cabinet or shelves. Add a tall, narrow linen tower. Consider a pedestal sink with a mirror cabinet if a vanity won't fit. Use over-door organizers and shower caddies to maximize every inch.
How do I organize bathroom storage for multiple users?
Assign dedicated zones to each user: separate drawers, cabinet sections, or shelf areas. Use drawer dividers and labeled bins. Color-code towels and storage containers for easy identification. Keep shared items (toilet paper, hand soap, cleaning supplies) in neutral territory. For couples sharing a vanity, split it down the middle with clear boundaries.
Your Storage Planning Checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you've covered all aspects of storage planning before finalizing your bathroom design.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you've planned your storage needs, it's time to document your current bathroom with before photos before any work begins.