“An over-the-toilet storage cabinet can prove to be a clutch factor in a space-challenged bathroom,” says Clara Jung, principal designer at San Francisco’s Banner Day Interiors. “It will unwittingly provide much-needed shelf space for an often unoccupied area of the room. It’s easily accessible for visiting guests without having to ask—or snoop—for supplies.” To determine the best over-the-toilet storage, we spent hours researching and considering factors like type, size, and capacity. In addition to Jung, we also spoke with Amber Sokolowski, co-founder of Soko Dai Design Studio in Southern California for expert advice. Both agree that over-the-toilet storage with cabinet doors is preferable to open shelves. “Closed upper cabinetry can be nice because you can generally store more and conceal the less pretty items,” Sokolowski explains. “You can enhance these types of cabinets with a nice paint color or decorative knobs.” Our top pick is the Bay Isle Home Laplant Solid Wood Over-the-Toilet Storage, which features a highly functional cabinet with two interior shelves concealed by sliding doors and one open shelf for styling. Its solid bamboo wood frame is durable and aesthetically pleasing, adding natural warmth to any bathroom. Here are the best over-the-toilet storage units. Who it isn’t for: People seeking a sleek, industrial vibe. The Bay Isle Home Laplant Solid Wood Over-the-Toilet Storage is our top pick because it offers the benefits of open and closed storage along with a chic design that adds an earthy touch to your space. At 10 x 27.6 x 66.8 inches, it will fit comfortably in most bathrooms. You can stash unsightly items like towels and toilet paper behind sliding doors while still displaying decorative objects like candles on the shelf. Made of solid bamboo wood, the Bay Isle Home Laplant Solid Wood Over-the-Toilet Storage is durable and beautiful. The warm, natural material provides a sense of softness to balance the hard, cold surfaces often in bathrooms, while its smooth lines and minimalist design feel contemporary and fresh. Product Details:
Material: Solid bamboo woodDimensions: 10 x 27.6 x 66.8 inchesWeight: 33 pounds
Price at time of publish: $250 Who it isn’t for: People who would rather keep their belongings hidden. Even on a tight budget, you can significantly increase the storage in your bathroom. The Rebrilliant Morningside Over-the-Toilet Storage offers two spacious open shelves for items like folded hand towels, potted plants, skincare products, and more. This pick has a lightweight metal design that’s easy to assemble and comes in two universal enamel-coated finishes that can suit most bathrooms. Opt for the white if you want it to blend seamlessly into a bright bathroom, or select the modern bronze if you’d prefer a statement piece. Either way, the simple design is a low-cost winner. Product Details:
Material: MetalDimensions: 11 x 23 x 54 inchesWeight: 4.3 pounds
Price at time of publish: $46 Who it isn’t for: People with a narrow space. If you want to display a few specialty items while keeping less elegant items out of view, this over-the-toilet storage unit is an ideal option that checks both boxes. This wooden over-the-toilet storage unit features a large cabinet with tempered glass doors for tucking away towels and personal items and an open shelf for styling decor. The glass allows you to easily spot and find your items, while the tempered detailing keeps them concealed for a less cluttered look. This pick from Spirich is best for modern and contemporary interior styles, as it boasts clean lines and a minimalist design. Product Details:
Material: Pine wood and medium-density fibreboardDimensions: 9.4 x 26.7 x 66.9 inches Weight: 42.9 pounds
Price at time of publish: $150 Who it isn’t for: People who need a more affordable option. Open shelves require maintenance, from tastefully arranging their contents to frequent dusting—but the payoff is great if you’re up for the challenge. With open shelves, you have the opportunity to punch up your bathroom by displaying decorative items like scented candles, vases of flowers, and framed art. The West Elm Streamline Over-the-Toilet Shelf is a worthy choice if you’re committed to open shelving. Its slim metal frame boasts a dark bronze finish, while engineered wood shelves are covered in a warm oak and mahogany veneer. The juxtaposition of materials offers a sleek, industrial vibe that seamlessly blends into contemporary homes. Product Details:
Material: Oak and mahogany veneer over engineered wood with metal frameDimensions: 7.8 x 26 x 61 inchesWeight: 20 pounds
Price at time of publish: $399 Who it isn’t for: People who prefer modern style and decor. Shiplap fans, the Pottery Barn Ainsley Over-the-Toilet Ladder is for you. Its farmhouse design adds rustic charm to any bathroom while providing handy semi-open storage. When we say “semi-open,” we mean that you can purchase the ladder as-is with three different-sized shelves or buy the accompanying woven baskets that partially conceal their contents for a tidier look. Made of solid hardwood, this over-the-toilet ladder has a finish of lacquer sealant, which is applied by hand to ensure the durability and water resistance of the piece. Plus, it’s easy to assemble, so you can skip the complicated handiwork. Product Details:
Material: Solid hardwoodDimensions: 15 x 29 x 75 inches Weight: 23 pounds
Price at time of publish: From $229 Who it isn’t for: People who want to stash items in closed shelving. If your hand towels have been sitting crumpled on the counter, consider installing the Utex 3-Tier Over-the-Toilet Bathroom Organizer, a wall-mounted shelving unit with three towel hooks. In addition to the trio of pegs for hanging towels, the medium-density fiberboard piece includes three open shelves that you can fill with beautifully-packaged skincare products, fancy perfume, and aromatic candles. This pick also comes at a budget-friendly price point, so you can upgrade your bathroom for less. The classic design comes in white and espresso colorways to suit a variety of decor styles, and the unit is easy to assemble and mount sturdily. Product Details:
Material: Medium-density fiberboardDimensions: 8 x 19.5 x 26 inches Weight: Not listed
Price at time of publish: $56 Who it isn’t for: People who want sleek, contemporary over-the-toilet storage. For tight spaces, you can’t do better than the Andover Hills Jesse Over-the-Toilet Storage. At just 22 inches wide, it can squeeze into just about any bathroom. But its narrow dimension doesn’t mean it lacks storage: Its two-door cabinet is one of the deepest on this list and it includes a full-extension drawer, a sought-after feature that few other over-the-toilet storage units have. If plentiful storage isn’t enough to convince you, turn your attention to the cute, cottage-style design that’s ideal for traditional homes. With the choice of a white finish with oil-rubbed bronze hardware or a gray finish with antique brass hardware, you can find the right tone that will match and enhance your bathroom. Product Details:
Material: Solid and manufactured woodDimensions: 11 x 22 x 72 inchesWeight: 57 pounds
Price at time of publish: $439 Who it isn’t for: People who have many items to stow away. Not everyone needs a ton of extra storage—sometimes one more surface is enough to level up your bathroom. If that describes your situation, then opt for The Twillery Co. Over-the-Toilet Storage. This piece is our favorite short over-the-toilet storage unit because it’s simple, affordable, and well-made. This single over-the-toilet shelf provides plenty of space for toilet paper, candles, and stacks of hand towels that can’t fit on the counter. It’s made of solid wood and manufactured wood, so it’s sturdy and reliable. With a crisp white color and modern traditional design, it’s the perfect finishing touch for a guest bathroom or powder room. Product Details:
Material: Solid and manufactured woodDimensions: 9 x 27 x 37 inches Weight: 14 pounds
Price at time of publish: $90 Who it isn’t for: Renters who can’t wall mount a cabinet. For all the open storage—but none of the dust—look to the Anthropologie Fern Bath Cabinet. This gorgeous arched floating cabinet is crafted with ash wood veneer shelves, tempered glass doors, and adorable brass-finished aluminum knobs. A single drawer opens on wooden glides, so you can still stash away a few private items. We love that the shelves are adjustable, so you can alter their height to accommodate taller bottles, vases, or artwork. While the interior is a natural wood tone, you can choose from white, sage, and black exterior hues, depending on the existing color palette in your bathroom. If you’re not super handy, there’s no need to worry—this cabinet does not require assembly. It includes mounting hardware and a ready-to-hang cleat, so you can get it up on the wall in no time. Product Details:
Material: Ash wood veneer and tempered glassDimensions: 10.25 x 24 x 32 inchesWeight: Not listed
Price at time of publish: $698 Who it isn’t for: People who want a traditional over-the-toilet storage system. “A floating, wall-mounted shelf is another nice option to show off more of the decorative items,” says Sokolowski. “This is a great place to put pieces that can be functional, as well as beautiful, such as candles, room spray, flowers, and art.” She recommends the Rejuvenation 10-Inch Arched Brackets and Shelf Set, which she frequently uses in renovation projects. This set comes in various sizes and finishes, so you can create a custom look for your space. Choose from American walnut, white oak, black stained, white stained, slatted walnut, or slatted white oak to pair with aged brass, oil-rubbed bronze, polished nickel, or unlacquered brass brackets. No matter which finish you pick, the design straddles contemporary and traditional in the most beautiful way. The plank-like shelf is modern and streamlined, while the arched brackets feature an old-world curve that works well in historic homes. Product Details:
Material: Multiple options availableDimensions: Multiple sizes available Weight: 1.36 pounds
Price at time of publish: $359
How to Shop for Over-the-Toilet Storage
Type
The first factor to consider when shopping for over-the-toilet storage is the type that suits your belongings and space. Closed storage, like cabinets, lets you hide away any unsightly items while preventing your items from collecting dust. “For maximum aesthetic appeal and to reduce visual clutter, I would recommend a closed storage cabinet if at all possible,” says Jung. Alternatively, open storage allows you to display decor and show some personality in your bathroom. If you prefer a minimal look, you can opt for hanging shelves or a floating organizer that reduces the amount of floor space taken by your storage unit—just keep in mind that these types of over-the-toilet storage might not be renter-friendly.
Size
As with any furniture purchase, it’s critical to measure your space before ordering an over-the-toilet storage unit online. Once you figure out the appropriate height, width, and depth for your piece, it’ll be easy to find one with the right dimensions.
Capacity
Before you purchase an over-the-toilet storage unit, think about how many items it will need to accommodate. If you have a lot of towels and products, a deep cabinet is the best choice, while open shelves work best for just a handful of decorative items.
Questions You Might Ask
What should you store above your toilet?
Any bathroom essentials that don’t easily fit in your vanity can be stored over the toilet. “Over-the-toilet shelving or cabinets can be a great place to store useful items like toilet paper or towels—especially in a small space without a linen closet—or decorative items to spruce up an often-overlooked area,” says Sokolowski.
How do you make over-the-toilet storage look nice?
When it comes to closed over-the-toilet storage, Sokolowski recommends customizing your piece with a rich coat of paint or chic knobs. She typically styles open shelves with scented candles, luxurious room spray, fresh flowers, and art.
Take Our Word for It
This article was written by Morgan Goldberg, a contributing writer for Real Simple with seven years of editorial experience in interior design, food, and travel spaces. She spent hours scouring the internet for the best over-the-toilet storage options and compiled this list based on type, size, capacity, and more. She also spoke to Clara Jung, principal designer at San Francisco’s Banner Day Interiors, and Amber Sokolowski, co-founder of Soko Dai Design Studio in Southern California.
