How to Survive a Small Bathroom - On the Cheap - Perfect for Renters

Whether you own your home or rent, small bathrooms can be a huge source of stress especially first thing in the morning.

But what do you do when renovations are not in the budget? Or if you rent and your landlord doesn't want any DIY?

There are creative ways to create space even in this tiny space by utilizing every square inch.  Below are just a few examples of how you can do just that.

Toilet Paper Storage and Such

I wanted to keep toilet paper in the bathroom.  I was getting sick of yelling for someone to get it for me from the hall closet or other personal items.

 I came across this cool little skinny cabinet that will fit in that space between the toilet and the wall or the toilet and the vanity or sink.

Using vertical space is the best way in any small room but especially the bathroom.

Shower Curtain Storage

Yes you can even store things in the shower curtains!

This one has pockets on the inside to make it easy to grab the product you want without shelves or anything else taking up space.

They drain... so no worries about them filling with water.  This is an awesome use of space.

Get all those bottles off the floor or the corners and find exactly what you are looking for.  This is a small investment to keep things organized, and they are not in the way when not using them.

Over the Door Storage

The back of the door can house a lot of items for your bathroom.  Everything from towels to products to whatever you need.

These fit over the door and do not interfere with the opening and closing the door and do not cause any damage, which is important if you are renting.

Online is the perfect place to shop for over the door storage ideas.  You just have to decide the type of things you need to store and decide whether you want plastic pocket, or actual shelves for towels or what you need.

But this one below is a great affordable option.


  Back of the Door Cabinet

This one is more extensive in its storage abilities and actually works with the door hinges instead of over the door.

But you can see from the picture this would work wonders in a small bathroom.  It is also mirrored.  But because it doesn't take drilling or DIY damage, you can take it with you when you leave, this is especially good if you are renting your space.

Think of all the storage you would have?  This one is more of an investment but could house a lot of your things.

All your cosmetics, and a mirror in one place.

Over Cabinet Hair Tools

These tend to get tangled everywhere, especially in the morning.  If you do not have much space on your vanity you could use this to hold them when not in use.

Easy to grab and safer for letting cool down.

Pedestal Sink Storage

If your small bathroom came equipped with a pedestal sink, don't despair! You can still use the space under the sink for storage with this slide in metal shelf. 

I found this online and though it was a wonderful way to store thing you would normally sit on a vanity top.

It comes with two shelves and you can use the front bit for a hand towel bar.  It is good looking and would be handy.  Plus the added benefit of taking it away when you move.


Cabinet Style Under the Sink Storage

Maybe you don't have a pedestal style sink but a single sink coming right out of the wall.

Either way this cabinet can simply slide in underneath creating all kinds of storage especially if you prefer it to not be on show.

If you need to store personal items, using this cabinet system that simply slides in under the sink will create all kinds of space for towels and many other items.

The beauty of this, is it can simply be moved with you when you leave.


Surviving a Small Bathroom - Bit of Creativity and Use of Vertical Space 

Since you may not have the width for using all the floor space, then use that dead space under things, such as the sink and behind the door.

If you did any of the above, you would have storage space between your toilet and your wall, the shower curtain, the back of the door, and under the sink.  There are so many ways to create just that little bit of extra space so that bathroom supplies can stay in the bathroom and not down the hall!

Budget Buster Small Bathroom Storage Ideas

If your budget is super tight, there are other options that are just as creative if you can do a bit of DIY.

A sink skirt will create instant under the sink storage that doesn't have to be seen and will instantly clean up and unsightly mess you keep under there.  For under 10 bucks you can get one of these skirts in many colors.


Over the Toilet Storage that Holds Everything!

For under 40 bucks, you can get this over the toilet wire storage set that holds literally everything you will need in the bathroom.

Shelves, hooks for towels, toilet paper holder and more.

Depending on your storage needs, this could be the only purchase you need to make.  No DIY, simply put it in place and you have access to everything.  It is not as bulky as cabinet styled ones, and will still look light and airy in a small bathroom.

I have one of these.  Best things ever, and my advice is to go to the dollar store and get little plastic baskets to hold small cosmetic items or other smaller items that would fall through the shelves.  This will also add some color to your space and look tidy.

There are many DIY projects that will work in a small bathroom too, especially Mason Jar Storage Ideas for the bathroom as a way to store your things and also look cool. CLICK HERE to see a bathroom mason jar storage idea you could make.

Hopefully the ideas above have got your imagination running on high.  Everyone is different in what they need to store in this space.  So make a list, and get working on creative ways to use those little bits of space.  My favorite is the shower curtain with pockets!

Certainly makes cleaning the bathroom much easier now that you don't have to move all those bottles!

You can survive a small bathroom!