27 Bathroom Shelving Ideas for Storage and Display

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 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.

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Hang a Shelf Above the WC

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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Use Mobile Shelves

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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Match Shelving to Fixtures

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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Use a Bath Tray

@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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Install a Wide Shelf

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.

35 Creative Bathroom Organizing Ideas to Help You Declutter Instantly

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Add a Vanity Shelf

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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Use Contrasting Materials

@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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Try Corner Shower Shelves

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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Carve Out a Niche

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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Choose Marble Shelves

@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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Use Floating Shelves

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.

The 24 Best Small Vanities That Will Dress Up Any Tiny Bathroom

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Adapt What You Have

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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Install a Room Spray Shelf

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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Add Double Wall Niches

@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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Match Shelves to Walls

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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Hang Wicker Shelves

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.

65 Small Bathroom Ideas for a Major Style Upgrade in a Little Space

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Make Use of Window Space

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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Add a Shelf With Hooks

@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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Use a Bench as a Shelf

@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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Include a Shelf Guard Rail

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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DIY a Plywood Plant Shelf

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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Try Geometric Shapes

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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Choose a Shelf Mirror Combo

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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Use Scavenged Wood

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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Add a Standalone Sink Shelf

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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DIY a Towel Holder Shelf

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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Repurpose the Toilet Shelf

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.