Storage cabinets for compact bathrooms
Between toiletries, medications, cleaning supplies and decor, it’s easy for a small bathroom to appear cluttered. And, if you don’t have the right storage solution, that clutter can turn into a disorganized, unsightly mess.
Whether you’re redecorating the powder room or outfitting your master bath, proper storage will transform your bathroom into a neat, aesthetically-pleasing space. From wall-mounted medicine cabinets to freestanding and behind-the-door units, we narrowed down the top picks for conserving space in the bathroom.
Shop this article: Kohler CB-CLC1526FS Single Medicine Cabinet, Decadom LED Mirror Medicine Cabinet, Vasagle Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet.
Types of bathroom cabinets
Bathroom storage cabinets come in three varieties: wall-mounted, freestanding, and behind-the-door. Technically, some vanities have cabinet storage, but we’ll consider those a different kind of furniture.
- Wall-mounted: Wall-mounted cabinets can keep your small bathroom from feeling cramped since they don’t take up valuable floor space. They can have a recessed or surface installation. Recessed cabinets are installed in the wall for a built-in, streamlined look. However, the installation process is more labor-intensive than with surface cabinets. Recessed cabinets are great if you’re remodeling a bathroom with a contractor who can take care of installation for you.
- Freestanding: Freestanding cabinets take up floor space in the bathroom, but they usually offer more versatile storage; some have drawers and organizational components, whereas wall-mounted cabinets tend only to have shelves or cubbyholes. A narrow vertical or shallow horizontal cabinet is ideal for a small bathroom. Freestanding cabinets installed above the toilet have particularly small footprints.
- Behind-the-door: Behind-the-door cabinets install in a way that makes them look built into the door; they usually have hinges that move them away from the door to access your bathroom items and toward the door to tuck away nicely. This type of cabinet provides an impressive amount of vertical storage.
What kind of storage do you need?
Think about how you’d like to store and organize your bathroom items. Open shelving and cubby holes let you display bathroom decor, fancy soaps, scented candles and the like. Open storage also gives you easy access to your most-used toiletries and bathroom accessories; depending on the size, they’re also convenient for storing towels you can grab after coming out of the tub or shower.
Drawers are better for storing less aesthetically-pleasing items and things you don’t need daily, such as extra toilet paper and bathroom cleaner. Medicine cabinets are similarly helpful for storing bathroom items discreetly.
Material matters
High-quality bathroom cabinets with mirrors are typically built with corrosion-resistant, anodized aluminum and tempered glass, which is less likely to shatter. Mirrorless cabinets made of metal are the most durable, though wood cabinets are more popular. Kiln-dried hardwoods are the strongest options, while engineered wood is comparatively sturdy and costs significantly less.
Best slim cabinets for bathrooms
Kohler CB-CLC1526FS Single Medicine Cabinet
This medicine cabinet has beveled edges for a more embellished look. Crafted from anodized aluminum and tempered glass, it has two adjustable interior shelves and a flexible installation process; you can position the door hinge to the left or right and choose either a surface or recessed installation.
Sold by Amazon
Kohler 81145-DA1 Maxstow Frameless Medicine Cabinet
This mirror’s dark gray color, staggered interior shelving and frameless design give it a sleek, modern aesthetic. There are two adjustable shelves inside. In terms of installation, the wall cabinet features two-way hinges and surface or recessed mounting options. It contains anodized aluminum and tempered glass.
Sold by Amazon
Decadom LED Mirror Medicine Cabinet
This high-end medicine cabinet is packed with advanced features. The mirrored cabinet is made from anodized aluminum and tempered glass with three adjustable shelves. Its LED lights with adjustable brightness and color temperature are perfect for applying makeup in the bathroom. Other highlights are a digital clock, defogging mirror, room temperature display and a dual USB port for charging your devices as you get ready.
Sold by Amazon
Cabidor Classic Behind The Door Medicine Cabinet
This tall, shallow medicine cabinet is the ultimate space saver. It has six adjustable, open shelves and a storage capacity of as many as five medicine cabinets. The engineered wood unit connects to your door via a hinge; this design conceals the contents when the cabinet is pushed against the wall, giving the appearance of a cabinet door.
Sold by Amazon
Tangkula Bathroom Medicine Cabinet
This modern bathroom cabinet provides more storage than typical medicine cabinets. It has three adjustable interior shelves, and you can display decor or pretty bathroom items on the exposed six-tier shelving. Built from engineered wood, this unit comes in white or black.
Sold by Amazon
Vasagle Bathroom Floor Storage Cabinet
This shallow freestanding cabinet features stylish paneling for a simple yet elegant look. The engineered wood cabinet has two adjustable shelves, available in brown, light gray, dark gray and white.
Sold by Amazon
Haotian Floor Standing Tall Bathroom Storage Cabinet
This tall bathroom cabinet boasts plenty of vertical storage. Two tasteful shutter doors reveal adjustable internal shelves. Paired with a single drawer and an open shelf, this cabinet is both visually interesting and versatile. This engineered wood model comes in dark gray or white.
Sold by Amazon
Vasagle Bathroom Storage Organizer
This paneled storage cabinet is attractive in its simplicity. Crafted from engineered wood, it has two adjustable shelves and a top drawer.
Sold by Amazon
Spirich Over The Toilet Storage Cabinet
This over-the-toilet storage cabinet has a simple yet chic silhouette with decorative paneling in white or brown. The cabinet houses an adjustable shelf paired with a spacious open ledge.
Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
- The cozy chenille Gorilla Grip Bath Rug comes in 10 sizes and 42 colors — extensive options to suit a variety of bathrooms.
- This Trident Bath Towels set includes bath towels, hand towels and washcloths (two of each) made of soft, plush cotton, available in 19 colors.
- The Yoooahu Beach Bathroom Decor features beautiful oceanic creatures in vivid teal.
- Keep your toothbrush, soap and other toiletries organized with the cute patterned Virtune Pastel Bathroom Accessories Set, available in green, navy blue, pastel blue, pale pink and lavender.
- The P.F. Candle Co. Scented Rattan Reed Diffuser will keep your bathroom smelling fresh; it comes in seven lush scents, including sandalwood rose and sweet grapefruit.
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Amy Evans writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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