8 Bathroom Closet Organization Ideas

8 Bathroom Closet Organization Ideas

by — Kari Apted
Published on August 4, 2021
Updated on March 20, 2025

We use our bathrooms at some of the most hectic times of day. Therefore, having an excellently organized bathroom is an essential time saver. Count yourself among the lucky if your home includes a bathroom closet or two.

Bathroom storage organization can help you and your family members stay on track, whether you’re heading out the door or getting ready for bed. Check out our collection of best bathroom closet ideas and select several to get your bathroom storage under control.

1. DIY Bathroom Closet Makeover

If you’re undergoing a bathroom remodel or renovation, it’s helpful to add a bathroom closet to your floor plan. Even a tiny bathroom probably has room for a small linen closet or an extra linen cabinet.

Two shelves with towels, baskets, and beauty products: Top shelf with folded towels and baskets; bottom shelf with beauty items and organized baskets — Source: @curtishousetohome via Instagram

Bathroom shelf with baskets, rolled towels, plants, and toiletries adjacent to a sink with a faucet and a wooden cabinet below — Source: @growing_sunshine via Instagram

A neatly organized linen closet with towels, woven baskets, and toiletries on white wire shelves — Source: @overstreetorganizing via Instagram

If it’s not possible to build a new bathroom closet, get a bathroom cabinet unit that occupies the space above the toilet. It’s also relatively easy to add a recessed medicine cabinet on an empty wall, as shown in this video:

When taking a DIY approach to bathroom storage, aesthetics and closet organization should be equally important. Add a beautiful wallpaper to the back bathroom closet wall to add some spice to any size bathroom closet.

Open shelving is another good bathroom storage solution in a small bathroom or powder room.

2. Elegant Bathroom Closet Designs

How you design your bathroom closet or linen closet should honor your personal aesthetic. For example, don’t use wicker baskets as a storage solution if your personal tastes lean toward modern, minimalist design.

Although you may wonder why it matters when it’s tucked behind a closet door, you will see these containers every day. You might as well make them visually pleasing as well as functional.

Organized shelves with various labeled toiletries and medicine in clear containers, including baby wash, lotion, sunscreen, and insect repellent — Source: @dina_organizes via Instagram

Organized linen closet with white towels, labeled bins, toiletries, and cleaning supplies on wire shelves — Source: @getminimized via Instagram

Bathroom shelves with folded towels, skincare products, cotton swabs, cotton balls, a small plant, and a wire basket — Source: @homesweetspaces via Instagram

Open closet with four shelves holding wicker baskets; white door to the right, beige walls, and a partial view of a patterned shower curtain — Source: @mamakrez7 via Instagram

Bathroom shelves with wicker baskets holding towels and toilet paper, a jar of cotton balls, and small potted plants — Source: @familyshiplapanddunn via Instagram

Linen closet with neatly rolled towels, glass jars with cotton balls and swabs, and baskets containing toiletries, tea, and toilet paper — Source: @interiorsbylisette via Instagram

Compact laundry closet with neatly stacked towels, detergents, and cleaning supplies featuring a cat sitting on a basket inside — Source: @rhc1368 via Instagram

Organized closet with toiletries in clear bins and neatly folded towels on shelves — Source: @savingcentbycent via Instagram

Tall cabinet with open doors, wooden interior, and several shelves holding boxes and assorted items in a well-lit bathroom — Source: @tidyfox via Instagram

Bathroom closet with shelves organized with toiletries, cleaning products, toilet paper, and small storage bins — Source: @tidyfox via Instagram

In a spacious bathroom, it’s attractive to add a built-in closet that looks like a freestanding wardrobe with cabinet doors and drawers.

However, a basic linen closet can be designed well on the inside, with beautiful, labeled baskets full of toiletries, and neatly stacked rows of linens. Clear bins can help you see what’s inside, but opaque bins help the area look less cluttered.

3. Innovative Doorless Closet Solutions

Since the word “closet” generally indicates a closed-door storage area, it may seem odd to mention a doorless bathroom storage idea. However, in some cases, a doorless linen closet is a good idea.

Popular for quite a while in Europe, the concept of an open closet is now showing up in American home design.

Hallway with shelves holding towels, baskets, and decor, a sign with an inspirational quote hangs on the wall near a bathroom — Source: @tidyfox via Instagram

Tall bathroom shelf with towels, plants, decorative items, and books; adjacent towel rack and a small counter with a green plant — Source: @houseofnebu via Instagram

Organized linen closet with towels, labeled bins of toiletries, and two white baskets on the bottom shelf; black door partially open — Source: @indianapolisneat via Instagram

White shelves with black wire baskets, towels, potted plants, and a "hello there gorgeous" sign, with patterned floor tiles visible — Source: @ourverybradyfarmhouse via Instagram

Bathroom sink with wooden shelves, stocked with toiletries, paper rolls, and red apples; a potted plant sits above the mirror — Source: @rustic4ever via Instagram

Because you eliminate the space occupied by a door, fitting a closet opening with attractive wood shelving can actually increase the storage room in a small bathroom.

Of course, when your closet organization is on display, your bathroom storage solutions must have a tidy appearance. Replace wire shelves with a wooden built in shelving unit and use a black wire basket to hold your shower essentials.

4. Linen Closet Arrangement Ideas

Many times, the linen closet becomes the home’s catch-all closet, much like the junk drawer in the kitchen. Linen closet organization often requires a deep purge of items before attempting to organize them.

Cull every seldom-used bath or hand towel and donate the pile to your local animal shelter. Throw out rarely-used soap or shower gel and cleaning product containers that are nearly empty.

Organized closet with towels, toiletries, and labeled bins on shelves; white walls and wood floor — Source: @cleanlinesorganizinganddesign via Instagram

Organized bathroom closet with labeled bins, towels, and bathrobes neatly arranged on shelves — Source: @clutterconquered via Instagram

Neatly organized linen closet with towels, toiletries, and tissue rolls in baskets on shelves — Source: @darylanneestill via Instagram

Organized closet with labeled baskets, towels, toiletries, and cleaning supplies on wire shelves — Source: @hmade_studio via Instagram

A neatly organized bathroom cabinet with bins holding toiletries, lotions, sprays, and various personal care items on shelves — Source: @jand_o via Instagram

Organized linen closet with folded sheets and labeled baskets on wire shelves — Source: @kbarrettstyling via Instagram

A neatly organized linen closet with baskets containing toiletries, towels, and hygiene products on white wire shelves — Source: @lifestylebyco via Instagram

A neatly organized closet with labeled bins for teeth, travel, and hair items, along with first aid supplies on the bottom shelf — Source: @livingsimplypgh via Instagram

A neatly organized closet with shelves holding toiletries, towels, and baskets filled with personal care items — Source: @natysnook via Instagram

White cabinet with labeled storage bins and folded towels on the shelves, the cabinet doors are open — Source: @neatfreakmckinney via Instagram

Linen closet with folded white and gray towels, woven baskets, toilet paper, and decorative jars on shelves — Source: @nita_home via Instagram

A neatly organized linen closet with white baskets and wicker baskets filled with pillows, blankets, and linens — Source: @ourhappyfarmhouse via Instagram

Organized linen closet with folded towels, cleaning bottles, and storage bins on wire shelves — Source: @smartspacesbyeliisa via Instagram

Bathroom closet with two wicker baskets, rolled towels, patterned container, and toilet paper on wire shelves; toiletries in a wire basket — Source: @thenorthwoodnest via Instagram

Organized closet with folded towels, baskets of toiletries, toilet paper, and a small plant on shelves — Source: @vimbai_creations via Instagram

Inside the linen closet is a good place to store extra packages of toilet paper. Instead of just stashing unopened packages inside, stack the toilet paper rolls neatly on a shelf or toss them into a large wire basket on the linen closet floor.

5. Streamlined Closet Organization

An organized linen closet or bathroom closet needs bins or baskets to separate items into like categories. A lazy Susan can help you reach toiletries in a closet with deep shelves.

If you really need to expand your storage space, hang narrow racks or a shoe organizer on the inside of the door. These small cubbies are plenty big enough for extra bars of soap, razors, hair accessories, and the like.

Open white closet with organized shelves holding towels, cleaning products, toiletries, and baskets in a bathroom setting — Source: @cleanhouse.tink via Instagram

Organized linen closet with labeled wire baskets holding towels, washcloths, and guest items; top shelf has wicker baskets and decor — Source: @methodicalmuses via Instagram

Open closet with labeled bins for travel, dental, medications, makeup, and a basket for towels; hanging organizer on the door — Source: @yellowcottageliving via Instagram

A neatly organized closet with folded clothes on shelves and striped bins below, a bathroom counter partially visible on the right — Source: @closets_by_kay via Instagram

Neatly organized shelves with towels, baskets, toiletries, and household items arranged in a linen closet — Source: @grey_jasmine via Instagram

Organized closet with black baskets, storage drawers, toiletries, and neatly folded towels on shelves — Source: @justjenniesjourney via Instagram

A neatly organized closet with labeled baskets, bins, and office supplies on white shelves, including folders, markers, and paper rolls — Source: @lizhollemanorganizingsolutions via Instagram

A neat bathroom closet with white wicker baskets, toiletries, and a basket of neatly rolled towels; shower fixtures on the left — Source: @mghomeorganizing via Instagram

Organized bathroom closet with towels, skincare products, toiletries, and essentials neatly arranged on shelves, white door ajar — Source: @neatrules via Instagram

Linen closet with neatly stacked towels, toiletries on shelves, and light blue bathrobes hung on the inside of the door — Source: @northatlantaneat via Instagram

Linen closet organized with stacked towels and various toiletries on lazy susans, including shampoo, lotion, and body wash — Source: @organizedbyjm via Instagram

Linen closet with towels, wicker baskets, storage containers, toilet paper rolls, and a small mirror on a shelf — Source: @spacesbylindsey via Instagram

Organized closet with labeled bins of toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies on wire shelves — Source: @time4organizing via Instagram

Always seek out alternative storage solutions to make bathroom linen closet organization easier. For example, hang a shower caddy in the shower to free up extra space for closet linen storage.

Also look under the bathroom sink and organize any open storage space there. Label storage bins and line them up in alphabetical order for greater ease in finding what you need.

6. Creative Shelving for Bathroom Closets

The area over the toilet is often underutilized when it comes to small bathroom linen storage. It’s a great place to hang floating shelves and display baskets of rolled bath towels. Hang a towel bar beneath the lowest shelf and you have a great place to hang extra hand towels.

White bookshelf with decor: candles, plants, geometric shapes; oval mirror on the right; towels and storage baskets at the bottom — Source: @dezishem via Instagram

Organized pantry with wooden shelves holding baskets of toiletries, including lotions, mouthwash, and hygiene products — Source: @norganizedlife via Instagram

Open cabinet with neatly organized shelves containing medications, bottles, and hygiene products — Source: @ocdorganizingbymeredith via Instagram

Linen closet with white towels, wire baskets, and labeled woven storage bins neatly organized on shelves — Source: @orderleighhome via Instagram

Organized bathroom cabinet with clear labeled containers holding medical supplies, toiletries, toilet paper, and cleaning products — Source: @orderly.organizing via Instagram

Organized shelves with white baskets, spinning racks of bottles, and neatly rolled towels in a woven basket — Source: @organize_prioritize via Instagram

Open bathroom cabinet with shelves holding various hair and skincare products, a basket on top, and a hairdryer on the bottom shelf — Source: @organizedbyjm via Instagram

Bathroom cabinet with organized shelves, featuring blue baskets holding toiletries like lotion, toothpaste, and medicine bottles — Source: @ourjourneymoments via Instagram

Bathroom shelves with towels, basket, toiletries, a small mirror, and a first aid box; white wall and bathtub visible — Source: @ourkrooknook via Instagram

Organized closet with folded towels, cleaning supplies, and storage bins on shelves, against a dotted wallpaper background — Source: @paloma.culver via Instagram

When organizing a bathroom closet filled with shelves, don’t forget to utilize the space between the floor and the bottom shelf. This can be the perfect place for the toilet plunger, paper towels, and other cleaning products. One of my top cleaning tips is to organize all your cleaning supplies very well – it makes it so much easier to find the motivation to clean!

7. Smart Bathroom Storage Solutions

It’s surprising how much you can fit into a tiny bathroom closet when everything is neatly stored. Get creative with your bathroom linen closet organization containers. Glass jars, small metal buckets, and small serving trays are all attractive vessels for your bathroom necessities.

A neatly organized closet with white and teal storage bins on shelves, some labeled for hair, travel, and dental items — Source: @logansprojects via Instagram

Organized shelves with baskets, jars, and containers holding various household items against a marble-patterned background — Source: @anythingmadley via Instagram

Organized closet with labeled bins for beauty, shampoo, vitamins, face, bath, towels, and more against a spotted background — Source: @arrayedbyerach via Instagram

Organized closet with neatly stacked towels, storage bins, and boxes on white shelves — Source: @goodcleanfunction via Instagram

Bathroom cabinet with wicker baskets organized on shelves, toiletries on the sink, and a gray towel on the door handle — Source: @neat.homeservice via Instagram

Open closet with white shelves, holding baskets, toiletries, and hygiene products; hanging cat-shaped metal hook on the wall — Source: @neatsmart via Instagram

Open closet with shelves holding woven baskets, towels, and storage bins, organized neatly — Source: @pursuinghome via Instagram

Organized medicine cabinet with labeled bins: Cold & Flu, Immune Support, Tummy, Kid's Meds, and two closed white baskets below — Source: @unclutterco via Instagram

Organized closet with neatly stacked towels, labeled baskets of toiletries, and toilet paper rolls; white door partially open — Source: @serenityathomedetroit via Instagram

In a small water closet, your only option to store towels might be under the sink. If you’re struggling to find storage space inside a small bathroom, it’s fine to store your bathroom items in another room.

Move your linens, towels, and cleaning supplies into the laundry room or tuck them behind a kitchen cabinet door.

8. Towel Closet Optimization Techniques

The first step in organizing bath towels may be getting rid of any that are stained or tattered. After reducing your collection of towels, stack the keepers neatly inside your main or master bathroom linen closet.

Organized linen closet with labeled fabric bins and neatly folded towels on shelves — Source: @beeorganizedsfbay via Instagram

Neatly organized bathroom shelf with stacks of white towels and assorted toiletries below — Source: @beyondtheclosetnaples via Instagram

A well-organized closet with white towels and toilet paper rolls on wire shelves, and a wicker basket at the bottom — Source: @getminimized via Instagram

A neatly organized linen closet with labeled bins of fitted sheets, bath towels, beach towels, regular sheets, and pillowcases — Source: @happy.life.styling via Instagram

Open closet with neatly organized shelves, featuring wicker baskets, wire bins, and stacks of folded white towels — Source: @indianapolisneat via Instagram

Linen closet with neatly stacked towels, a labeled bin, and a storage basket; blue door with black handle partially open — Source: @lets.sort via Instagram

White towels neatly folded in three woven baskets on two shelves inside an open white cabinet — Source: @organizedbyjj via Instagram

Neatly folded white and beige towels stacked on white wire shelves in a wooden cabinet — Source: @organizedbyjj via Instagram

Neatly organized linen closet with rolled towels in various colors on shelves, including blue, teal, pink, and brown, small baskets included — Source: @sortingsistas via Instagram

Hanging closet organizer with folded clothes, next to shelves with blankets and a storage bin — Source: @storageworksusa via Instagram

You can also roll towels instead of folding them. A large basket filled with rolled towels looks nice tucked beneath a pedestal sink, and it frees up space in your bathroom closet for less attractive items.

You may find it helpful to color coordinate towels and use a separate color for your master bath, hall bathroom, and kids’ bathroom.

Read also: Towel Storage Ideas

What goes in the bathroom closet?

Anything you would call “bathroom essentials” should go inside your bathroom closet. Towels, wash cloths, extra toilet paper rolls, soaps, shampoos, and lotions are just some of the items that are handy to store in the bathroom or linen closet. Organize your bathroom cleaning supplies on a designated closet shelf.

Should a linen closet be in a bathroom?

The answer to this question depends on personal preference and the amount of storage space in your home. If a bathroom closet is the only space big enough to hold your extra sheets, blankets, and pillows, it may be the logical place to store your linens. However, if you have an open shelf in your bedroom closet, that may be a more convenient place to store bed linens and pillows.

How far apart should shelves be in a bathroom closet?

Ideally, you should space bathroom closet shelves 12 to 16 inches apart. This allows enough room for storage baskets, stacks of folded towels, and tall cleaning supply bottles.