10 Best Over the Toilet Storage Ideas For Small Bathrooms
Last Updated on May 18, 2022 by toilethaven
Over the toilet storage units are an awesome way of storing some of your bathroom essentials. When done correctly, over the toilet storage can actually be used to accessorize your bathroom and not merely as a storage unit only.
While I understand that they these units are what their names suggests, it is a bad idea to load them up with literally everything you can find. This way your bathroom just ends up looking stuffy and uninspiring.
There are a couple of things you need to consider prior to buy an over the toilet storage unit as we are going to see later in this post. However, you must decide from the word go which type of a storage unit you want.
There are 2 types of over the toilet storage units/shelves. These are freestanding and wall-mounted over the toilet storage units.
Freestanding over the toilet storage units are most preferred to the wall-mounted ones because you just place them on the bathroom floor and no need to drill the bathroom walls. Most people don’t like messing with their bathrooms walls, and for good reason.
Let us now have look at the best over the toilet storage units and also see why you should buy them.
The Best Over-the-Toilet Storage Units are:
| Storage Unit | Toilet Clearance (inches) | Type | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Allzone Over The Toilet Storage Rack | Adjustable | Freestanding | White |
| 2. Tangkula Over The Toilet Storage Rack | 36 | Freestanding | White |
| 3. Giantex Over The Toilet Storage | 32 | Freestanding | White |
| 4. Viefin Over The Toilet Storage Rack | 34.5 | Freestanding | White |
| 5. Zenna Home 3-Tier Over-The-Toilet Storage | 35 | Freestanding/wall-mounted | Brown and black |
| 6. MyGift 3-Tier Ladder Shelf | 31 | Freestanding | Dark brown |
| 7. Fodue Industrial Pipe Rustic Bathroom Shelf. | N/A | Wall-mounted | Brown and black |
| 8. MyGift Over the Toilet Storage w/Magazine Basket | 34 | Freestanding | Black/white |
| 9. Utex 3-Shelf Over The Toilet Bathroom Organizer | 33 | Freestanding | White/gray |
| 10. Alaterre Furniture Dorset Toilet Base Storage | 34 | Freestanding | White |
1. Allzone Over The Toilet Storage Rack
I love this storage rack for how simple yet practical it is. For anyone with a small bathroom, this unit is one of those you should really consider.
To start with, the unit is completely easy to put together. You don’t need to be a handyman/woman to do it. It comes with easy-to-follow installation instructions and what is even more exciting is that you don’t need any tool to install it.
The unit is very sturdy because it is supported by both the floor and the ceiling. The guys at Allzone recognizes that different houses have different ceiling heights so they have made this unit to have an adjustable height. The height can be adjusted from 67 to 118 inches.
Apart from the height, its width is also adjustable. It comes with 4 shelves which can be adjusted from 22 to 33 inches in length and are 10.6 inches wide. Apart from that, you can adjust the position of each shelf up or down along the vertical poles. Each shelf can carry up to 22 pounds of weight.
This over the toilet storage unit is made from high quality steel and painted beautifully in white. It will therefore not rust and the paint will not peel off easily.
2. Tangkula Over The Toilet Storage Rack
If you are looking for an over the toilet storage that is spacious, sturdy and modern looking then this Tangkula rack fits the bill. Its frame is made from heavy-duty iron while the shelves are made from wood.
I like the fact that it combines 2 great finishes beautifully. The frame has a matte black finish while the shelves have a brown finish which will easily blend in with any bathroom design.
The 4 shelves are spacious both in depth and the distance between one and the next one which allows you to store more items. There is about a 12-inch gap between the shelves and a depth of about 10 inches. Each shelve can comfortably hold 33 pounds.
To make sure that this unit is sturdy enough, the manufacturer has designed it with 4 adjustable levelling feet. It there does not matter whether you are putting it on a carpet or an uneven floor. You just need to play around with the feet until you get a good balance.
Assembling this rack will not take you more than 30 minutes. It helps to enlist the services of a helper to just help you hold the shelves down as you screw them into the frame. Cleaning it is equally fast and easy.
In case you are wondering if it is going to fit over your toilet, the bottom of the lower shelf is 36 inches from the floor. You will therefore have about 3 inches of clearance to play with. Its overall dimensions are 9.5 inches depth, 23.5 inches width and 69.5 inches height.
3. Giantex Over The Toilet Storage
This is a 4-legged over the toilet storage cabinet made from wood and glass. It has 3 shelves with the lower one being open while the 2 top ones have doors. This is a great design to ensure that you store items frequently used on the lower shelf while those that are used once in a while are at the top shelves.
These storage cabinet is both sturdy and easy to put together. It will probably take you anywhere between 20 and 45 minutes to assemble it depending on your skill level.
It fits perfectly over the toilet and there is good clearance from the water supply line and shut off valve. The distance from the floor to the bottom of the lower shelf is 32 inches which is more than enough to go over any toilet. There is a 20-inch gap between the 2 pairs of legs which is more than the width of any toilet.
Even though the cabinet shelves are made from MDF, this unit is very solid and with thick legs hence will not wiggle at all. I also like the fact that you can use the top of the cabinet to store extra items or even put a flow vase. Its overall dimensions are 7.5 inches depth, 23 inches width and a height of 67 inches.
The smooth white finish compliments most bathroom décor and will also transition beautifully with the toilet. It also easy to clean as it has no rough surfaces. Overall I would say this storage unit is worth every penny.
4. Viefin Over The Toilet Storage Rack
If you have your toilet is in a tight spot and you don’t have loads of items to store then the Viefin over the toilet storage rack is a good option for you. It is 2-shelf rack constructed from 100% pine wood.
Apart from being a storage unit, this rack is beautifully crafted and nicely finished which also helps to accessorize your bathroom further. This is one of the reason why wood is such a great material for building. You can easily tell this is solid wood by just looking at it.
The rack is made in such a way that the base is a little wider than the top. This helps to evenly distribute its weight making it stable. Each of the 4 leg have an adjustment pad which screws in and out to help you adjust the height. The pad is made of rubber, preventing the wood from being in contact with the floor which can sometimes be wet/dump.
The rack is sturdy on its own and putting it together is easy enough to be done by anyone. It however comes with an anti-tip kit which attaches to the wall for extra sturdiness. This is especially helpful for people with kids.
The 2 shelves measures 25 inches by 7.5 inches and are 10 inches apart. Overall, the rack measures 10 inches in depth, 25 inches in width and 51.2 inches in height. The distance from the floor to the lower shelf is 34.5 inches. Its load capacity is 33 pounds.
5. Zenna Home 3-Tier Over-The-Toilet Storage
The Zenna Home over the toilet storage is 3-shelf rack made from metal and wood. Athough the wood is not solid wood but a laminate, it is very well finished and looks great. The metal frame is also well painted and will not corrode.
Assembling it together will take a while but is not complicated since it’s a straightforward task and there is also an easy-to-follow manual. You just need to be careful as it comes with many screws and you don’t want to lose any of them. If possible, have someone help you out most importantly to press the shelves down as you screw then in.
Although this is mostly sold as a freestanding over the toilet storage rack, Zenna Home has an alternative model which is wall-mounted. It is made from the same material as the freestanding one but with 2 shelves and a towel bar at the bottom.
It is great for people who don’t have enough space besides the toilet. Its dimensions are 9 inches depth, 20 inches width and a height of 27.5 inches.
Although the freestanding storage rack is sturdy on its own, Zenna Homes recommends that you mount it to the wall for extra stability and safety. They provide the necessary hardware to do that.
Its dimensions are 9 inches depth, 24 inches width and 66 inches wide. The shelves have a measurement of 22.75 inches width and 8.12 inches depth. The space between the shelves is 10.5 inches. There is a 35 inches gap between the floor and the bottom of the lower shelf.
6. MyGift 3-Tier Ladder Shelf
MyGift has really cemented its place as one of the best makers of rustic bathroom accessories. I love their products because I’m yet to come across a bad one. This ladder-style over the toilet storage shelf is no exception.
It is made from solid wood with a dark brown finish that will effortlessly complement any rustic and country-themed decor. Since it has only 2 legs just like the ordinary ladder, most people might be wondering how it is fastened up to make it stable and safe to use.
This storage unit comes with mounting hardware that allows you to secure it to the wall. The legs also have foot pads which prevent slippage and scratching on the floor.
The overall width of the unit is 23.25 inches, 15.75 inches depth and 66.5 inches in height. Each shelf has a length of 20.5 inches length, 7.75 inches depth and 1.5 inches in height. The space between 2 shelves is 7.5 inches. There is a 31 inches between the floor and the bottom of the lower shelf.
The only thing that may not work for you is if you have a really tall toilet. Most over the toilet storage units have at least a 33 inches gap between the floor and the lowest shelf so I feel like this one is a little shorter. Other than that it looks really good.
7. Fodue Industrial Pipe Rustic Bathroom Shelf.
This is a wall-mounted over the toilet storage shelf unit that is made from cast-iron industrial pipes and wood. Depending on your space and budget, you can opt to go with the 3-shelf rack or the 2-shelf rack. The difference in price is not that much though.
To be honest I am yet to come across anyone who does not like this style. It brings out this vintage look which looks so traditional yet so stylish. The pipes are painted black while the wood has a brown finish. The shelves are made of real wood and not MDF.
I wouldn’t say that assembling and mounting this shelf is a piece of cake since it comes in many small pieces. It’s not harder though, it just takes time. Some of the instructions given by the manufacturer can be confusing in my opinion. Best thing is to have a picture of the whole assembled thing and from there on figure out what goes where.
Once you are done installing it you will love it. I don’t have a specific number but I know it can carry good weight since it is all solid metal and wood. While you use the shelves to store anything that you might need, the lower pipe is a nice place to hang towels or anything else that needs hanging.
Another great feature about this unit is that it is not restricted to the bathroom only. You can mount it in the kitchen or library to use as a book shelf.
Its overall dimensions are 24 inches wide, 9.84 inches deep and 41.73 inches high. The shelves are 24 inches wide, 9.4 inches wide and with a thickness of 0.78 inches. The Space between the shelves is 12 inches.
8. MyGift Over the Toilet Storage w/Magazine Basket
This is a simple, cute and budget-friendly one-shelf freestanding over the toilet storage unit that is perfect for those who do not need a lot of storage space. It has a beautiful white finish which blends in perfectly with the toilet and other bathroom items.
If you love reading a chapter of a book before you sleep or scroll through different magazines as you do your business then this is the product for you. It comes with a removable magazine basket which you attach to the side of the shelf hence it is easy to reach.
Since this storage unit is not too tall, it is very sturdy and you will not need to mount it on the wall at all. Its 4 legs are also wide, occupying a large surface than the top which increase its overall stability. You will however need to put it together since it is not shipped whole. It won’t take you more than 30 minutes though.
The dimensions of the shelf are 22 inches long and 8.25 inches deep. The bottom wider section of the unit is 23.5 inches long and 11.5 inches deep. The overall height is 38.5 inches. From the floor to under the shelf there is 34 inches gap which will fit most if not all toilets.
9. Utex 3-Shelf Over The Toilet Bathroom Organizer
This storage could have easily be my best over the toilet storage unit were it not for one flaw that I will mention further below. Let us first start with the positives. It is a beautifully done storage unit with 3 big shelves but also compact to fit in a small bathroom.
It is made from wood which looks great and is very well priced. To be honest it is hard to find any other product that is this good and also competitively priced. I prefer the white finish but you can also go for the gray one too if it will go well with your style.
It is sturdy. The base of the unit is made a little wide to help with the weight distribution and as a result this unit will not wiggle. For your safety you could also attach it to the wall to prevent it from toppling over if say a kid pulled it to one side.
Now here is where I have a problem with it. On the wall behind you toilet is small knob called a toilet shut off valve. A water line runs from the valve to the tank. It refills the tank after each flush. This is where the problem is. The lowest crossbar gets in the way of the shut off valve.
I don’t know if this is the case with all bathrooms but it is a complaint I have heard. The way to go about it is to make up the whole assembly without that crossbar and only fix it as the last piece. That way you are able to play with the space and be innovative.
Other than that this is a great product and that is why I recommend it. Assembling it together is easy but will take time. The instructions are not the easiest to follow but if you look at the picture it will be very easy to know exactly what goes where.
It is 10 inches deep, 25.1 inches wide and 61.5 inches high. The shelves are 22.5 inches long and inches deep. The space between the first and the second shelf is 11 inches while that between the second and the third is 10 inches. Most toilets will comfortable fit under it because the distance from the floor to the lowest shelf is 33 inches.
10. Alaterre Furniture Dorset Toilet Base Storage
This is a simple but beautiful over the toilet tank table that is design for people who do not need a lot of storage space. It is made of solid wood with clean lines that add a crisp white finish.
Its 4 legs are thick enough which makes it very stable. You don’t need to secure it on the wall for extra sturdiness. Simply lift it over the toilet and put on it whatever you needed to. It however has wall-mount hardware just in case you need to especially if your floor is not even.
This storage unit looks great and is also well-made but I feel like it is a little overpriced. I understand that wood is expensive than MDF but still the price could be reviewed a little downwards.
It is 26 inches long, 8 inches deep and 37 inches high. The gap between the floor and the bottom of the shelf is 34 inches hence will fit most toilets comfortably. Its weight capacity is 75 pounds.
Over the Toilet Storage Buying Guide?
What should you consider while buying an over the toilet storage unit? These are the factors that I believe are important and you should pay a close attention to in order to end with the best over the toilet storage unit for you bathroom
1. Over the Toilet Storage Dimensions
Before buying an over the toilet storage unit, you need to be sure that it is going to fit over your toilet. So pick up a measuring tape and enter the bathroom. Measure the height of the toilet from the floor to the top of the tank lid.
Also measure the width and depth of the toilet and make sure that there is enough clearances on each side. As you shop for an over the toilet storage unit, make sure that its space below the lowest shelf is more than the height of the toilet.
Another thing to consider is the overall height of the storage unit. This can be critical if you are not a very tall person. You do not want to end with a unit with shelves that are too high to reach.
The distance between each 2 shelves is another important dimension to consider. If you intend to store some baskets on the shelves, you want to be sure that they are going to fit.
In this review, I have made sure that I have given you all the important dimensions to help you in your decision making.
2. The finishing
Of course you do not want your over the toilet storage to look out of place. You want to as much as possible create harmony with the existing bathroom fixtures. Take your time to imagine how you would want your bathroom to look and finally go for the finish that best complements your bathroom style.
3. Material
Over the toilet storage units are either made from wood or metal or both. It is a little tricky when it comes to wood. You will either have a solid wood storage unit or one made of MDF. Solid wood products are generally expensive than those made from MDF.
Take your time to check out what material the unit is made of to avoid disappointments at the end.
Conclusion
Over the Toilet Storage units are an amazing way of utilizing the space above the toilet especially for people with small bathrooms. As we have seen, it is not always that you need to go for free standing over the toilet storage units. You can as well go for wall-mounted shelves which do not interfere with your toilet at all. They also look more stylish.