We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Home Products Furniture The Best Over-the-Toilet Storage, Tested and Reviewed Stylish and convenient ways to store the necessities in your bathroom. By Kat de Naoum Kat de Naoum Kat is a writer, editor, author, SEO specialist, and mother based in the UK. She has over 10 years of commerce writing experience and has written for a variety of publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, Food & Wine, Southern Living, Shape, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Parenting. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 02, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict Our Testing Process How to Shop More to Consider FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Stephanie Petit Extra storage space is welcome in every home, especially in a bathroom where you may not want your toiletries and personal hygiene products taking up the entirety of your bathroom vanity. Some bathrooms, however, simply don’t have the space for additional cabinetry around the sink—this is where over-the-toilet units come in particularly handy. “Bathrooms, especially in rentals, tend to be the rooms where people struggle most with storage,” says Benjamin Fix, CEO and co-founder of sproos!, the first home improvement brand for renters. “One of the best ways to overcome this is by maximizing your vertical space and combining shelving and cabinets that fully optimize storage, especially above the toilet." To come up with a list of the best over-the-toilet storage, we tested 15 of the best options on the market, considering factors such as each unit’s type, material, size, capacity, durability, functionality, and overall value for money. We also spoke with Fix and Leah Tuttleman, certified Allied American Society of Interior Designers for Re-Bath, for advice on how to choose the best over-the-toilet storage for every bathroom. Our Top Picks Best Overall Over-the-Toilet Storage: UTEX 3-Shelf Bathroom Organizer at Amazon $63 Jump to Review Best Budget Over-the-Toilet Storage: SALE Godboat 2-Tier Over Toilet Storage at Amazon $49 $33 Jump to Review Best Leaning Over-the-Toilet Storage: West Elm Modern Leaning Over-The-Toilet Cubby at West Elm $199 Jump to Review Best Cabinet Over-the-Toilet Storage: SALE Spirich Home Over-the-Toilet Cabinet at Amazon $170 $126 Jump to Review Best Versatile Over-the-Toilet Storage: Azmall Over The Toilet Storage at Amazon $70 Jump to Review Best Wood Over-the-Toilet Storage: Songmics 3-Tier Bamboo Over Toilet Organizer at Amazon $75 Jump to Review Best Tall Over-the-Toilet Storage: Rolanstar 4-Tier Over-The-Toilet Organizer at Amazon $60 Jump to Review Best Over-the-Toilet Storage With Hooks: Homykic Bamboo Over The Toilet Storage at Amazon $90 Jump to Review Best Overall Over-the-Toilet Storage UTEX 3-Shelf Bathroom Organizer PHOTO: Amazon $63 at Amazon $66 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond Our Ratings Setup 4.5/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4.8/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 What Stands Out It’s sturdy, has plenty of room, and is easy to assemble. What Could Be Improved It takes a while to set up, and you’ll need your own screwdrivers. The minimal and stylish Utex 3-Shelf Over-The-Toilet Organizer is our top pick thanks to how easy it was to put together, how much it can hold (the bottom shelf can comfortably fit eight rolls of toilet paper), and its universal style that can fit right in with most bathroom decor (it comes in four different wood colors: white, gray, dark espresso brown, and wood grain). The instructions for how to put the unit together were understandable, and everything was clearly marked with an assigned letter or number. There were a lot of pieces and screws to put together, though, so setup took quite a while, even with two people helping. We also needed to use our own screwdrivers (both Phillips and flat-head). The product description online said that the bottom shelf was adjustable, but during assembly, we only saw one option for where to put the shelf. Despite this, the storage unit held so much more than we were expecting, allowing us to free up a ton of bathroom counter space. We put a makeup mirror, hand towels, wash cloths, a cotton swab holder, tissues, and decorative items inside and managed to make it look organized. The large shelves make it really easy to move things around without losing any storage room. It’s an excellent value, super convenient, and looks great. Material: MDF wood | Dimensions: 61.5 by 25.1 by 10 inches | Weight: 22.8 pounds Real Simple / Cathy Fallone Real Simple / Cathy Fallone Real Simple / Cathy Fallone Real Simple / Cathy Fallone Best Budget Over-the-Toilet Storage Godboat 2-Tier Over Toilet Storage PHOTO: Amazon $33 at Amazon View on Ibspot.com Our Ratings Setup 4.8/5 Capacity 4/5 Quality 4.2/5 Design 3/5 Durability 4.5/5 What Stands Out It’s great for those needing a little extra storage but have limited bathroom space and budget. What Could Be Improved The unit isn’t wall mountable, so it has to be removed manually if tank access is needed. This small and handy over-the-toilet unit comes with an equally small price for those on tight budgets. We tested out the two-tier option, although it’s also available in one- or three-tier models, in either black or white. The unit took less than 15 minutes to put together, and came with all the necessary tools for us to do so. The instructions weren’t great, but it’s not the hardest of units to put together with setup being pretty intuitive. The storage unit is quite small (a little smaller than the toilet tank) but it adds an extra, and often much-needed, storage shelf. The higher shelf is limited in what it can hold due to the surrounding ledge, but we managed to fit a few smaller items on there. Storing and retrieving items are easy due to the open design of this unit, and the ledge on the top shelf prevents items from falling off. The unit’s location and size didn’t impact the use of the toilet at all, although we’d have to remove it completely for tank access. There are suction pads at the feet of the unit and metal bars that sit between the back of the toilet and the wall to prevent it from being accidentally knocked off. Material: Alloy steel | Dimensions: 12.2 by 12.6 by 6 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds Real Simple / Stephanie Petit Real Simple / Stephanie Petit Real Simple / Stephanie Petit Best Leaning Over-the-Toilet Storage West Elm Modern Leaning Over-The-Toilet Cubby PHOTO: West Elm $199 at West Elm Our Ratings Setup 4/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4.8/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 What Stands Out It’s a well-made, sturdy, and durable item that has plenty of storage but doesn’t feel bulky or in the way. What Could Be Improved It’s quite pricey and takes a while to put together. For a stylish and well-made leaning over-the-toilet storage option, we recommend this West Elm Modern Cubby. The Scandinavian-style unit won us over due to its sturdiness and the sheer amount of storage space it offers. It has plenty of room for all bathroom necessities, and we were even able to display a few miscellaneous decorative trinkets. To be more precise, we stored seven bottles/jars including shampoo, hair oil, lotion, and perfume, a candle, a handheld mirror, a large display box, and a couple of acrylic makeup organizers on the shelf—and there was still a lot of room left over. The shelves are also very wide, so even thicker towels could fit comfortably on the bottom or middle ones. The design of the storage unit makes it very accessible, and it was easy to store and remove items from the shelves. The unit didn’t feel like it was in the way or taking up a lot of space, and it didn’t block access to any part of the toilet. Putting it together, however, wasn’t as easy as we’d hoped; it took over an hour to assemble but came with everything necessary for setup. The screws took quite a bit of elbow grease to get into the pre-drilled holes, but the instructions were clear and easy to follow. Overall, it’s a high-quality item that, once assembled, is built to last. Material: Wood | Dimensions: 79 by 28 by 12.4 inches | Weight: 34.6 pounds Real Simple / Molly Blanco Real Simple / Molly Blanco Real Simple / Molly Blanco Best Cabinet Over-the-Toilet Storage Spirich Home Over-the-Toilet Cabinet PHOTO: Walmart $126 at Amazon $126 at Walmart View on Bed Bath & Beyond Our Ratings Setup 4/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4.5/5 Design 4/5 Durability 5/5 What Stands Out Its glass tempered cabinet doors can keep personal bathroom items neatly hidden from view. What Could Be Improved The bottom of the shelf comes a little close to the top of the toilet tank. If you’d rather not have most of your personal bathroom items on full display, then you might want to opt for this model, which has two roomy and height-adjustable shelves hidden behind tempered glass doors. The doors open and close easily, and there are magnetic strips to hold the doors closed, keeping them flush with all your items safely inside. The unit is quite tricky to put together (it took two people almost two hours), but the instruction booklet is thorough, includes pictures, and is easy to understand. You will, however, need a drill and screwdriver for setup. Once we put it up, we found the unit to be extremely sturdy and well-made. It fit a whole lot of bathroom necessities in the cabinet and also on the bottom shelf. The only downside is that the bottom of the shelf comes a little close to the top of the toilet tank; although we could access and remove the tank lid, we had to be careful not to get our fingers caught in the process. The toilet lid was able to completely open, though, and the shelving did not interfere with that at all. The unit’s design suits both traditional and modern bathrooms, and it’s available in either white or espresso brown. Material: Engineered wood, pine, glass | Dimensions: 66.92 by 26.77 by 9.4 inches | Weight: 42.9 pounds Real Simple / Katherine Polcari Real Simple / Katherine Polcari Real Simple / Katherine Polcari Best Versatile Over-the-Toilet Storage Azmall Over The Toilet Storage PHOTO: Amazon $64 at Amazon Our Ratings Setup 4/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4/5 Design 5/5 Durability 5/5 What Stands Out It can be adjusted many ways to suit your personal needs and bathroom space. What Could Be Improved It’s not the most stylish item on our list. For renters or those who aren’t in their forever home but need extra bathroom storage space, the Azmall Over-The-Toilet 4-Tier Bathroom Organizer is ideal. It’s easy to assemble, and its four shelves can be adjusted to suit your needs (for example, if you have a lot of taller bottles to store, you can make more space between the shelves to accommodate their height) and bathroom space (you can lower the shelving if you have a hanging toilet water tank). The unit is super functional; we were able to put lots of towels, lotions, cleaning products, and toilet paper on it. While it’s not as attractive as some of the other options on our list, its metal design gives it an industrial look that is quite stylish. We managed to spruce it up a bit, too, by adding decorative items, like vases, fake plants, and scented candles. We were impressed with how sturdy the unit felt, and it also came with four shelf liners. Items were easily stored and retrieved due to the open design of this unit, and the ledges on two of the shelves ensured that items didn’t fall off. The unit even comes with hooks for hanging hand towels, toilet paper, loofahs, and other items. We were also pleased to note that the size of the unit did not interfere with the ability to access the toilet in any way. Material: Iron | Dimensions: 65 by 25.6 by 13.8 inches | Weight: 8 pounds Real Simple / Stacey Wegner Real Simple / Stacey Wegner Real Simple / Stacey Wegner Best Wood Over-the-Toilet Storage Songmics 3-Tier Bamboo Over Toilet Organizer PHOTO: Amazon $75 at Amazon $43 at Walmart View on Bigbigmart.com Our Ratings Setup 4.3/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4.8/5 Design 4/5 Durability 4.5/5 What Stands Out The unit is sturdy, offers a lot of storage space, and is reasonably priced. What Could Be Improved It’s a little bulkier than some of our other tested picks. The beautiful and minimalistic Songmics 3-Tier Over-The-Toilet Organizer is attractive, convenient, and easy to assemble. It’s made from natural bamboo and feels both durable and sturdy. Setup was a one-person job, and everything needed for assembly came with it, including easy-to-follow instructions. The unit can easily fit small storage baskets, toilet paper, and toiletries. Even taller hair product bottles and extra body wash tubes were stored without any issues. Although it’s a great-looking unit, it doesn’t feel as good of a physical fit as some of the other options we tested. For instance, its size is a little bit wider than the toilet tank, so sometimes when sitting down we would feel the unit against our back. It also took a while to get used to it being there, so we would still hit our elbows on the legs of it when reaching for toilet paper. It feels a little bit in the way, but at the same time, it offers a satisfactory amount of storage space. It also looks great (like one of those staged in-store IKEA studio apartments). Also, if the shelf is set on the lowest hole, you cannot lift up the toilet tank lid. That said, the unit feels pretty sturdy for being open shelving. It fits firmly on the floor and doesn't wobble (although it would definitely feel more secure attached to the wall with the provided pieces). Material: Bamboo | Dimensions: 64.2 by 24.8 by 10.2 inches | Weight: 12.1 pounds Real Simple / Cara Milhaven Real Simple / Cara Milhaven Real Simple / Cara Milhaven Best Tall Over-the-Toilet Storage Rolanstar 4-Tier Over-The-Toilet Organizer PHOTO: Amazon $57 at Amazon $58 at Wayfair View on Allmodern.com Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Capacity 4.5/5 Quality 5/5 Design 4.8/5 Durability 3/5 What Stands Out It’s a great way to utilize more upward space in a bathroom. What Could Be Improved The shelf height is not adjustable. If you happen to have high ceilings in your storage-deprived bathroom, you’ll want to make the most of them. The Rolanstar 4-Tier Over-The-Toilet Organizer is a super-tall unit at 68 inches high, offering four spacious shelves for all your bathroom bits and bobs. While the depth of the shelves, at under 10 inches, isn’t wide enough to store folded bath towels, they do fit washcloths and hand towels. It has a minimalist style, so we added some attractive baskets to the shelves to hold healthcare products, a basket of menstrual products, hair products and tools, and a small tray of skincare and bath products. We found that there was adequate space for everything without the unit looking cluttered and overcrowded. The top shelf, which is quite high, is best for decorative items that you don’t need to reach often, like potted plants and reed aroma diffusers. There’s enough clearance between the tank and the bottom shelf of the unit to lift the lid of the tank and adjust the flapper valve if necessary. Indicative of its low price, this unit is not the sturdiest item we tested, even though we anchored it to the wall, so it might need replacing with a more robust permanent option down the line. But it’s a great inexpensive unit for renters or more temporary bathroom storage, or for those who like the minimal industrial aesthetic and don’t plan on overloading it. Material: Engineered wood | Dimensions: 68 by 23.6 by 9.4 inches | Weight: 16.8 pounds Real Simple / Emily Teel Real Simple / Emily Teel Real Simple / Emily Teel Best Over-the-Toilet Storage With Hooks Homykic Bamboo Over The Toilet Storage PHOTO: Amazon $78 at Amazon Our Ratings Setup 5/5 Capacity 5/5 Quality 4.5/5 Design 4.5/5 Durability 4.2/5 What Stands Out It's easy to assemble, there are many color options to choose from, and its minimal design suits most bathroom decor schemes. What Could Be Improved The bottom support bar needs to be put on after you’ve put the shelf in place, and that can be a bit tricky in a tight space. With three shelves and metal hooks for towels or hanging baskets, the Homykic Bamboo Over-the-Toilet Organizer is an affordable, practical, and space-saving option that will look good in most bathrooms, thanks to its minimal aesthetic. It comes in six different colors, too. The unit’s shelves can fit a whole lot of stuff—two rolls of toilet paper deep and high (16 total on one shelf), air fresheners, several toilet storage baskets, and a large basket with extra towels. There was still enough room leftover for decorative items like fake plants. Assembly was super straightforward, and the instructions had clear photos that identified each part thoroughly. All the pieces are finished on all sides, so you won't accidentally have any unfinished pieces facing out. The only problem we faced with setup was putting in the bottom support bar, which needs to be added after the shelf is in place. This was quite hard to do in a small bathroom. The unit didn’t feel in the way when we used the toilet, and there’s around 7 to 10 inches between the water tank lid and the bottom shelf of the unit, so it didn’t inhibit access to the tank at all. The toilet seat lid didn’t touch the bottom of the shelf, either; in fact, there was still 2.5 inches of space between them. While it’s not the sturdiest unit, it didn’t feel like it was going to topple over. For its low price, the unit offers an excellent value for money, and it’s pleasing to the eye, too. Material: Bamboo | Dimensions: 66.73 by 24.8 by 10.24 inches | Weight: 90 pounds Real Simple / Jessica Comstock Real Simple / Jessica Comstock Real Simple / Jessica Comstock Final Verdict The reasonably priced Utex 3-Shelf Over-The-Toilet Organizer came out on top during testing because it was easy to assemble, had a lot of room for bathroom necessities, and felt sturdy. The Godboat 2-Tier Toilet Organizer, however, is an attractive and inexpensive pick suitable for any size bathroom. Our Testing Process To come up with our list of the best over-the-toilet storage options, we tested 15 units in real, at-home settings over a period of two weeks. We evaluated factors such as each unit’s type, style, size, capacity, durability, sturdiness, effectiveness, and overall value for money. We began by evaluating how easy each unit was to unbox and put together, as we as how long this took. We noted whether any tools were needed for setup, if these were provided in the box, and how easy the unit was to hang or install, and again, how long it took us to do so. We tested and considered how well we were able to access the items on or in the unit, how well we were able to open the toilet’s tank or if the storage had to be removed in order to access it, and how far we were able to open the toilet’s lid or if the storage interfered with this at all. We noted how many objects we were able to fit in the storage unit and what, if any, types of items wouldn’t fit or stay in place. Other aspects we considered were the ease of opening any cabinets or drawers, ease of accessing each part of the storage unit, and ease of cleaning. For storage with toilet paper holders, we also recorded whether large jumbo rolls fit onto the holder and if they were able to unroll easily. Real Simple / Cathy Fallone How to Shop for Over-the-Toilet Storage Type Over-the-toilet storage options come in several types. These include closed cabinet options with doors, open shelving and racks, and even corner units. Some are freestanding with a base that rests against the floor on either side of the toilet, while others need to be wall-mounted. Most times, choosing the best type of over-the toilet storage for your needs comes down to personal preference. “Consider whether you prefer open shelving for easy access (racks, floating shelves, etc.) or closed cabinets (standing shelves work great) for a sleek and tidy appearance,” Fix says. “Think about your bathroom's decor and choose a style that easily blends into your aesthetic. Is it a more retro style? Bohemian? Minimal and modern? This will dictate the kind of materials and styles you opt for.” Fix also suggests thinking about functionality and your personal needs. “Whether you live alone, with a partner, or have a large family, you’ll need different capacities of storage. If you’re stuck for inspiration, try doing a deep dive in TikTok! Tags like #toiletstorage, #bathroomstorage, and #bathroomrefresh all have endless ideas that will help elevate your space.” Size Over-the-toilet storage can come in several different sizes, but these are usually around the width of the toilet, give or take a few inches on either side. “You’ll want to consider the visual balance of the storage piece in relation to the size of your bathroom,” Tuttleman says. “A size that compliments the bathroom and looks proportionate to your toilet will be aesthetically pleasing and functional all in one. Measure the area above your toilet to determine the maximum dimensions that the storage unit can occupy. Consider both the height and width of your space. Shelves should not be too deep, and you can customize shelves to the exact depth between 6- and 12-inches.” Fix says that your over-the-toilet storage should fit the available space without overwhelming the rest of the bathroom. “Try to make sure you have at least 12 inches of clearance between the bottom shelf and the toilet, providing ample space for a comfortable and visually pleasing fit while also making sure you can still easily access the flush,” he says. Capacity The size and capacity of the over-the-storage unit you go for will largely depend on how much you need to store. “Take time to really think about the items you would like to store above the toilet,” Tuttleman says. “Most over-the-toilet storage cabinets house toilet paper, tissue boxes, toiletries, extra towels, and even cleaning materials. It can be the overflow storage space for extra bottles of bathroom essentials such as toothpaste after a Costco shopping day.” Fix suggests checking out units that have adjustable shelves or cabinets to accommodate various items, from towels and toiletries to decorative pieces. “Prioritize a design that maximizes storage while maintaining a streamlined look in your bathroom,” he says. Real Simple / Taylor Gilkison More Over-the-Toilet Storage to Consider Yaheetech’s Over-The-Toilet Storage Cabinet: This option has a cabinet to keep your more private bathroom necessities hidden and comes in four colors (navy blue, white, gray, and espresso). There’s also an open shelf for items you want to access more freely. It’s not adjustable in any way, but the height of the shelves were adequate to fit even slightly taller bottles. The unit’s height did not block access to the water tank, either. That said, it was a little wobbly and didn’t feel as sturdy as some of the other options we tested. Although the wall anchors help it feel more secure, it is not always possible to install them (if you’re renting). Umbra’s Bellwood Over-The-Toilet Organizer: This model has a cute and modern design, but it’s quite expensive for what it offers. Assembly was straightforward, but no instructions came with the box (you have to print them online via a QR code). The shelves aren’t adjustable, but the top and middle shelves are farther apart than the middle and bottom, allowing for items of various sizes. There’s plenty of space between the tank lid and the bottom shelf, and we could even still use the tank lid as an extra shelf if needed. The unit doesn’t hold as much as we were hoping—our folded fluffy bath towels were just hanging over the edge—and it wasn’t super sturdy, though it didn’t feel like it would topple over. Despite being lightweight, the unit feels fairly well-made and looks attractive, but we’re not entirely sure it’s worth the almost 200 bucks. Real Simple / Katy Stovall Questions You Might Ask What material is best for over-the-toilet storage? “For over-the-toilet storage, moisture-resistant materials like metal or stainless steel will offer both durability and a modern aesthetic while being easy to clean and disinfect,” Fix says. “These materials can also withstand the humidity that builds up in bathrooms. If you’re looking for something unique or colorful, glass or acrylic options can add a sleek and modern touch to your bathroom.” Tuttleman says that in addition to proving useful, your personal style can be reflected in your choice of an over-the-toilet unit: “Sleek minimalist designs in simple shapes work well in a contemporary bathroom, while ornate doors with curved glass cutouts, crown molding, leather details, dark wood, and strong statement hardware will work in traditional spaces. Rustic charm or the cabin-inspired look made of weathered wood or reclaimed materials invoke a sense of warmth to the space." What are the best things to store in over-the-toilet storage? Units with doors can be used to keep personal hygiene products safe, hidden, and out of the way. These can include sanitary items, wipes, air fresheners, oral hygiene products, and medicines. They’re also a good place to put things that need to be out of the reach of children since they’re located quite high up. (Do be careful not to overcrowd your over-the-toilet unit, however, as you might find yourself having to fish out fallen items from the toilet bowl.) Tuttleman says that open shelving can be used for practical purposes. “These are a great place to store rolled-up towels, extra linens, and soaps in baskets,” she says. You can also add decorative items. “Shelving is a great spot for some pretty accessories,” Tuttleman says. “I suggest scented candles, oil diffusers, or potpourri in a basket to keep your bathroom smelling pleasant.” As another idea, Fix suggests adding a small piece of artwork for a touch of creativity to the bathroom. “Baskets and storage containers also work great here to cluster everything neatly,” he says. How can you make over-the-toilet storage look nicer? “This all depends on the style you’re going for in your bathroom,” Fix says. “For instance, we’ve seen some DIYers use upcycled wooden ladders for a more boho/farmhouse look. You can incorporate decorative hooks or pegs to hang towels or accessories. Wicker baskets or minimal wooden storage bins can add texture and visual interest.” He also points out that many people like to showcase their plant collections on over-the-toilet storage units. “Many plants thrive in the humidity of bathroom environments, like snake plants, small ferns, and prayer plants,” Fix says. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, we tested 15 of the most popular and best-selling over-the-toilet storage units, considering factors such as each product’s type, size, material, style, functionality, ease of assembly, and overall value for money. Kat also spoke to Benjamin Fix, CEO and co-founder of sproos!, the first home improvement brand for renters, and Leah Tuttleman, certified Allied American Society of Interior Designers for Re-Bath, for their expert advice on shopping for over-the-toilet storage. 15 Furniture Pieces and Organizers With Clever Storage Solutions to Keep Your Home Tidy