Bathroom Storage Units: Smart Storage for Awkward Bathroom Spaces

Every bathroom has spaces that are easy to overlook.

The gap beneath the basin. The narrow strip beside the toilet. The corner between two walls. The space behind the WC. These areas may seem too small or awkward for standard bathroom furniture, but with the right storage unit, they can become genuinely useful.

Bathroom storage units are designed to make the most of these tricky spaces. Whether you need extra room for cleaning products, spare toiletries, towels or toilet rolls, the right unit can help you add storage without making the bathroom feel crowded.

What Is a Bathroom Storage Unit?

A bathroom storage unit is a standalone or semi-fitted piece of furniture designed to add extra storage to your bathroom.

Unlike a vanity unit, it does not usually include a basin. Unlike a standard bathroom cabinet, it is often designed for a specific space or storage problem. This could be under the basin, beside the toilet, in a corner, against a slim wall or above the floor in a wall-hung design.

Bathroom storage units are especially useful when your existing furniture is not doing enough. They can help fill unused gaps, hide clutter and make everyday items easier to store.

Why Bathroom Storage Units Are So Useful

Bathrooms often need to store more than people expect. Toiletries, towels, toilet rolls, cleaning products, skincare, hair tools, medicines and spare supplies all need somewhere to go.

Without proper storage, these items often end up on windowsills, basin edges, bath ledges or the floor. A well-chosen storage unit helps keep everything contained and makes the bathroom feel calmer and easier to clean.

The key is to choose storage that fits the space you actually have, rather than trying to force a standard cabinet into an awkward gap.

Storage for Under the Basin

The space beneath a basin is often wasted, especially in bathrooms with a pedestal basin.

An under-sink storage unit is designed to fit around the pedestal or pipework, turning the unused area below the basin into practical closed storage. This can be a good place for cleaning products, spare hand wash, toilet rolls and everyday bathroom supplies.

When choosing an under-sink unit, check the width of your basin and the shape of the cut-out. A 500mm basin will usually need a unit around the same width, while a larger basin may need a 600mm or wider option.

It is also worth checking the depth, especially in smaller bathrooms where the unit must not block the walkway.

Storage Beside or Behind the Toilet

The area around the toilet is another common place where space goes unused.

A slim storage unit can fit beside the toilet, giving you room for spare rolls, cleaning products or smaller toiletries. This is especially useful in cloakrooms and compact bathrooms where there is not enough space for a larger cabinet.

Back-to-wall WC units can also create a cleaner, more fitted look. These units conceal the cistern and pipework inside a cabinet, with a flat surface above. Depending on the design, they may also offer hidden storage or a useful ledge for small bathroom items.

A back-to-wall unit is usually more involved to install than freestanding storage, so it is best planned as part of a bathroom update or renovation.

Corner Bathroom Storage

Bathroom corners are often difficult to use well. A standard rectangular cabinet may project too far into the room, while open space can quickly become wasted.

Corner storage units are designed to fit into the angle between two walls, helping you make better use of a space that might otherwise be left empty.

They can work well in small bathrooms, cloakrooms and ensuites where floor space is limited. Depending on the design, they can be used for toiletries, spare products, cleaning items or rolled towels.

Slim Bathroom Storage Units

Narrow gaps can be surprisingly useful if you choose the right furniture.

A slim bathroom storage unit can fit into spaces that are too narrow for a standard cabinet. This might be the gap beside a doorframe, between a toilet and a wall, next to a radiator or at the end of a furniture run.

Slim units are ideal for smaller items such as toilet rolls, spare toiletries, cleaning sprays and bathroom accessories. In tight bathrooms, they can add valuable storage without making the room feel overloaded.

Wall-Hung Storage Units

Wall-hung storage is a smart choice if you want to keep the floor clear.

Because the unit is fixed to the wall, the space underneath remains visible. This can help a small bathroom feel more open and also makes cleaning the floor easier.

Wall-hung units work particularly well in modern bathrooms, cloakrooms and ensuites. They are useful when you need storage but do not want the room to feel heavy or crowded.

Before choosing a wall-hung unit, check that your wall is suitable and that the correct fixings are used for the wall type.

Tall Bathroom Storage Units

If floor space is limited, think vertically.

A tall bathroom unit can provide a lot of storage while using only a small footprint. This makes it ideal for towels, spare toilet rolls, larger toiletries, cleaning products and bulk bathroom supplies.

Tall units work well in family bathrooms where storage needs are higher. They can also help take pressure off the vanity unit, so everyday items and larger supplies are not all stored in the same place.

For a coordinated look, choose a tall unit that matches your vanity, mirror cabinet or wider bathroom furniture collection.

Bathroom Storage for Small Spaces

Small bathrooms benefit most from carefully chosen storage units. When space is limited, every gap needs to work harder.

The best approach is to match the storage to the space. If you have a narrow gap, choose a slim unit. If the floor feels crowded, choose wall-hung storage. If the basin area is underused, consider an under-sink unit. If you have a free vertical wall, a tall unit may give you the most storage for the least floor space.

Try to avoid choosing furniture that is too deep or too wide for the room. A unit that technically fits can still make a small bathroom feel cramped if it blocks movement or sits too close to other fittings.

Should Bathroom Storage Match Your Vanity Unit?

If your storage unit will be seen alongside your vanity, it is usually best to choose a matching or coordinating finish.

For example, a white gloss vanity will often look best with white gloss storage. A wood-effect vanity can work well with storage from the same range or a similar tone. Matching handles, finishes and proportions can make the room feel more planned.

If the storage unit sits in a separate part of the bathroom, an exact match may matter less. However, it should still feel like it belongs in the same room.

For the most coordinated result, look at bathroom furniture sets or pieces from the same collection.

Can You Fit Bathroom Storage Units Yourself?

Some bathroom storage units are straightforward to fit, while others need professional help.

Freestanding units, slim units and many under-sink units may only need basic assembly and positioning. Wall-hung units need more care because they must be securely fixed to the correct wall type.

Back-to-wall WC units are usually more complex because they involve toilet plumbing and cistern installation. These are best fitted by a qualified plumber or experienced installer.

Always check the product instructions before installation and make sure the unit is suitable for your bathroom layout.

Bathroom Storage Unit FAQs

What is the best bathroom storage for a small space?

The best storage for a small bathroom depends on the gap you have available. Slim units are useful for narrow spaces, wall-hung units help keep the floor clear, under-sink units make use of the area below the basin and corner units fit awkward angles. Choose storage that matches the space rather than forcing in a standard cabinet.

What is an under-sink storage unit?

An under-sink storage unit is designed to sit beneath a basin, often with a cut-out that fits around a pedestal or pipework. It turns the space below the basin into useful storage for toiletries, cleaning products and spare bathroom essentials.

What is back-to-wall bathroom storage?

Back-to-wall bathroom storage usually refers to a WC unit that conceals the toilet cistern and pipework inside a cabinet. It can create a neater, more fitted look and may provide a useful surface or hidden storage depending on the design.

Can I fit a bathroom storage unit myself?

Freestanding and some under-sink storage units can often be fitted with basic DIY skills. Wall-hung units need secure fixing to the correct wall type, while back-to-wall WC units usually require a plumber because they involve toilet plumbing.

What size storage unit fits under a basin?

The storage unit should usually be close to the width of the basin. For example, a 500mm basin will often suit a 500mm under-sink unit, while a 600mm basin may need a 600mm unit. Always check the product dimensions and cut-out shape before buying.

Do bathroom storage units need to match the vanity?

They do not have to match exactly, but a coordinated finish usually looks better if the units are visible together. Choosing pieces from the same range can help the bathroom feel more planned and avoid mismatched whites, greys or wood-effect finishes.

Make More of Your Bathroom Space

A bathroom storage unit can turn unused space into practical storage.

From under-sink units and slim cabinets to corner storage, wall-hung designs and tall bathroom units, there are plenty of ways to make your bathroom work harder without overcrowding it.

Browse Plumbworld’s range of bathroom storage units, bathroom cabinets, tall bathroom units and vanity units to find storage that fits your space and suits your style.

Plumbworld has been helping customers create better bathrooms since 1999, with free standard UK delivery, a price match promise, 365-day returns and a 4.8/5 Trustpilot rating from more than 75,000 reviews.

Big brands, small prices.