How To Make The Most Of The Space Above Your Toilet

Whether you have a small bathroom or just like to make the most of every space in your home, you may want to ensure that you're not leaving the area above your toilet bare. From practical uses to aesthetic additions as well as options that are perhaps unexpected and creative, there are various ways that you can transform this sometimes overlooked space.

Indeed, when decorating your bathroom, you might first focus on aspects like the paint color on the walls, the lighting fixtures, or what kind of tiles you'd like in your shower. However, you'll surely see the benefits of taking advantage of seemingly random yet surprisingly useful spots like the one above your toilet. As Kerrie Kelly, the founder of a design lab and studio that goes by her same name, explained to Today, "The more solutions you use to keep items off the floor and countertops, the less cluttered and bigger the space will look." Of course, in order to truly make the most of the space above your toilet, you'll need to decide what use of this specific spot best suits your style, your needs, and your particular bathroom.

Shelves are certainly handy to have around to store your toiletries. However, we understand if you don't want everything on display. In that case, you may want to consider a storage unit that fits over your toilet but includes both shelves and a cabinet. For instance, the Pinecrest Freestanding Over-the-Toilet Storage which is sold for $99.99, has a classic wood design and mostly white finish that would work with a number of bathroom styles. If there's any concern about it tipping, the piece comes with hardware to safely secure it to the wall.

Shelving with legs that extend on either side of a toilet doesn't suit every bathroom layout or may not be to your particular taste. In that case, you might prefer sleek independent shelves. The Senjie Floating Shelves Wall Mounted with Storage Basket and Protective Guards which are sold for $25.99 to $31.99 depending on the color of the wood, offer spots for toilet paper, small towels, beauty products, and more. Along with black steel frames that keep everything secure, the wood shelves come in light brown, dark brown, rustic brown, white, and black.

Add a creative touch to your bathroom that may also put a smile on your face by hanging up quirky wall art. Frankly, it might be impossible to resist this eye-catching design printed on waterproof canvas with fade-resistant ink that also boasts a retro aesthetic and dynamic color. Costing $18.56 for an unframed version, this Black Cat Bathroom Wall Art is also sold with a frame for $40. Both options are 16 by 24 inches which means that it should fill the space above your toilet nicely without visually overwhelming the area.

If you don't have a linen closet or simply like to keep towels close at hand when you're in the bathroom, then you should definitely consider placing a rack in the space above your toilet. Instead of typical shelves, the $28.99 JOIN IRON Wall Towel Rack with a black finish includes three roomy curved sections that are perfectly suited for rolled towels. This means the towels will look nice which is a definite plus since they're out in the open for anyone in your bathroom to see.

There's no doubt that nature is filled with beautiful things which is why items that you can find outdoors can also look incredible in your home. When it comes to your bathroom, you can add real plants or, for those who don't have a green thumb, you can opt for faux versions. For $18.99, the Artificial Eucalyptus Wall Hanging Decor is a handmade piece that features fake leaves hanging in rows from a single branch that is suspended by a thin rope. There is also a second option that includes wooden discs and costs $25.99.

While some people apparently use their phones while on the toilet, what do you do if you leave your device behind? That's the situation that inspired the KAIRNE Forget Your Phone Bathroom Sign which includes a toilet-themed word-search puzzle to keep people busy while they're taking care of business. Sold for $15.99, the canvas item is hung with a wood frame. Just remember: don't get too distracted by this addition to the space above your toilet, otherwise, you might make a mess if you don't pay attention to what else you're doing.

The space above your toilet is not only the perfect spot to store things, but it's also a highly visible spot for anyone who visits your bathroom. That's why you can use it to show off your personality and style in fabulous and fun ways that might surprise you. For instance, get yourself an almost sculptural piece to hold your toilet paper. Although that could be something that's cute, chic, or classic, there's also the black metal Bigfoot Toilet Paper Holder Stand that's sold for $30.99 and can fit eight full rolls.