Behind The Toilet Shelf Vs Cabinet: Which Is Better For Your Bathroom?

From getting ready for the day to elaborate self care nights, we all spend a good chunk of our lives in the bathroom. So, keeping the space clean and organized is important. And while there are a handful of genius bathroom storage solutions, shelves and cabinets are the obvious go-tos for keeping extra towels, toilet paper, and toiletries easily at hand. One common spot in the bathroom for adding storage solutions is over the toilet — it makes use of vertical space in a busy area. But do you go with over-the-toilet shelving or cabinets? 

Both shelves and cabinets will add storage and declutter the countertops in your bathroom, but knowing which storage solution is right for your specific setup can be tricky. Aspects like the size of your bathroom and the amount of items you're trying to store will all factor into the decision. You will also need to consider your design preferences as shelves and cabinets offer very different looks. Floating shelves, for example, offer an airy, open vibe and allow you to display small decor items and plants. Cabinets, on the other hand, conceal all of your items and contribute to a clean, minimalist look. 

Open shelving offers many benefits, especially in a small or oddly-shaped bathroom where closed cabinets may not fit. You can add custom-cut shelves to all kinds of strange nooks and crannies that would otherwise be unusable space. For example, if your toilet sits back in a small alcove, you can run shelves between the two side walls above the toilet. Shelving is versatile since you can place items directly on it or add bins and storage containers. Additionally, open shelves are a cost-effective option, and they keep your bathroom essentials easily accessible. Choosing decorative containers for those bathroom must-haves keeps the shelves pretty and organized. If you have a lot of greenery and plants in your bathroom, shelves are a great way to put them on display without taking up precious floor or counter space.

On the other hand, open shelving has a tendency to look cluttered the second one item is out of place. Of course, there are ways to add shelves to your bathroom without contributing to visual clutter, but if you're storing an abundance of items, these tips might not work. Another downside to open shelving is that it leaves your items exposed to moisture. This could be a problem for items like toilet paper, which may turn soggy after a hot shower. If there's a nearby window, the sunlight could also affect the quality of cosmetics and perfumes displayed on the shelf.

One of the main advantages of cabinets is their ability to hide unsightly or disorganized items. By storing your bathroom essentials behind closed doors, you can avoid any hint of visual clutter. Those closed doors also help keep essential items like toilet paper dry and protected from moisture, dust, and sunlight. Additionally, cabinets come in a variety of designs and colors, so you won't have trouble finding one that fits your aesthetic. Features like in-cabinet lighting, frosted glass doors, adjustable shelving, and lazy susans can all be incorporated into your cabinet design. In most cases, you can store far more items in a cabinet than on a shelf without worrying about it looking cluttered.

The downside of these cabinets is that they're often quite large and may not be suitable for smaller bathrooms. Not only do they take up lots of wall space, but they can feel bulky visually, making your bathroom feel closed-in. You'll typically find standard sizes without as much opportunity for customization. They also often come with a much higher price tag than shelves do, especially if you're opting for a custom design. And although having the extra storage space is nice, it can make it harder to access items that have been pushed to the back of the cabinet.