How To Increase Bathroom Cabinet Storage Space With A Hidden Solution

By Meadow St. Clair
modern bathroom with round vanity mirror and gray cabinet Joseph Hendrickson/Shutterstock

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If you've ever wished that your bathroom had more storage space, you are not alone. Keeping your bathroom clutter-free is easy when you have ample storage space. But what are your options when you don't? The answer is simple: You find creative ways to make use of the space that you have. And even if your bathroom has an awkward layout or only a few inches between the bathtub and the toilet, there are always ways to add space to areas, including walls, under the sink, and even a few unexpected places. One such area includes a false drawer. 

These are cabinet drawer fronts (often with pulls), without actual drawer boxes behind them. Often, manufacturers add these drawer fronts for aesthetic reasons, as they actually don't serve a purpose, but simply offer a more complete look to the design. In many cases, you can remove the false drawer from your bathroom cabinet and install a tip out tray, such as this Rev-a-shelf option. 

This tray easily mounts to the back of the drawer and acts as a mini storage bin to store small items for quick and easy retrieval. These trays are inexpensive, with some starting as low as $24, and can be installed in a couple of hours or less. So if you have a false drawer in your bathroom cabinet and have been looking for extra storage space, this affordable tray may be the unexpected bathroom storage hack that you didn't know existed. In addition to the tray, you'll also need an power drill, hammer, and trim puller for this project.

Mounting a tip out tray to your false drawer

@buildtomade

Got a false drawer? Let’s make it functional! We’re turning it into a tip-out tray using the 14” kit from @Rev-A-Shelf. First, trace the back of the drawer with a chalk pen. To remove the false drawer, use a trim puller - it’s perfect for wedging it out. Be sure to take out any nails. As a dad, always expect the unexpected 🙂. The hinge template is super easy to use. Drill two holes at each corner of your trace. Predrill and grab a bagel sandwich, but hold off on driving in the screws, we want a little flex. Do the same for the cabinet opening. For those tiny screws, a Phillips head screwdriver works best - just go slow and steady. I love using a right-angle ratchet screwdriver; it’s one of those tools you rarely need but is perfect for tight spots. This tray is great for storing sponges, lighters, candy - whatever you need. Hope this was helpful. Catch you later!

♬ original sound - Build to Made

If your drawer already has a tip-out feature, you can skip the drawer removal and hinge attachment step and just drill the tray into the back of the drawer. But if it doesn't, start by tracing the back of the drawer with a chalk pen. Next, take your trim puller and wedge it behind the drawer. Tap the back of your puller with your hammer to push the drawer forward and pull it out. Then remove any nails from it. 

Next, take the screws that came with your tray and drill them into the back of the drawer. If the drawer is completely removable, you'll need to attach the included hinges to its sides. Note that to do this, you may also need to measure and then attach a couple of mounting blocksto create a more secure base for the hinges. It helps to have a right-angle screwdriver (like this AXTH one) to fit into the tight space.

While this solution won't significantly expand your bathroom storage space, it will make room for your daily necessities, such as scrub brushes, oral hygiene items, and skincare essentials. Adding a drawer label can be a helpful reminder to visitors that it is a functional drawer containing items that they may need, such as hand soap or extra toothbrushes. You can also paint the drawer a fun color to match the rest of the bathroom cabinet or accent it with a lighter or darker tone to help it stand out. If you'd rather not drill into your cabinet, consider using double-sided tape.

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