The Bathroom Counter Storage Hack That Frees Up Space With A Shower Caddy

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The best way to make the most of a small bathroom usually involves clever, compact storage solutions, especially when counter space is limited. For most people, the vanity countertop becomes the de facto spot for everyday essentials. If the countertop has a tiny footprint, it can quickly become cluttered. You need to keep bathroom products within easy reach, but a cluster of bottles that are easy to knock over isn't the right way to do that. What's the solution? It's time to invest in a shower caddy.

No, we're not encouraging you to store all of your toiletries in the shower. Instead, you'll need to get a bit more creative with the shower caddy. If you hang the storage solution near where you usually get ready for the day and prepare for bed, you can use it to store lotions, serums, soaps, and styling tools. That could be the back of the bathroom door, above the toilet, or on the wall next to your vanity mirror. It's an easy bathroom storage hack that keeps your favorite items together and your countertops clear.

A shower caddy can be one of two things. The first is a permanent fixture, usually made of plastic-coated metal, that you hang over a showerhead or attach to the shower stall to hold bottles of shampoo and body wash. The second is an open tray, container, or bag with compartments and a handle that you fill with beauty products — it's similar to the caddies used for stationery, craft supplies, or cleaning supplies. Both will work for this hack, though your choice will impact how you use it.

Before you can repurpose a shower caddy for better storage and organization in the bathroom, you need to understand what you're working with. Large metal shower caddies with shelves and hooks need to be mounted on the wall or hung from something sturdy. They're specifically designed to hold toiletries, with features that facilitate that use. They rarely need any modification. Choose a shower caddy that matches your bathroom aesthetic. For example, this stainless steel and anodized aluminum Simplehuman Adjustable Shower Caddy would suit a modern space with silver fixtures, while the Utoplike Teak Hanging Shower Caddy is better suited to a rustic bathroom. The mounting hardware you choose needs to support the weight of both the caddy and your toiletries. Homeowners should ideally use drywall anchors, while an over-the-door hook is a renter-friendly option.

If you prefer the portable shower caddy, you'll use it a little differently than the mounted caddy. Since portable caddies aren't permanently fixed to one spot, you can keep them somewhere out of the way until you need the products inside. You could place a portable caddy on the toilet tank, under your vanity sink, or on a shelf, or hang it from a hook on the wall or back of the bathroom door. If your portable caddy will be visible, choose a design that matches your bathroom's aesthetic — just as you would with a mounted shower caddy. It's time to ditch the mesh caddy you used in the college dorms for something with a little more class and durability, like this sleek Byuner Compact Bathroom Caddy Organizer or this industrial-chic Autumn Alley Rustic Farmhouse Bath Caddy in aged black.