10 Smart Small Bathroom Makeup Storage Ideas: Creative Ways to Organize Makeup in Tiny Bathrooms – From a Designer's Experience

The funniest design challenge I ever faced was when a client asked me to fit her 200+ makeup items into a bathroom the size of my coat closet. At first, I thought she was joking — until she wheeled in a suitcase full of lipsticks. That project taught me something valuable: small spaces can push us to think way outside the box, and often, the result is even better than in larger rooms. Today, I’m sharing 10 of my go-to small bathroom makeup storage ideas that I’ve tested in real projects (and yes, all are renter-friendly).

1. Magnetic Wall Boards

A magnetic board mounted inside a cabinet or on an empty wall can save you serious counter space. Stick small metal containers or magnetic strips to hold your favorite blushes and palettes. One client even turned a framed art piece into a hidden magnetic board — pretty and practical.

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2. Over-the-Door Organizers

I love using slim over-the-door racks for toiletries and makeup brushes. They make use of the most ignored space in bathrooms. For tight layouts, I recommend planning this along with the rest of your storage using a room planner so you don’t block door movement.

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3. Tiered Countertop Stands

Instead of letting makeup sprawl across your vanity, a rotating tiered organizer keeps everything visible without taking much space. Just be ready to dust a bit more often if your bathroom gets steamy.

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4. Slim Rolling Carts

Those narrow, three-tier carts can slip between the vanity and toilet. I’ve used them in several micro-apartments — they store makeup, skincare, and even hair tools. Wheels mean you can roll it out during your morning routine and tuck it back afterward.

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5. Drawer Dividers

Chaos loves a deep drawer. Simple acrylic dividers, or even cutlery trays, can instantly bring order to your lipsticks, liners, and compacts. I once organized a client’s entire vanity using thrift-store trays for under $10.

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6. Floating Shelves

Floating shelves above the toilet or next to the mirror are lifesavers for extra storage. Just make sure to install them with moisture-resistant brackets. For awkward layouts, I often map them out first in a free floor plan creator to check clearances.

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7. Inside Cabinet Door Hooks

Small adhesive hooks on the inside of cabinet doors can hold hairbands, small pouches, or even brush rolls. It’s a tiny upgrade that can make your daily routine smoother.

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8. Clear Stackable Bins

Seeing what you have at a glance is half the battle to staying organized. I recommend stackable acrylic bins — they fit under sinks, on shelves, or even inside deep drawers.

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9. Tall Narrow Cabinets

If you can spare 12–14 inches of floor space, a tall narrow cabinet can swallow a surprising amount of makeup. In one remodel, we built a custom tower with pull-out trays so my client could see every lipstick at once.

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10. Rotating Mirror Cabinets

One of my favorite space-saving hacks: mirrors that swing open to reveal hidden shelves. They’re perfect for skincare and everyday makeup, and they double as a statement piece. You can even visualize one in your space with a kitchen layout planner — yes, even though it’s for kitchens, it works for compact storage concepts.

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FAQ

Q: What’s the cheapest way to store makeup in a small bathroom?

A: Use drawer dividers or recycled containers like candle jars or mugs — they cost next to nothing and can be surprisingly stylish.

Q: How do I keep makeup from getting ruined in a humid bathroom?

A: Keep products in airtight containers or move rarely-used items to a bedroom dresser to avoid excess moisture damage.