Living in a compact space has many pros and cons, but a lack of storage will always be a functional nuisance. The good news is that you can add clever solutions that won’t need floor space to work, nor damage walls during installation or use.
When my colleague mentioned how annoying it was that she’d run out of bathroom space to keep her most-used daily items, and they were living out in the hallway, I went on the hunt for a fix that would sit on the back of her door, without being too deep or damaging the adjoining wall when it was open.
This $16 soft rope triple-basket over-the-door gem from Amazon is the small bathroom storage answer that’s just the ticket.
Why Rope Baskets are Perfect for Small Bathrooms
This three-basket hanging gem is open top, meaning no drawers, lids or doors to open for accessing items used multiple times a day. It’s lightweight, has soft natural fibers, and therefore won’t damage the adjacent door.
I love this because it’s convenient, affordable, and takes just seconds to install. Simply slot the larger end of the metal hook that comes with the item over the top of your door, and hook on the baskets, which are already attached, then it’s ready to go.
I went hunting for this storage gem when Homes & Gardens' Social Media Editor Anna Aylward, who lives in a small home, mentioned her annoying bathroom snag. She told me, ‘We currently keep a lot of toiletries in the hallway because we don't have any space for cabinets in our bathroom, but I'd much rather keep daily toiletries in the bathroom!’
From a functional point of view, it’s no help to have bathroom items in other rooms. This will slow down mornings and vital tasks such as bathing, day-to-day self-care and practical cleaning. It also creates a clutter hot spot elsewhere in the home.
One of the main clutter-creators is items that have no fixed home. Leaving items without a set space to live in is something people with tidy homes never do. Of course, in a small home that lacks storage in the bathroom, this is tricky to get around.
Solved decluttering method tester and content editor Chiana Dickson explains, ‘If your belongings have no home, then there is no place to put them away when you’re done. They will remain a constant source of visual clutter. This is more evident in smaller homes, especially if there is a lack of functional storage.’
Chiana reiterates that bathrooms are one of the most useful spaces in a home, adding, ‘Without built-in storage cabinets, shelving, or a slim freestanding unit, it can be very hard to bring in items that work.’
As far as the rope baskets for the free space behind the door go, Chiana, who has tested dozens of decluttering methods and written about hundreds of smart home organizing ideas, says, ‘The soft fabric will protect the wall that Anna’s bathroom door opens on to, and the design means it won’t be a fuss or nuisance to find what she and others in her household are looking for on busy mornings.
'Plus, it clears the hallways of the previously homeless bathroom products and keeps it free of trip-hazards.’
As we can experience clutter blindness when items are out of place for a long time, it will feel good for Anna when that mess is neatly tucked away.
Whilst the natural cotton material of the rope baskets is not free from the risk of mold in the long term, Anna is a stickler for adequately ventilating her bathroom regularly. Using shock ventilation daily, where you open the windows for a few minutes or after showering, will prevent moisture from fuelling a mold issue in this small space and protect the integrity of this storage gem.
I have used a similar basket design in my tiny en suite for five years and there is no mold on it because of the shock ventilation I do every day, year-round.
The high-quality materials used in the Amazon product will prevent fraying despite daily use, and the shallow bins allow for easy visibility of daily bathroom products, which more often than not, are relatively small.
Anna says, ‘This is perfect! It will be so much better to have what we need in the bathroom instead of spread out in the hallway. We can allocate a basket per person and have another spare for bathroom extras or cleaning supplies.’
Amazon customers love it too, averaging a rating of 5/5 stars. One verified shopper, Dargo, says, ‘The baskets are beautiful and well-woven. They are connected by rope and hung on an included hook. They are narrow so that it doesn't impede a door. The colors are beautiful and match most decor. They are very aesthetically pleasing.'
The baskets measure 15" x 7" x 3.5" individually, and the overall space needed for the trio will fit any standard door is 43" x 15" x 3.5", with the lowest part of the product typically reaching the handle. Make sure to keep any products or medicines out of reach of children.
Many of the other similar items I looked through to find Anna the perfect solution were more expensive, and sometimes nearly double the price.
This item also comes with the metal hardware necessary to fit it instantly over your door, as well as adhesive hooks if you want to attach it to tiles. Just make sure the tiles are clean and dry, and after sticking the hook on, make sure to leave it for 24 hours before hanging the baskets and loading your items. This will prevent the adhesive from failing.
What to Shop
Here are some other storage gems for small bathrooms that will instantly double your storage, without damage to walls.
Match your home's bohemian style in your room? Try this model with this five-pocket beauty, which is lined with a laminate fabric that's durable and easy to clean.
Pick from polka dots or stripes with this cute duo. It comes with matching blue-painted hooks that fit standard doors.
This cute over-the-door addition has lots of pockets to allow for easy organization. Grouping items by category creates an easy-to-maintain organizing system that the entire household can maintain.
Gingham-print never goes out of style, and this has practical, deep pockets with two hooks over the door to maintain stability. We love that it's 100% recycled polyester, making it kinder to the planet.
The macrame detailing adds a nice aesthetic while the sturdy bottoms will stand the test of time in your bathroom. The two smaller pockets at the top are out of reach of children, adding safety to communal rooms.
Slim, versatile, and a great price, this well-rated bookshelf, available in three finishes, is a great way of adding storage if you have a narrow gap in your bathroom.
Next delve into the freestanding bookshelf lots of savvy small home owners are using in their bathrooms to make use of dead space and add vital storage.
