How to Organize a Small Bathroom on a Budget (With Dollar Tree Hacks!)

Do you struggle with a tiny bathroom that has little to no storage? You’re not alone! In our home, we have a small bathroom with a pedestal sink, just a few shelves, and a very tiny shower. It felt cluttered, messy, and nearly impossible to organize.

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With a few Dollar Tree supplies (and some thrifted finds I already had on hand), I transformed this cramped space into a functional, organized bathroom that works for the whole family. And the best part? It didn’t cost much at all!

If you’ve been wondering how to maximize space in your bathroom, these simple and affordable hacks will help.

How to Organize a Small Bathroom on a Budget (With Dollar Tree Hacks!)

Step 1: Clear and Clean the Space

The first step in any organizing project is to start with a clean slate. I removed everything from the shelves, sink, and shower.

Once the bathroom was empty, I:

Wiped down shelves, sink, mirrors, and the outlet covers (they get dusty fast!).
Gave the shower, toilet, baseboards, and light fixtures a good scrub.

Step 2: Go through Everything

Sorted everything into four piles: keep, donate, trash, and relocate.

👉 Pro Tip: Grab my free decluttering checklist to make this step easier!

Step 3: Organize Bathroom Shelves

We’re lucky to have three built-in shelves, but they were a hot mess. Here’s how I tackled each one:

Top Shelf: Towels & Washcloths

Folded towels and hand towels neatly.
Added a thrifted hanging basket to hold washcloths.
This shelf now holds four bath towels, four hand towels, and eight washcloths.

Middle Shelf: Everyday Essentials

Shelf with organized bathroom supplies and created shelf via stacking organizer

Used a Dollar Tree dish stacking tray to create extra space.
Placed kids’ daily items here: hairbrush, hair products, toothpaste, and flossers.
Added a small basket for deodorant and facial wipes so they can slide in/out easily.

Bottom Shelf: Backup Supplies & First Aid

Used two dish stackers with Dollar Tree baskets underneath — making my own DIY drawers!
Filled bins with first aid items (bandages, Neosporin, cotton balls, retainer cleaners).
Another bin held backup supplies like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and lotion.

Step 4: Add More Storage Under the Sink

Pedestal sinks offer zero storage — but that doesn’t mean you can’t add it!

I found single drawer units that stacked perfectly under the bottom shelf. These drawers are great for:

Extra toilet paper
Personal items
Cleaning supplies

👉 Tip: You can also use these drawers above the shelves if you need more vertical storage.

Step 5: Tidy Up Toothbrushes & Cords

Electronic toothbrushes and cords wrapped around plug

Electric toothbrushes often create messy cords. I solved this by:

Wrapping the cords around a nightlight extender.
Moving toothbrushes closer to the toothpaste for easy access.

This not only looked neater but also freed up outlet space.

Step 6: Tiny Shower Organization

This was one of the trickiest areas — a shower so small, there was no room for bottles or caddies that stuck out too far.

Here’s what worked:

A corner shower shelf that angled perfectly, creating room to move.
Hooks for razors and loofahs.
Smaller pump bottles to reduce bulk.

Chas giving shower organization thumbs up

Now everything is within reach without taking up precious shower space.

Step 7: Bonus Bathroom Storage Hacks

Along the way, I added a few more small bathroom hacks you might love:

Repurpose containers: Turn an empty Clorox wipes container into storage for plastic grocery bags or garbage bags.
Extra towel storage: A thrifted towel rack added space for three more towels.
Think vertical: Command hooks for towels and robes, shelves up high with a step stool, or even a cabinet designed to wrap around a pedestal sink.

Before and After: The Transformation

After decluttering, reorganizing, and using smart storage solutions, this small bathroom feels so much more functional. Everything has a home, and we even have room to spare!

Towels are neatly stored.
Kids’ daily essentials are easy to grab.
Backup supplies are organized and tucked away.
The tiny shower feels bigger and easier to use.

Updated Transformation

Minimized shelf with toothbrushes, toothpaste, flossers, and cup

basket with hair supplies, basket with deodorant, spray bottle, and lotion

After seeing some of the baskets empty, I tackled it again. I didn’t really get rid of any of the products and supplies, but rather re-optimized their locations. I was able to clean it up even more and get rid of shelves and baskets to create this functional and minimal small bathroom space.