Over the Toilet Storage: Which Kind Fits a Rental Bathroom
For most rental bathrooms, a freestanding rack with legs on both sides of the toilet adds shelves without anything bearing on the wall. If you'd rather hide the clutter, a freestanding cabinet adds doors, but it's heavier at the top, so use its anti-tip kit. A tension-pole unit presses between the floor and a solid ceiling and touches no wall at all. A cabinet hung on the wall needs screws, so get permission first.
By Tess Mullins · Updated
Which one fits your bathroom?
| If you have | Look at | Deposit Risk |
|---|---|---|
| A solid, flat ceiling within the pole's height range | Tension-pole units | Low |
| Room for a leg on each side of the toilet, and things you reach for every day | Freestanding open racks | Medium |
| Clutter you'd rather hide behind doors | Freestanding cabinets with doors | Medium |
| A landlord who agrees in writing to screws in the wall | Wall-mounted cabinets | High |
Tension-pole units
Good for: A solid, flat ceiling within the pole's height range
- Deposit Risk: Low
- Landlord Permission: Not usually needed
- Take It With You: Yes
Poles press between the floor and the ceiling and hold the shelves, so nothing is fixed to the wall. That makes it the lowest-risk kind in this guide.
Check before you buy
Measure from the floor to the ceiling and compare it with the pole's range. A sloped ceiling, a drop ceiling or molding in the way won't give the pole a solid place to press. Tighten it the way the maker describes, and check it again after the first few days.
At move-out
Empty the shelves, loosen the pole and lift it out. Look at the ceiling where the pole pressed and wipe off any marks. It goes with you.
An example on Amazon
ALLZONE Tension Over the Toilet Storage
Tension poles with four shelves
- Fits
- Floor-to-ceiling heights of 92 to 116 in; 25 in wide and about 9.2 in deep; not for sloped ceilings
- Holds
- Up to 25 lb per shelf, per the maker's product video
- All four shelves adjust in height
- Engineered wood shelves on steel poles
The only example here with nothing on the wall. The shelves move up and down, so set the lowest one high enough to clear the tank and the lid.
See it on Amazon: ALLZONE Tension Over the Toilet Storage
Freestanding open racks
Good for: Room for a leg on each side of the toilet, and things you reach for every day
- Deposit Risk: Medium
- Landlord Permission: Check your lease
- Take It With You: Yes
A metal or wood frame stands on the floor with a leg on each side of the toilet and open shelves above the tank. It's the simplest kind, and it keeps towels and toilet paper in reach.
Check before you buy
Measure the clearance under the lowest shelf against the top of your tank, and the space between the legs against the toilet, with room for the pipe behind it. Racks like these come with anti-tip hardware for the wall: straps with screws, adhesive mounts or small nails. It's the one part that touches the wall, so check what it fastens with and what your lease says.
At move-out
Empty the shelves, undo the anti-tip hardware and lift the rack away. Peel adhesive mounts slowly. If screws or nails went into the wall, ask your landlord whether you should fill the holes. The rack goes with you.
Examples on Amazon
Kalrin Over the Toilet Storage Rack, 4-Tier
Metal rack with shelves, a basket, 3 hooks, a toilet paper holder and wall fixing nails
- Fits
- About 23.8 in wide, 9.8 in deep and 68.1 in tall; clearance under the lowest shelf not listed
- Holds
- Up to 30 lb per shelf
- Particleboard shelves on a metal frame with an X-shaped crossbar
A basket, hooks and a toilet paper holder on one rack. The maker says to secure it to the wall with the included nails, which leave small holes, so check your lease first.
See it on Amazon: Kalrin Over the Toilet Storage Rack, 4-TierVASAGLE 4-Tier Over the Toilet Storage
Rack with 3 shelves, a basket, 3 hooks, a hair dryer holder and an anti-tip kit
- Fits
- 23.6 in wide, 9.4 in deep and 68.1 in tall; clearance not listed, with a bottom bar that adjusts around the water pipe
- Holds
- Up to 33 lb per tier
- Steel frame with engineered wood shelves
- Anti-tip kit with two straps, each fixed with a screw and a wall plug
The only rack here with a hair dryer holder. The maker says it must be used with its anti-tip kit, which needs two small holes in the wall.
See it on Amazon: VASAGLE 4-Tier Over the Toilet StorageGloTika 3-Tier Over Toilet Storage
Steel rack with 3 mesh shelves, 4 side hooks, a roll holder and 4 adhesive anti-tilt kits
- Fits
- 26 in wide, 11.8 in deep and 64 in tall; the bottom shelf is 39 in off the floor
- Holds
- 150 lb in all
- Carbon steel with welded mesh shelves
The highest listed clearance of these examples, which the maker says clears elongated, comfort-height and bidet toilets. Its anti-tilt kits stick to the wall instead of screwing in, so peel them slowly at move-out.
See it on Amazon: GloTika 3-Tier Over Toilet Storagesamstar 4 Tier Over the Toilet Storage Rack
Steel rack with 4 shelves, 4 hooks and 4 retaining straps
- Fits
- 24.6 in wide, 9.8 in deep and 64.8 in tall; the bottom two shelves and the bottom rods adjust by 2 in
- Holds
- 30 lb (the listing doesn't say whether per shelf or in all)
- Carbon steel frame
Shelves and support rods that move, for a tank that sits higher or lower than most. With the rating unclear, treat it as the total for the whole rack. The maker says to fasten it to the wall.
See it on Amazon: samstar 4 Tier Over the Toilet Storage Rack
Freestanding cabinets with doors
Good for: Clutter you'd rather hide behind doors
- Deposit Risk: Medium
- Landlord Permission: Check your lease
- Take It With You: Yes
A cabinet with doors stands on legs over the toilet, often with an open shelf below. It hides bottles and spare rolls and looks more like furniture than a rack.
Check before you buy
Most of the weight sits high up, so use the anti-tip kit the maker includes, and check what it fastens to the wall with. Measure the clearance under the cabinet against your tank, and its depth against the space behind the toilet.
At move-out
Empty it, undo the anti-tip kit and lift the cabinet away. If the kit was screwed to the wall, ask your landlord whether you should fill the hole. The cabinet goes with you.
Examples on Amazon
Gizoon Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet
Cabinet with 2 doors, an adjustable shelf and an anti-tip fitting
- Fits
- 23.7 in wide, 9.1 in deep and 66.1 in tall; 32.3 in under the bottom shelf
- Holds
- Not listed
- Engineered wood
- Inside shelf in three heights
A plain white cabinet that hides everything behind two doors. The maker says to always secure it to the wall with the included fitting. With no weight rating listed, keep heavy bottles low.
See it on Amazon: Gizoon Over the Toilet Storage CabinetYaheetech Slim Over the Toilet Cabinet, Frosted Glass Doors
Cabinet with 2 frosted glass doors, 2 inside shelves and an anti-tip kit
- Fits
- 25 in wide, 9 in deep and 66 in tall; 35 in from the floor to the cabinet
- Holds
- Up to 22 lb
- Engineered wood and tempered glass
- Anti-tip kit with two L-brackets screwed into the wall with wall plugs
Frosted glass softens the look of the doors without showing the clutter. It has the lowest rating of the cabinets here, so it suits towels and toiletries more than heavy bottles.
See it on Amazon: Yaheetech Slim Over the Toilet Cabinet, Frosted Glass DoorsSpirich Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet with Tilt-Out Cube
Cabinet with 2 doors, an adjustable shelf, a tilt-out cube and an anti-tipping device
- Fits
- 25.8 in wide, 8.7 in deep and 64.4 in tall; 31 in of clearance, with a bottom bar in three positions
- Holds
- Up to 100 lb, per the listing's product table
- Engineered wood
A tilt-out cube at the bottom keeps spare toilet paper in reach without opening a door. The maker recommends anchoring it to the wall with the included device.
See it on Amazon: Spirich Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet with Tilt-Out Cube
Wall-mounted cabinets
Good for: A landlord who agrees in writing to screws in the wall
- Deposit Risk: High
- Landlord Permission: Get written permission
- Take It With You: Yes
A cabinet hangs on the wall above the toilet, so nothing stands on the floor and it looks the most built in. It's here for comparison: it's the only kind that has to be screwed to the wall.
Check before you buy
Get written permission before you drill, and ask whether your landlord wants it fixed into a stud. Check the cabinet's width against the wall, and hang it high enough to clear the tank and the lid when it's up.
At move-out
Take the cabinet down and deal with the screw holes the way your landlord asks: some want them filled, others would rather patch and paint themselves. Get that in writing. The cabinet goes with you.
An example on Amazon
Teamson Home Dawson Wall Cabinet
Wall cabinet with 2 glass-paneled doors, an adjustable shelf and mounting hardware
- Fits
- About 20 in wide, 24 in tall and 7 in deep
- Holds
- Not listed
- Engineered wood with cross molding on the doors
The only example that hangs on the wall: nothing stands on the floor, but it has to be screwed in, so it's for a landlord who agrees in writing.
See it on Amazon: Teamson Home Dawson Wall Cabinet
Compare them side by side
Every size and rating is the maker's own. Swipe sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Product | Kind | Fits | Holds | Deposit Risk | Permission | Take it with you |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALLZONE Tension Over the Toilet Storage | Tension-pole units | Floor-to-ceiling heights of 92 to 116 in; 25 in wide and about 9.2 in deep; not for sloped ceilings | Up to 25 lb per shelf, per the maker's product video | Low | Not usually needed | Yes |
| Kalrin Over the Toilet Storage Rack, 4-Tier | Freestanding open racks | About 23.8 in wide, 9.8 in deep and 68.1 in tall; clearance under the lowest shelf not listed | Up to 30 lb per shelf | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| VASAGLE 4-Tier Over the Toilet Storage | Freestanding open racks | 23.6 in wide, 9.4 in deep and 68.1 in tall; clearance not listed, with a bottom bar that adjusts around the water pipe | Up to 33 lb per tier | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| GloTika 3-Tier Over Toilet Storage | Freestanding open racks | 26 in wide, 11.8 in deep and 64 in tall; the bottom shelf is 39 in off the floor | 150 lb in all | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| samstar 4 Tier Over the Toilet Storage Rack | Freestanding open racks | 24.6 in wide, 9.8 in deep and 64.8 in tall; the bottom two shelves and the bottom rods adjust by 2 in | 30 lb (the listing doesn't say whether per shelf or in all) | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| Gizoon Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet | Freestanding cabinets with doors | 23.7 in wide, 9.1 in deep and 66.1 in tall; 32.3 in under the bottom shelf | Not listed | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| Yaheetech Slim Over the Toilet Cabinet, Frosted Glass Doors | Freestanding cabinets with doors | 25 in wide, 9 in deep and 66 in tall; 35 in from the floor to the cabinet | Up to 22 lb | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| Spirich Over the Toilet Storage Cabinet with Tilt-Out Cube | Freestanding cabinets with doors | 25.8 in wide, 8.7 in deep and 64.4 in tall; 31 in of clearance, with a bottom bar in three positions | Up to 100 lb, per the listing's product table | Medium | Check your lease | Yes |
| Teamson Home Dawson Wall Cabinet | Wall-mounted cabinets | About 20 in wide, 24 in tall and 7 in deep | Not listed | High | Get written permission | Yes |
Before you buy
Measure the toilet first. Measure from the floor to the top of the tank and compare it with the clearance under the lowest shelf, with room for the lid to open. Measure the width you have between the walls or the vanity, and the depth from the wall to the front of the tank. For a tension-pole unit, add the height from floor to ceiling.
Check the anti-tip hardware. Most racks and cabinets come with a strap or kit for the wall. See what it fastens with before you buy: a screw leaves a small hole, and adhesive can lift paint. Your lease decides which is fine.
Pick open shelves or doors. Open shelves keep things in reach and weigh less. Doors hide the clutter, but they put more weight at the top.
Check the rating against what you’ll store. Towels and toilet paper are light; bottles of cleaner and full bins are not. Keep the heaviest things on the lowest shelf.
At move-out
Empty the shelves, then undo the anti-tip strap or kit the way the maker describes. If it was screwed into the wall, ask your landlord whether you should fill the hole, and get the answer in writing. Peel any adhesive slowly and test a residue remover on a hidden spot first.
Take dated photos of the wall behind the toilet when you move in and again after the unit comes out. The move-in checklist and the move-out checklist cover the rest of the bathroom.
Need storage on the bathroom door too? The over-the-door organizer guide covers towel racks and pocket organizers that hang from the top of a door. Hanging a towel bar above the tank instead? The towel bar height calculator works out how high it goes so the towels clear the tank. For what a unit costs over your lease, try the renter upgrade cost calculator.
How we chose the examples
- Stands on the floor or presses between floor and ceiling, with one example that hangs on the wall for comparison.
- Dimensions published by the maker, with the clearance under the lowest shelf where it's listed, so you can check them against your toilet.
- A mix of styles: open shelves, cabinets with doors, and tension poles for bathrooms with little room beside the toilet.
- A clear way to take it down at move-out, spelled out for each kind.
Each kind shows three badges: Deposit Risk, whether you'll usually need Landlord Permission, and whether you can Take It With You. They're general guidance, and leases differ, so check yours. We describe products from the makers' own specs and instructions. Unless this page says otherwise, we haven't tested them ourselves.
The links to Amazon are plain links: we earn nothing when you buy, and no brand pays to be here.
Frequently asked questions
Do over-the-toilet storage units need to be anchored to the wall?
Racks and cabinets usually come with an anti-tip strap or kit, and it's worth using: a unit that's loaded at the top can tip. The strap is the one part that touches the wall, so check what it fastens with and what your lease says. A tension-pole unit presses between floor and ceiling instead.
How do I measure for over-the-toilet storage?
Measure from the floor to the top of the tank, and compare it with the clearance under the lowest shelf, leaving room to lift the lid. Then measure the width between the walls or the vanity, and the depth from the wall to the front of the tank. For a tension-pole unit, measure from floor to ceiling too.
Will an over-the-toilet unit fit a tall toilet?
Check the clearance under the lowest shelf: it varies from unit to unit, and some let you move the bottom bar or the lowest shelf. Compare it with your tank and lid, not with the bowl.
Do I need my landlord's permission for over-the-toilet storage?
Not usually for a freestanding rack or a tension-pole unit. The anti-tip strap and a wall-mounted cabinet fasten to the wall, so check your lease, and get written permission before you drill.
Can over-the-toilet storage tip over?
It can, especially a cabinet that's heavy at the top or a rack loaded unevenly. Use the anti-tip kit, keep heavy things on the lower shelves, and stay under the maker's rating.
Next step
Move-In Checklist for TenantsPick your rooms, check each item and note any damage to make a move-in checklist you and your landlord can sign. Download the PDF or print it.
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