Forget terrible suction shower shelves, this drill-free organizing hero is the customizable alternative that stays put

One of the most annoying sounds in the world is the clattering of shampoo bottles as your shower suction shelves give up for the third time in a week. But what choice is there if you don’t have the luxury of a custom shower with built-ins?

Rather than leave products on the floor to collect soap scum, try using a pegboard, like the Vivo Steel Hanging Pegboard from Amazon, instead.

Although usually stashed in the garage, experts say it’s one of the best shower storage ideas for small spaces – it’s renter-friendly, too!

Using a pegboard in the shower

We have tried these handy storage essentials professional organizers can’t live without all over our homes, from pegboard organizers for pan storage, to using a pegboard to organize clothes – but we had never considered using them in the shower until now.

Steven Ip, cleaning expert and owner of Cleanzen, shared, ‘Yes, pegboard organizers are a very helpful tool in the shower. Ordinary shower caddies are a staple, but are not as flexible in terms of spacing out items. Pegboard organizers, on the other hand, allow you to move around your hooks and placeholders, making it easier for you to store whatever items you need, perfect for organizing your morning routine. Shampoo bottle too tall? You can easily adjust the placement of your tray.’

Plus, because of their fully customizable design, you can add accessories that suit your self-care routine, including hooks for drying brushes and sponges, shelves for products, and even small mirrors for shaving, Steven points out.

Picking the right pegboard for your shower

When setting up this DIY storage idea, Steven has a few tips to avoid that ‘clattering’ of bottles in the middle of the night:

• Pick the right material: ‘Since this will inevitably get exposed to products and water splash, choose pegboards that are stainless steel or powder-coated,’ Steven suggests. ‘The IKEA SKADIS pegboard is a good example of a board with a powder coat. It is wise to use ones that have heavy-duty hooks [available at Walmart] or water-resistant adhesive suction cups that are also rust-resistant.’
• Be smart with organization: As you would with standard shelves, Steven urges you to store heavier items at the bottom of your organizer and lighter items at the top. This adds a little extra stability to your storage, while making lifting products down safer, especially for children or older adults.
• Select the right shelving containers: The beauty of pegboards is the ability to completely customize your storage to your routine – whether you swear by an everything shower, or prefer to dive in and out. Steven adds, ‘Whatever trays and placeholders you pick, opt for slotted attachments that allow for good drainage to prevent mold.’ This pack of metal pegboard accessories, from Amazon, comes with wire baskets, which are ideal for the task.

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Meet the expert

Steven Ip

Steven Ip is the founder of Cleanzen, a reputable provider in the cleaning and home organization industry. With over seven years of experience, Steven has made Cleanzen a trusted name in Boston, Miami, Chicago and beyond.

Of course, with this addition comes a little more work when cleaning a shower. Steven says, ‘To prolong the lifespan of your board, trays, hooks, and other organizers and containers, do a wipe down every one to two weeks to avoid foam or bits of soap from building up.’

Brushing up on how to clean mold in the shower like a pro can also keep your pegboard storage looking better for longer.