I have one tiny bathroom too, CorusKate.
I have one small shelf unit on the wall above the loo. The shelves contain various otc medications and plasters (bottom shelf), about 30 bottles of nail polish (middle shelf), and miscellaneous taller items on the top shelf that are not used much - sun cream, aloe, something for insect bites, spare shampoo, air freshener aerosol spray.
There's a long basket on top of the cistern where I keep rolled up spare bath and hand towels. I keep spare loo roll in a small bag tucked in behind the loo.
I have one small built in cupboard unit squished between the loo and the bathtub that contains a small bin and toilet plunger (bottom cupboard), miscellaneous items such as thermometer, cotton balls, Qtips, nail polish remover, hairbrushes, spare toiletry bags and travel size toiletries, my perfume, moisturiser, spare razors, Odour Eaters powder, various ointments, athletes foot spray, spare soap, hair elastics and clips (middle cupboard). The top cupboard contains sanpro. It's about hip height.
I have a small shelf beside the wash basin, and a window sill. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are on the shelf in a mug. The cat knocks everything she finds off the window sill so it is clear. I keep shampoo and conditioner and body wash in the bath/shower.
I keep a bottle of bathroom cleaner behind the pedestal sink, with a sponge and rubber gloves.
I also have a laundry basket for towels and washcloths.
There isn't room to swing a cat much as I would like to swing the cat. Right now there are five of us to the one bathroom.
I don't know why people think sanitary items for guests need to be kept out in a bowl or a basket. This imo is not what is implied by the term 'guest', and I don't know why anyone thinks this is the implication.
If the mother had mentioned guest pads then no doubt there would be people telling her off for wanting pads when they only keep tampons..
Nothing needs to be laid out. It just needs to be in the bathroom, because imo it is not too much to ask that girls and women who need a pad or a tampon and don't have one handy or have used everything they had in their bag should be able to count on encountering sensible and kind women when they are out and find themselves in need.
When you really need some sanpro it makes all the difference to find it. Conversely, it is really horrible to have to make do with rolled up TP, and why should any teen or woman have to do this when she is in a house where there are other women who presumably remember what it is like to be a teen and presumably have the capacity to walk in another female's shoes?
The attitude that it is absurd to expect sense and support is harsh and only explicable by reference to the idea that women judge each other too much and stand by each other too little.