How to Declutter and Organize Your Bathroom: 11 Tips You Can't Miss
The bathroom is a functional space we use every day, so it needs to be organized and tidy. Say goodbye to cramped medicine cabinets, protect your toes from falling hair products, and properly dispose of expired toiletries after tidying up the bathroom!
If you’re ready to start organizing your bathroom, but you’re unsure where to start, this guide is for you. We’ve included tips for decluttering, cleaning and organizing your bathroom so it can become a place of relaxation in no time. Keep reading for tips to get started!
Decluttering the Bathroom
Decluttering the bathroom doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or stressful process—just take it one lipstick at a time! The first step is to make a plan. Create a decluttering schedule including all the places you need to declutter and break down the list into specific tasks. Instead of tackling everything in one go-round, consider working for a certain amount of time each day or decluttering one drawer at a time.
You’ll also want to start considering which organization tools you’ll use (baskets, bins, etc.) so you can purchase them ahead of time. Finally, pick a place to start and get going!
1. Bathroom drawers
It’s easy for bathroom drawers to become cluttered with unused toiletries, old towels and expired products. Going through these items will free up space and make it easier to keep the area clean. Go through every item in the drawer and throw away or recycle anything you no longer need or want.
2. Bathroom cabinets
Similar to your drawers, you’ll need to go through everything in your bathroom cabinets and get rid of anything you don’t use often or won’t use in the future. Be sure to throw any expired cleaning products or medicine (more on that next), unused toiletries and more.
3. Medicine cabinet
The most important thing to declutter in your medicine cabinet is expired medicine! The FDA suggests dropping off your expired medications to a drug take-back program or flushing them. Read this article by the FDA about where and how to dispose unused medicines to find out more.
4. Shower products
Chances are you don’t have a lot of storage space in your shower or tub. So, it’s important to go through your bath products and throw away anything you don’t use often or don’t need. By removing unnecessary items, you can actually create a more efficient and pleasant daily routine.
Cleaning the Bathroom
It’s much easier to clean the bathroom after you’ve decluttered and emptied out drawers, cabinets and shelves! Be sure to wipe everything out (cabinets, drawers, etc.), clean off the counter and wipe the floors. You should also clean the shower and/or tub, and don’t forget to clean the showerhead!
Tips for Organizing the Bathroom
Now that the cleaning and decluttering are out of the way, it’s time to get organizing! With so many products and items that need to be stored in such a small space, getting the bathroom tidy and in order may seem like a difficult task. But, not to worry. The tips below will help you maximize space to transform even the smallest bathroom into a functional space.
5. Get drawer organizers
You don’t want your bathroom drawers to turn into junk drawers! First separate items into categories such as makeup, nail care, dental care, etc. and use drawer organizers or containers to keep like-items together. Place frequently used items in easily accessible areas, and rarely used items in the bottom drawers or near the back. Check out all these drawer organizers from The Container Store.
6. Organize your cleaning supplies
Cleaning supplies are most often stored under the bathroom sink, but can be kept wherever you have cabinet or shelf space. Consider hanging your cleaning supplies on a tension rod in a cabinet (here’s a great guide to DIY a tension rod under the sink), or organize your cleaning products including sponges, gloves, scrub brushes and more in a storage caddy for easy access.
7. Bathroom cabinet storage hacks
Start organizing your bathroom cabinets by assigning designated locations for different categories like skincare, first aid, hair tools, etc. Use small baskets or containers to keep items separated and easily accessible. You can also use tiered shelving or stackable storage containers or drawers to make the most of your vertical space. Don’t forget to label all baskets and organizers to maintain tidiness and keep everything where it belongs. Here are a few cabinet organizers from The Container Store.
8. Shower storage
Shower organization is crucial to ensure easy access to bath products and prevent falling shampoo. If you’re just working with the bathtub ledge for storage, you may want to invest in other organizational tools. Consider adding a shower caddy or organizer, but be sure they’re relatively stable and won’t collapse or fall. Consider storing lightweight items like loofahs on suction cups or hooks, but avoid putting heavy items on unstable shelving. You’ll also need a designated spot for towels so they’re within reach but don’t clutter the space.
9. Linen closet storage
Keep your linen closet tidy with labeled baskets and bins to hold all your linens. Sort your items into categories, and fold items neatly into separate baskets for washcloths, towels, bedding, etc. Consider adding shelving or dividers to avoid messy piles. It’s a good idea to keep frequently used items at eye level for easy access.
10. Keep countertops clear
The easiest way to keep your bathroom looking neat and tidy is to keep your countertops clear! You’ve just organized your drawers and cabinets to maximize space—so make a habit of putting items away rather than leaving them out.
Organize the products you would like to keep on the counter using trays or containers. Put hand soap and your toothbrush holder right next to the sink, and consider putting your products in matching containers. (More on that below!)
11. Put products in matching containers
A functional and fun organization method is to pour your products into matching containers. This technique is useful if you buy items in bulk (like shampoo, conditioner or hand soap), simply use the decorative containers and keep the large bottles they came in under the sink or out of the way. Putting products in matching containers is also aesthetically pleasing, giving your bathroom a neat, sleek look.
FAQs: Decluttering and Organizing the Bathroom
Q: What are four tips for organizing your bathroom?
A: To keep your bathroom organized, be sure to 1) label containers and bins, 2) schedule monthly decluttering sessions, 3) ensure everything has a place, and 4) make an effort to always put items away after using them.
Q: How should bathrooms be organized?
A: Before organizing your bathroom, declutter to get rid of anything you no longer need or want. Then use some of the tips above to organize bathroom drawers, cabinets, countertops and more!
Q: Where should toiletries be placed in a bathroom?
A: It’s a good idea to keep items you use regularly, like toothpaste, toothbrush, mouthwash, hand soap, face wash, etc., right next to the sink. Try and keep other toiletries organized in a drawer or cabinet to minimize items on the counter.
Q: Where do I start decluttering?
A: The best way to start decluttering is to choose one area (like a drawer) to tackle first. Sort items into three piles—donate, toss and keep—and use boxes, bins and containers to organize the items you intend to keep.
Closing the (Shower) Curtain: Decluttering and Organizing the Bathroom
Are you ready to start decluttering and organizing your bathroom? A clean and organized bathroom can create a space for you to relax and unwind, and actually improve your daily routine. Maximize the space in your bathroom with the unique and aesthetic storage solutions above!
If you need more space while you’re organizing your bathroom, keep Store Space in mind. We offer professional self-storage solutions for less. You can find your nearest facility with our storage location finder.