9 Tips for Simple Bathroom Decluttering and Reorganizing

Bathrooms may not be the largest or most glamorous spaces in modern homes, but they always top the charts on the most frequently visited of them. Residents spend time in front of the mirror getting ready for school, work, and social events in the mornings, relax in the tub at night, and visit the bathroom multiple times throughout the day.

Given that bathrooms also need to store all of the items required to both get ready for busy days and relax afterward, things can get a little hectic in there. Instead of giving in to all the mess, read on to find nine simple tips for bathroom decluttering and reorganizing that can help create a more pleasant, relaxing atmosphere and reduce stress in the mornings as residents ready themselves for their days ahead.

1. Start With Decluttering

There’s no reason to start organizing toiletries, makeup, and other items without first taking the time to declutter. After all, what’s the point in organizing stuff that no one uses? If there are splashes of shampoo and conditioner left in bottles or a backup of old loofas waiting for a bathing emergency that will never come, toss them now.

2. Keep the Counters Clear

It’s best to keep toiletries and other items off the counters. Clear counters will look tidier, be easier to clean, and invite less accumulation in the future. Try to keep at least ? of the counter space clear, and if that’s not possible, consider it a sign the family might need a new vanity with more space.

It’s OK to keep a few frequently used items on the counters, but keep them neat. Get a soap dish for bar soap or switch to a foaming soap pump that keeps the mess more contained, and find a small tray or cup for any other items that absolutely must be left on the counter for easy access.

3. Add Some Storage to Medicine Cabinets

Just about every modern bathroom features at least one medicine cabinet, but most people don’t use them to full effect. Adding over-the-door organizers will create more usable storage space in even the smallest medicine cabinet, creating space for items like toothbrushes and floss that need to be kept simultaneously out of sight and easily accessible.

4. Use Drawer Dividers

It’s easy for bathroom drawers to get cluttered and disorganized despite the best of intentions. This is one of the cases where out of sight doesn’t necessarily mean out of mind, though. If it’s impossible to find small but necessary items quickly, that can throw a wrench in any morning routine.

The best way to keep drawers from becoming a disorganized mess is to use draw dividers. They give every item a home, making it easier for residents to find what they need and remember to put it back where it belongs. Make a point of grouping similar items together, and think about adding an extra personal touch by installing a drawer liner at the same time.

5. Give Each Resident a Caddy

Shower caddies are powerful organizational tools, especially for families where not everyone is equally committed to keeping things organized. Each member of the family can fill his or her caddy with personal care items, then just pull the whole thing out in the morning to get cleaned up. Everything is in one place, and the whole caddy can be put back where it belongs with no fuss and no mess.

6. Add a Laundry Hamper

Laundry hampers or bins play a vital role in keeping bathrooms clean and organized. Without them, residents are far more likely to throw dirty clothes and used towels on the floor and leave them there to create problems for the next person who wants to take a shower. Adding a laundry bin removes the temptation to leave wet or dirty items lying all over the bathroom.

7. Install Towel Hooks

Most traditionally designed bathrooms have towel bars installed along the walls for clean towels, but they’re not the ideal solution. Wall-mounted bars make it difficult to put bath towels and washcloths away and allow less air in for these necessary items to dry, which can cause problems for families that reuse towels. Towel hooks are much easier to use and allow better airflow.

To maximize the effectiveness of this tip, assign each resident his or her own hook. If there’s no space on the walls, over-the-door hooks will do just fine. Assigning specific hooks for personal use helps to keep people accountable for hanging up their towels after showers and baths and keeps other residents from accidentally reusing someone else’s towel.

8. Use Clear Containers

Most households buy toiletries and other bathroom supplies in bulk, then store the excess in closets or vanities beneath the sink. Keeping all those extra goods organized is essential, and using clear containers for storage can help. With clear, and clearly labeled, containers, people looking for a new bottle of shampoo won’t have to pull out every extra razor, toothbrush, or loofah in the room to find it.

Clear acrylic containers are the best option for larger families that like to keep their bathrooms well-stocked. They’re not just see-through, but also easy to stack to save on space. If stacking the containers doesn’t seem like a viable solution, consider installing shelves in the closet or beneath the sink.

9. Label Everything

Using labels makes it easier to find things as they’re needed and, even more importantly, it makes it easier to figure out where to put them back. If every storage bin and caddy in the bathroom is labeled, it will put an end to kids and disorganized adults leaving items strewn about because they don’t know where things are supposed to go. Just make sure the labels are waterproof.

Get Organized and Stay That Way

The great part about the tips above is that they aren’t just useful for getting bathrooms organized. They’ll help even busy families keep the mess at bay. Just make sure to explain where everything goes and why it’s important to keep the area clean for everyone’s use.