As one of the most used rooms in a home, the bathroom is especially prone to clutter. People store all kinds of things in their bathrooms — from shampoos and soaps to medicines and vitamins to other odds and ends that somehow make their home on the bathroom counter. The good news is that the bathroom is a relatively simple room to organize and de-clutter. All you need to do is put your mind to it, set aside a couple of hours and get to work. There are a variety of quick and easy tips that will help homeowners turn their bathrooms into organized, comfortable rooms as opposed to dens of chaos.
Start with the Drawers
When most people set out to organize the bathroom, they start with the counter. This is the biggest mistake. The best place to begin your organization is within your drawers. That way, when you go on to clean and organize your countertop, you will have room to place all that counter clutter into the drawers. First, empty each drawer one by one. From there, organize items into certain groupings. Keep the makeup together, keep the toiletries together, keep the hair stuff together, etc. Finally, organize all of those groups within the drawers. Having an organized system in your bathroom vanity drawers will help you infinitely as you tackle the rest of the room.
Tackle the Countertop
Once you have a whole set of clean and organized drawers, then you can move on to the countertop. Take any items off the counter that do not belong there and store them away in you newly-organized drawers. Also remove and store all of those various toiletry items such as deodorant, razors and shaving cream. Make sure there isn’t any leftover trash sitting out, and then accent the vanity with some decorative pieces such as a candle, soap dish or other piece of stylish decor.
Utilize Dead Space
There are many space saving solutions that a person can buy to make use of the dead space above a toilet. Consider buying an over-the-toilet shelf that can hold towels, tissue and other bathroom essentials. These shelves look organized and add a bit of decor to your bathroom, all while creatively taking advantage of the space above the toilet that typically goes unnoticed and unused.
Throw Things Out
This is important to remember when organizing any room. Throw away everything that you absolutely do not need. If you’ve had bubble bath in your bathroom that has gone untouched for more than a year, throw it out. That nail polish from the late ‘90s cluttering the bottom of your makeup drawer — throw it out! Never forget the importance of getting rid of stuff as you organize; less is certainly more when it comes to the number of items in a bathroom.
Add Storage
Many department stores offer a variety of unique organizational options for bathroom storage. Consider purchasing organizers that rest inside bath vanity drawers, which allow you to organize your items and keep them organized for months and years to come. Consider adding over-the-door towel racks that allow you to store your towels behind a closed door, keeping them out of the way for both you and the guests in your home. Browse the aisles to find the perfect storage solutions for your bathroom that will help you make the most use out of the limited space you have.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Once your bathroom‘s organized from the drawers to the countertop to over the toilet, the next step is to make sure your bathroom is spotless. Take this time in your freshly organized bathroom to deep clean the shower stall, bathtub, toilet, countertop and floor. This is a crucial step in truly completing the bathroom organization project. You will breathe a huge sigh of relief as you admire your bathroom, which is now clean, organized and looking as good as new. Cleaning may not be the most fun work you will do around your home, but it is essential to make sure your bathroom is not only de-cluttered, but de-germed as well.
Stock Up for Guests
Now that your bathroom is organized and immaculate, consider getting prepared for any potential houseguests you might have. Stock up on extra towels — to be stored in a linen closet, not on your bathroom floor — and any toiletries guests might require while staying in your home. It’s always a good idea to have spare toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and soap on hand so that your guests will feel clean and comfortable during their stay. Replace these items every few months so you always have a fresh supply available for your guests.
By going through these simple steps, you will quickly realize that your bathroom looks and functions better than ever before. Having an organized bathroom brings a sense of relief and will likely motivate you to tackle other rooms in your home. Sometimes it works out perfectly to start with one of the smallest, yet most cluttered rooms in the home — usually the bathroom— and then move on to other rooms. You will feel a sense of accomplishment and pride over this task, and you will no longer be ashamed to let people use the bathroom when they visit!
This post was written by Ryan Tupper. Ryan is a freelance contractor and a writer for DecorPlanet.com
