This post is sponsored by Dettol
Bathroom vanities can be small and compact, with needing to store so much in them it makes it hard to keep it tidy and organised. Read further for my 7 tips to organise a bathroom cupboard, along with an organised makeover I did on my friends bathroom.
A friend of mine was frustrated with her bathroom, she struggled to find what she wanted, the bathroom cupboard lacked good storage and the clutter had found its way on top of her vanity. I was happy to help, much like a girl in a candy store to organise her bathroom to make it more manageable.
7 TIPS TO ORGANISE A BATHROOM CUPBOARD
STEP 1 – Purge
Take everything out of the cupboards, as you do this sort (as described below) and throw out anything that you no longer need, use or is out of date such as:
- Bottles of shampoo, soap or lotions that have too little to save in it
- Expired makeup
- Colour of makeup you will not wear
- Expired medications
- Lotions, shampoo, styling products etc that you will not use
- Samples
- Old toothbrushes/makeup brushes
- Rusty razors
- Hair styling tools you have not used in over 12 months
- Toys that are mouldy and you don’t have time to clean
- Things that don’t belong in the bathroom cupboard
Basket above is from a local dollar discount store, but can also be found at Kmart and Howards Storage World.
STEP 2 – Sort
As you remove all the items from the shelves organise them into like piles eg. makeup, lotions, shampoo, first-aid etc. This will make it easier for the store and organise process.
STEP 3 – Clean
Wipe over shelves removing all dust and dirt so then you can place storage items and products back onto clean surfaces.
STEP 4 – Make a plan
By taking all items out of the cupboard and sorting into like piles this will give you a good idea of what storage product you will need to improve the organisation of this space, ie plastic drawers, shelves, baskets etc.
Due to lack of storage underneath the bathroom vanity makeup and other daily products were left on top of the vanity. However, my friend would prefer a clutter-free benchtop.
After work her hubby put items from his pockets into a box on top of the vanity. This didn’t leave much space on top.
I found a better storage solution for all her daily products, which I will show you in more detail below.
As a visual reminder to keep her vanity top clutter free I decorated it with a sweet smelling diffuser and pretty pot of succulents. I hope that she can look at these to remind her to simply place items back underneath when finished to help keep her bathroom tidy.
One product to always have on top of the vanity is handwash. Dettol Liquid Hand Wash new ‘soft on skin’ formula leaves your hands soft and moisturised for 3 hours and kills 99.9% of germs. I like how it give my hands a beautiful smell after I walk away from the bathroom. Also available in Foam Handwash and No-touch Refill.
I sorted through her hubby’s box, finding many items that could be put back into his tool shed and I placed a smaller plastic container on the vanity for his glasses, gloves etc. Using a smaller box means less space to store clutter.
STEP 5 – store and organise
Place new storage solutions into cupboard and start organising, remembering to keep like items together.
I have used plastic drawers from Kmart to help organise different items.
To make it easier for her to use her daily products I placed them into this plastic insert from Ikea, which can easily be moved to the vanity when in use and then placed back under the bench.
Plastic drawers are a great use of space and made storing like items together much easier.
Now a dedicated drawer for all new toothpaste, toothbrush etc supplies.
Plastic baskets with handles makes it easier to pull the basket in and out and prevents bottles from falling over and making a mess.
Ladies products are discreetly stored in a lidded box, this box is available from The Reject Shop.
I placed most of her husbands products that were on top of the vanity, underneath in a storage basket (available from The Reject Shop) so he can easily pull out the basket like a drawer, find what he needs and push back in.
In the plastic drawers (available from Kmart) I placed his electric shaver, razors and first aid items.
Use small plastic baskets for those products that you use frequently making them easy to get to.
STEP 6 – label
You could go that extra step and label each of your baskets, drawers etc to make it easier to find items when you need them. You could use a label machine or write-on-labels.
STEP 7 – maintain
Now that your space is tidy and organised, do the best you can to keep it that way.
1. If you have not used a product in a year, purge it.
2. Don’t place items that don’t belong in the bathroom in your cupboard.
3. Store extra supplies like soap, toilet paper in your bathroom cupboards for easy access.
The NEW Dettol Soft on Skin Liquid Handwash comes in a range of different fresh fragrances: Lemon & Lime, Aloe Vera, Raspberry & Pomegranate, Vanilla & Coconut and Rose & Berry, they will moisturise and revitalise your hands along with helping to keep the family healthy, killing 99.9% of germs.
4. Make cleaning easy by keeping a caddy of cleaning supplies at easy reach. Read more about the shower cleaning kit here.
My friend has a child-safety lock on her bathroom cupboard so she is able to keep them safely out of reach from children.
After – an organised bathroom cupboard
This bathroom has was a mess, now it’s so beautifully tidy and organised!
The vanity top is clutter free
My friend says “I should have done this years ago, I no longer feel guilty or stressed when I open my vanity. I can also see everything I own which means I no longer buy conditioner or hand soap if I don’t need it. It’s such a great feeling to have a clear surface, it sounds silly but it has a calming effect!” Music to my ears, I had so much fun organising her bathroom cupboard and very thankful she allowed me to photograph the process to share with you all. Hope this helps you to organise your vanity.
What’s your best tip to keep your bathroom cupboard organised?
This post was coordinated by The Remarkables Group and run in accordance with my disclosure policy.
35 comments
Wow, what a great friend you are! Our bathroom counter is home to a lot of my husband’s things which also belong in the shed, I’m forever putting stuff back in there. I like to go through our drawers and cupboards every couple of months and throw out anything which is out of date or we just don’t use.
Hi Laruen, do you have a little basket just for his things to make it easier to clear the clutter? A good clean out every few months is a great idea to help reduce clutter.
Hi Kat it looks amazing!!! Just wondering where you got the blue basket with the handles that you had the cleaning stuff in from????
That was from a local cheap shop, they are peg baskets 🙂
My bathroom cupboard is overflowing at the moment!! I love the idea of putting everything into little baskets and drawers. It’s the one area of the house that I do tend to neglect!!!!
And until you tidy it you probably won’t realise the time you will save each morning when it’s all organised 🙂
I have just done the same thing with my laundry cupboard. I love those baskets with handles, being vertically challenged it does make those high shelves useful, I can easily grab the handle and bring the basket down to my level, and they aren’t huge baskets so you can’t overload them and make them too heavy. I cleaned my laundry cupboard the same way, made piles on the floor, sorted out what was rubbish, put like items into the handled baskets and put the back after cleaning each shelf. I just need to make cute tags to finish it off. Thank you for all your helpful ideas!
Yes I agree I think labels or tags would be the finishing touch. Great way to declutter the laundry, I would love to see a photo!!
I love to label my storage containers for a few reasons. The family and I all know
1 where to look for things
2 where to put things away
3 what we need and don’t need when making the shopping list
This is a great system for any room in the house!
I just decluttered my bathroom under cupboard storage yesterday but after seeing this post I can take it to the next level of organisation!!
Love it xx
Yes adapt some of these ideas, your already a step ahead!!
Another beautiful job. I to have discovered baskets easy to pull out and find things instead of getting on your hands and knees trying to find things. Great for the elderly, I did this for my mother in law. Now she can access by just pulling the basket out asshe couldn’t bend down. Time to go through my cupboards again to cull.
Thank you Yvonne, your right would help the elderly or anybody with back problems that can’t easily access the back of the bottom cupboards.
Mine sort of looks in between the before and after photos. I’m feeling inspired now though, Thanks!
Happy to help Loz with a little inspiration. 🙂
Such a simple task that so many of us put off! Thanks for the tips with where to buy the containers too. I have a few baskets I use but some drawers would be a great help too. Thanks! x
Drawers help to keep likes with likes great to utilise the space in taller shelves.
My very next project is the dreaded bathroom cabinet – but this one is so spacious! I’m looking forward to using this idea and hoping it can make our little black hole of a vanity into a useful and organised space! Great ideas here, thank you!
Perfect timing Caroline, hopefully this will help you with some ideas, please share pics when your done, I’d love to see it!
LOVE the way this ended up – you’re a total rockstar my friend!! xx
You know me Em, I’m in my element when I can give a space a good declutter and organise it, this was fun and thrilled I can share with my readers x
I have just found a solution I didn’t know I needed! My cupboards are mostly sorted into baskets etc but the thing that I have just sitting on a shelf at the front of my bathroom cupboard is my nail clippers, nail file, clear polish & remover – now I am going to grab a small cute basket to store those items together instead of just sitting there. I also enjoy de-cluttering! I wish the rest of my family would catch on 🙂
Great idea, Vanessa. I have all my bits in and pieces like that in a basket too. Just helps keep them neat and tidy.
Hi
Im loving the look but I have to also include towels and facecloths in this area as well-HELP
Hi Ingrid, I hang all our towels over towel rails, a great place to hang face washers is on hook inside the vanity cupboard. This post shows some great ideas: https://theorganisedhousewife.com.au/organising/bathroom/tips-to-speed-clean-the-bathroom/
i wish you offered this service to all my old clients who would have a tonne of different products under their vanity. Having baskets makes it easier for a plumber to remove and fix leaks when needed.
I finally got around to tidying under my laundry sink using your method of little baskets and I felt just like your friend did – I should have done it years ago! Every time I open the drawers, I feel so organised. Now off to do the bathroom. Thanks! Ps. love your website and tips.
Ooh yay i am so happy to hear that, Anna! I love that feeling of a well-organised space. I hope you continue to enjoy the blog and tips i share.:)
Wow I would love that space. My vanity is 1 single cupboard. Nothing fits. Come do mine please lol
It was a great space to work with and had so much fun doing the makeover.:)
ooh I cant wait to buy a few of these baskets to sort out that mess in my ensuite cupboard
Those baskets are so practical and keep everything looking lovely and organised.
Any suggestions for organising a corner vanity unit? It is small and has awkward spaces because of the shape and pipes. I have a couple of baskets, like plant hanging baskets, to take the pressure off the amount in the cupboard but it is always untidy. One hanging basket has my makeup etc in it and the other has the girls makeup, deodorant etc.
I HATE untidy cupboards!!!
Cheers, Jo
Love the idea of baskets to organise cupboards but I’m trying to reduce plastics in my home because it is so damaging to the environment. I notice you use a lot of plastics in many of your organisation solutions. Can you recommend any natural product baskets that are available to buy from shops (not online), thanks.
I can’t believe in this obvious product placement. This is shocking and you should add a disclaimer saying that you get money for advertising these products, which seems obvious to me.