Home & Lifestyle

Taming tips for a messy bathroom

messy bathroom counter

Jenna Meade

Posted October 04, 2021

How to get your bathroom organised, and get you ready faster in the morning.

Although it’s the place we go to get clean, the bathroom can quickly become the messiest room in the house. Toothpaste residue, stray flecks of hair and an untamed mix of cords among the disarray in one of our most-used zones.

But, fear not. With a little foresight, some elbow grease and clever storage solutions, your bathroom can easily be transformed into a luxurious place of pamper.

From decluttering and cleaning to sorting and storing your essentials, here’s how to reclaim your bathroom - and your morning routine.

Declutter and clean

Begin by taking everything out of your cupboards, drawers and shelves. Do an initial sweep for any trash – everything from empty packaging, stray pieces of floss and expired creams. Create categories as you go, such as lotions, hair, beauty, as well as personal items for each family member. Have a notepad handy because now is a good time to list items you need to replace or restock. 

It’s advised that you move all medicinals to another room in the house if you’ve been storing them in here as the heat and steam can affect their efficacy. 

Finish by giving every surface a good wipe down.

Set up your essentials

Storing your essentials around your vanity gives you easy access to the items you use most.

House the small items you use daily in the cupboard above the sink (if you have one). Here is where you’ll put your toothbrushes, cotton buds, razor and tweezers. Follow suit with larger everyday items below your sink. Use your countertop for storage as a last resort - keep it clear and free of toothpaste residue by using a glass or acrylic shelf.

Add containers

Rather than throwing everything into a drawer or cupboard, use a variety of smaller storage containers to control your contents. Make sure make-up is easy to find - and stays fresh - by storing it in separate stackable compartments. Use enclosed baskets for shavers and trimmers to catch stray hairs, and invest in larger baskets to keep cords untangled.

little girl helping clean the bathroom bath tub

No one said you have to do it all alone! Image: Getty. 

 

Kit out your cupboard

Use additional storage (or your linen closet) to house your other bathroom essentials and back-up supplies - and keep them out of sight. Again, group items to keep them organised.

Use boxes with pull-out handles for the groups on your top shelves to make it easier to locate items and take them down.

It’s best to store your towels folded and stacked in here, as well as back-up toilet paper to keep it away from moisture. 

Style your shelves

Shelves are ideal for neatly storing items you need to quickly access, like face washers and hand towels. You can also style them to reflect your personality, with items like aftershave and jewellery. If there’s room, you could also add a plant, candle or room fragrance to keep the air fresh. If you’re short on shelf space, a portable trolley on wheels is a great solution to boost your storage.

Finishing touches

There’s always room for storage solutions, even in the smallest of spaces. Add hooks or an over-door towel rack to the back of the door to hang towels, dressing gowns or shower caps. You may also want to organise the kids’ bath toys in a waterproof tray or plastic basket with suction caps.

Banish the unsightly build-up of multiple shampoo, soap and lotion bottles by transferring them into a larger, matching set of reusable bottles.