Maximising Bathroom Storage in the New Year
Tips for Organising and Decluttering to Start the Year with a Functional Space
As the new year begins, many of us resolve to declutter and organise our spaces, and the bathroom is no exception. Bathrooms often become catch-all areas for toiletries, towels, cleaning supplies, and more. By maximising your bathroom storage, you can create a functional and clutter-free space that makes your daily routines more efficient. In this blog, we’ll share some simple and effective tips for organising your bathroom and optimising storage so you can start the year with a more streamlined and enjoyable space.
1. Take Everything Out: Declutter First
The first step to organising your bathroom is decluttering. Before you start organising, take everything out of your bathroom cabinets, drawers, and shelves. This gives you a clear picture of what you have and what you actually use. The goal is to separate the essentials from the items you no longer need.
Sort Items into Categories: Group your items into categories, such as toiletries, cleaning products, medications, and beauty supplies. This will help you see what you have too much of and what you might need to replace.
Discard Expired or Unused Products: Check the expiration dates on products like lotions, shampoos, medications, and cosmetics. Toss anything that's expired, no longer used, or doesn’t serve a purpose. Be honest with yourself about what you truly use on a regular basis.
Donate or Recycle: If you have extra towels, linens, or unopened toiletries that you no longer need, consider donating them to a local charity. For items that can be recycled, be sure to dispose of them responsibly.
Once you’ve decluttered, you’ll have a better sense of what needs to be organised and what can be eliminated.
2. Use Vertical Space for Storage
Bathrooms, especially smaller ones, often lack ample storage space. However, one area that's often underutilised is the vertical space. By taking advantage of your bathroom’s walls, you can create more storage without sacrificing valuable floor space.
Wall-Mounted Shelves: Install simple floating shelves above the toilet, sink, or bathtub to store toiletries, decorative items, or even spare towels. This is a great way to store items that you use frequently but want to keep out of sight.
Over-the-Door Storage: Consider adding an over-the-door organiser for towels, cleaning supplies, or toiletries. This is a quick and easy way to free up space in your cabinets and make use of often-neglected areas.
Hanging Baskets or Hooks: Install hooks or baskets on the back of doors or walls to hold everything from towels to robes or even hair tools. This keeps them easily accessible while keeping them off the floor and counters.
Using vertical space for storage can make a small bathroom feel more organised and spacious while keeping everything you need within easy reach.
3. Maximise Cabinet Space
Cabinets are usually the focal point of bathroom storage, but they can quickly become a disorganised mess. By optimising the storage within your cabinets, you can make better use of the space and reduce clutter.
Use Drawer Organisers: Invest in drawer organisers or dividers to separate items like makeup, brushes, razors, and other small items. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent items from getting lost in the bottom of your drawers.
Pull-Out Shelves or Baskets: If your bathroom has deep cabinets or hard-to-reach spaces, consider adding pull-out shelves or baskets. These make it easier to access items in the back of the cabinet without having to dig through everything.
Utilise the Space Under the Sink: The area under your sink is often underutilised. Use stackable bins, a pull-out drawer, or a lazy Susan to store cleaning supplies, extra toilet paper, or toiletries. Be sure to keep the items you need most frequently in easy-to-reach spots.
Label Everything: Labels can be a lifesaver in a cluttered bathroom. Label storage bins or drawers so that every item has its place. This helps prevent items from being misplaced and makes it easy to maintain an organised space.
4. Create a Linen Closet or Towel Storage System
Towels and linens tend to take up a lot of space in the bathroom, so it’s essential to have an organised system for storing them. Here are some ideas to maximise towel storage:
Fold Towels Neatly: Take the time to fold towels neatly and stack them in a way that allows you to easily grab the one you need. If you have a linen closet, keep towels organised by type (bath towels, hand towels, washcloths) and store them in separate piles.
Use Decorative Baskets: If you don’t have a linen closet, consider using decorative baskets or storage bins. These can sit neatly on shelves or under the sink and offer a stylish way to store towels while keeping them organised.
Install Towel Racks and Hooks: Ensure you have enough towel racks or hooks to keep towels off the floor and in easy reach. Consider adding additional towel hooks on the back of the bathroom door or on unused wall space.
Consider a Towel Warmer: Not only is a towel warmer a luxurious addition to your bathroom, but it also helps keep your towels dry and fresh. It can serve as both a functional storage option and a way to enhance your bathroom experience.
5. Smart Solutions for Small Items
Small items like toiletries, makeup, and hair tools can quickly clutter up your bathroom countertop and drawers. Here are some ways to keep them organised and easy to access:
Use Clear Storage Containers: Clear containers or acrylic organisers can help keep your small items organised and easy to find. Store makeup, hair products, or medications in transparent bins that allow you to see exactly what’s inside.
Drawer Trays and Dividers: Use small trays or dividers within your bathroom drawers to separate similar items. This keeps your makeup, skincare products, or grooming tools organised without mixing everything together.
Cabinet Doors with Organisers: Install small organisers or hooks inside cabinet doors to store hairdryers, straighteners, or curling irons. This keeps them off the counter and frees up space for other essentials.
Use a Lazy Susan: A lazy Susan can be a game-changer in your bathroom. Place it on a bathroom shelf or in your cabinet to store smaller items, making it easy to access them with just a spin.
6. Create a Daily Maintenance Routine
Once you've organised your bathroom, it’s important to keep it that way. Set aside a few minutes each day or week to perform light maintenance and avoid the clutter from creeping back in.
Tidy the Counters: Each day, take a few minutes to wipe down your bathroom counters and put away any products that are out of place. This small habit can prevent your bathroom from becoming chaotic.
Keep Cleaning Supplies Handy: Store cleaning supplies in an easily accessible spot so you can quickly wipe down surfaces as needed. A quick daily wipe-down of mirrors, counters, and sinks can help maintain a fresh, organised bathroom.
Reassess Periodically: Every few months, reassess your bathroom storage and organisation. If things start to pile up again, revisit your decluttering process and adjust your system as necessary.
Conclusion
Maximising bathroom storage is about more than just finding places for your things—it’s about creating a functional, efficient, and organised space that helps simplify your daily routine. By decluttering, using vertical space, optimising your cabinets, and utilising smart storage solutions, you can transform your bathroom into a more spacious and enjoyable place to start the new year. With a little planning and effort, your bathroom can be an organised haven that supports your daily habits and keeps clutter at bay all year long.
