Organizing a bathroom can feel like one of life's biggest challenges. As a small yet functional space, it can be difficult to stay on top of all the different products and toiletries stored in this room, especially if it's used by the whole family, but there is a solution. Professionals rely on handy organizational tools, and there are a few that you absolutely have to know about.
If you're anything like me, organizing your bathroom is a pet peeve. Once you finally tidy up and put everything in its rightful place, it's a total mess again by the next morning - towels lying on the floor and bottles littering every surface. To keep your modern bathroom in check, you'll want to invest in some practical organizers that make sorting your life simple.
To find out which ones are worth your money, we spoke with professional organizers and declutters to get their two cents. Here are the six best bathroom utensils they recommend.
Melissa Gugni is a San Francisco-based organizer who pairs her vision for clutter free homes with a clean, fresh aesthetic. As a mom, she recognizes the importance of creating a space that you're proud of but can live in, too. Alongside her work, she's contributed to many decluttering and organization articles sharing her expertise.
Drawer organizers
It's likely you have drawers somewhere in this space. Whether it's your bathroom vanity or free-standing storage, drawer dividers are an absolute lifesaver when it comes to sorting your stuff.
In the world of organization, an 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality just doesn't cut it. No one wants to rummage through a mess of products every time they open their drawers. 'The best way to keep them tidy and useable is with simple drawer organizers,' says Lucy Milligan Wahl, professional organizer at LMW Edits. 'You can mix and match to fit your space and find room for all the items you need to store.'
If you don't want to buy modular storage for your drawers, you can buy dividers and grip liners instead. Extendable dividers like these ones from Amazon will fit in any sized drawer up to 17.5 inches. 'They're super affordable, easy to clean, and look great,' says organizer Melissa Gugni. 'They will always create the right configuration for any sized drawer and for whatever your supply needs are.' Pair them with grip lining material like this, also from Amazon, to prevent your things from knocking around every time you access them
Clear storage bins
Ask any professional organizer and they'll tell you that clear storage bins are the best thing since sliced bread. Use them in your cupboard or stack them under the sink to maximize your bathroom storage.
'Not only does a clear container set a limit on the items you own but it allows for quick inventory checks to cut down on multiple purchases,' says Ben Soreff from H2H Organizing. 'Deep cabinets and linen closets create black holes, but containers keep items from disappearing.'
According to Melissa, it's a good idea to store like with like. Use one bin for soaps and shower gels, another for washcloths and exfoliators, and another for dental products like spare toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash. If you want to, you can label these too. 'I like having a bin labeled "backstock" for all those bulk purchases that can easily be forgotten,' says Melissa. 'It's also nice to have a "travel" bin for sample-sized things that can be grabbed quickly in a rush.'
Under-the-sink storage
If you have a vanity cupboard under your sink, maximize space with pullout drawers or shelving systems. The best bathroom organizers will be modular, allowing you to fill your space and build around plumbing fixtures as required.
'Pull-out drawers can be a lifesaver since it is so easy for things to get pushed to the back never to be seen again,' says Melissa. 'A pro trick for under the sink is the old "measure twice, cut once" since it can be very easy to buy the wrong-sized drawers without taking into consideration the plumbing behind it.'
You can also buy pull-out containers like this one from Amazon that can be adjusted to fit hair dryers, straighteners, and brushes. As Melissa notes: 'There's nothing like a tangle of cords to turn a cabinet into an unusable mess.'
Over-the-toilet shelving
If you have a small bathroom where space is at a premium, free-standing shelving systems are your best friend.
'When it comes to bathrooms, most have awkward storage,' says Ben. If you lack shelving but don't have space on the wall, I can almost guarantee you have space above the toilet. If that's the case, utilize it. You can buy over-the-toilet shelving to house fresh towels, toilet rolls, and cleaning products to free up space elsewhere.
Before you move everything to your shelves, you should declutter your products. 'Group the categories and review,' says Ben. 'Once you discard expired or dysfunctional items then you will have the typical categories of dental, hair care, medical/first aid, make up, shaving and more which will all fit on your shelves.'
A shower caddy
No shower room is complete without a caddy. These nifty little organizers keep all your daily items such as soap, shaving gel, and shampoo in one place and within easy reach.
You can purchase suction cup caddies that stick to your tiles and placed at whatever height you need them, although they do have a tendency to come unstuck over time due to the steamy conditions. 'I like a tension rod setup because it's much more sturdy and will store more items than a classic caddy that hangs over a shower head,' says Lucy.
Use door hooks
If there's one place where you can never have enough hooks, it's the bathroom. One of the best ways to hang bathroom towels is with over-the-door hooks. Not only do they remove the need for power tools and screws that leave holes in your walls, but they can be moved from room to room as necessary. The best part is they're also renter-friendly.
'In a small bathroom, go vertical,' says Lucy. 'Use any available wall space and the backs of doors for storage.' If the gap between your door and the frame isn't big enough for one of these organizers, try an adhesive towel bar and hooks like these, from Amazon.
Never worry about finding space for all your toiletries again with these six budget-friendly organization ideas. Your guests feel like they're receiving five-star treatment the next time they step foot in your bathroom.
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