Easy Ways to Organize Your Bathroom

The occasional bubble bath (for you, not the kiddos) shouldn't be the only thing that creates a sense of peace in one of the busiest places in your home. Take control of your action-packed family bathroom with a few of these organizing tips to help you clear the clutter, create extra storage space and make more room for ahhh.

Toss products past their prime and merge duplicate, half-used items into just one container. Pay special attention to over-the-counter medications and beauty products (mascara, for example, should be discarded after about three months). You’ll be surprised by how much easier it is to have just one bottle of conditioner and the amount of storage space you’ll free up with this tip.

To buy: Pet Rectangular Pump Bottle, $7

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If you don't have a mirrored, multi-shelf medicine cabinet, get one. Look for one with a mirror on the door's inside—it saves having to open and close the cabinet while shaving or applying makeup. Designate a shelf for each family member. Encourage your family to close caps, check for drips and put items back in their place. Fewer items on the countertop will make the bathroom feel cleaner and calmer.

To buy: Fresca Medicine Cabinet, $333

Solve the “Mom, which one’s my toothbrush?” and “Who left the wet towel on the floor?” problems by assigning a different color to each family member and keeping it consistent for all the necessities. Whether a hairbrush, contacts case or a washcloth, there'll be no mistaking what belongs to whom. If you’re feeling ambitious, continue the theme around the house—it works well in the laundry, mudroom and playroom, too.

To buy: Turkish Towel Set, $50

Many kitchen solutions work in the bathroom, too. Use a magnetic cutlery rack to hang up smaller metal necessities like nail clippers, tweezers, makeup brushes, scissors, bobby pins and eyelash curlers. Drawer dividers meant for food utensils can double nicely in the bathroom drawer as toothbrush holders. A lazy Susan works well in deep under-sink spaces: Use it to rotate items from the back that may be harder to see.

To buy: Totally Bamboo Utility Organizer, $30

Students who are living in college dorms with community restrooms have to lug their toiletries back and forth … and businesses have created solutions to help make that trip easier. Good news: The items are also great for busy, disorganized family bathrooms. They’re frequently multi-pocketed and easy to tote, and often come with personalization options (always helpful). Try PBteen, The Container Store or just type “college dorm bathroom essentials” into a search engine.

To buy: Ikat Bath Beauty Bin, $35

Find extra storage space by simply taking a gander at what's above you. The neck of a showerhead can anchor a space-making bath caddy (a must for any shared shower) or a mesh bag containing bath toys. Over-the-door towel hangers are instant sanity savers. And the space just above your doorframe’s molding? It’s begging for an extra toiletry shelf to be built.

To buy: 3-Basket Shower Caddy, $15

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Any spot of unused wall space can use an additional hook or two (think of the necklaces, bracelets or hair bands you could hang). In the shower, place a curtain hook on the rod for a waterproof hanging cosmetic bag or toys that need drying time. And when you put up that over-the-door towel hanger, make extra space for a single or double over-the-door hook.

To buy: Over-the-Door Quad-Hook, $10

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Cosmetic bags are an often-gifted item, meaning that over the years you've likely received one or two more than you’ll ever really need. If you have bags to spare, don’t leave them lonely and unused in an empty suitcase. Instead, put them to work storing bath items that you may use less often, like replacement electric toothbrush heads or bug spray, and store them under the sink or in the cabinet.

To buy: Chevron Dopp Kit, $50

Boxes of Band-Aids and tubes of antibiotic ointment need each other. Keeping them and their first-aid brethren together—and not divided across your bathroom shelves, drawers, and cabinets—allows them to better spring into action when they’re called upon (no one wants to hunt for sterile gauze!). Create a complete kit and stow it where everyone can safely find it, in a container that’s clearly made for first aid.

To buy: Head Over Healing First-Aid Box, $30

Don’t let decorative items hog precious counter space. Instead, incorporate hints of style and splashes of color with items that offer both form and function. For odds and ends, choose pattern-filled trays as cute catchalls. Transfer cotton balls, cotton swabs, soaps and other regularly used supplies out of bulky packaging and into timeless glass apothecary jars. And for a fresh take on mouthwash, pour it into a modern decanter with a tight lid.

To buy: Glass Apothecary Jar, $14