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I’ve seen bathrooms so messy and disorganized that I can’t imagine they are ever really cleaned very well. I guess it is hard to imagine that all the clutter is removed off the counters and floors, then everything is cleaned … and then the clutter is just put all back?! Yeah, that doesn’t sound likely, right?!

Good bathroom organization doesn’t start on the floor and counters; it starts behind the scenes. This week’s assignment is to select the bathroom in your home that either bothers you the most or needs the most help. Organize the Closet, Cabinets, & Drawers.

Once we give all the bathroom things a proper place to go, the clutter on the surface has a place to go and magically becomes easy to tame!

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

TOSS THE OLD, HALF-EMPTY/ EXPIRED THINGS

Seriously, just do it.

UNDER-CABINET SHOE-BOX CONTAINERS

My favorite way to organize under bathroom cabinets uses shoebox size containers! They are cheap and stack well to fit the space under the sink.

Here are my categories for under-cabinet storage:

• Beauty
• Cotton Balls/ Swabs
• Dental
• Hair
• Makeup
• Nails
• Oils & Lotions
• Soaps & Deodorants
• Shave
• Travel/ Samples

TIPS FOR DRAWERS:

I put the things in my drawers that I use every day and everything else gets stored under the sink. I like having drawer dividers to keep the drawer neat. I like my drawer dividers to make as efficient use of the space as possible, so when I go shopping for drawer dividers I take a tape measure and masking tape with me to the store.

Things that are used daily and don’t fit well in the drawer could be contained in trays or a basket on the counter. Try to use the drawer space first, but it’s okay to use the counter or wall-shelves when you need the space.

NOT ENOUGH STORAGE SPACE?

If your bathroom is short on storage space, take your storage vertical. Use shelves for the walls or baskets and trays on the sink. Usually there is also space behind the toilet for shelves and storage and maybe to the side of the sink.

EXTRA STORAGE SPACE?

If you have extra storage space in your bathroom, make sure you are still keeping things that make sense in your bathroom instead of Christmas decoration boxes. Some of the things that also make sense to store in bathrooms besides the typical are:

• Cleaning Supplies
• Extra Toiletry Supplies
• First Aid Kits
• Guest Supplies
• Humidifiers
• Jewelry
• Light bulbs
• Linens
• Pajamas
• Pet Supplies
• Swimming Supplies
• Traveling Supplies
• (NOT Medicine!)

CONTAINER SHOPPING TIPS

Always measure your space before you head to the store to shop for containers. Bring the tape measure with you and buy containers confidently knowing they will fit/ maximize the space. I know I say this a million times, but that is because I know some of you are still trying to wing it!

Also, for hidden storage, consider clear storage containers so that it isn’t hard to find what you’re looking for. For containers that will be out in the open, buy a container to match your style and décor so that you won’t get sick of that container and you’ll be motivated to keep the area organized.

RULE OF THUMB FOR TOWELS

How many do you need?

If you have more towels than an army could use, consider donating some.

Organizing the Bathroom: The Plan

Now that you have a little knowledge, let’s get down to business.

Working in one area at a time (i.e., drawer by drawer, cabinet by cabinet), complete Step 1 of Organizing: Decluttering.

While you are deciding to keep or toss these items, save time and go ahead simultaneously with Step 2 of Organizing: Sort Like with Like. You can get grocery bags to collect like items in or just make piles on the floor.

Before you move on, make sure to complete Step 1 & Step 2 for all the storage areas in the bathroom.

The next thing to do is Step 3 of Organizing: Decide Where Stuff Goes. Consider proximity to where you will use that item. For instance, if it is makeup, where do you apply your makeup? Get the makeup as close as possible to that place. When two things battle for the same storage place of proximity, remember that the item that is used most wins the spot.

You have two options right now, you can either begin moving the piles of stuff to these places as placeholders for where they’ll go, or you can stop now and sketch out the storage places.

On scratch paper, list all the different piles/types of stuff, and then create a written plan before moving anything.

MY BATHROOM STORAGE SOLUTION PLAN

If you’ve completed Step 3 thoroughly, Step 4 of Organizing: Find the Right Tools, Containers, or Furniture should go very smoothly! Now that you know where everything is going to go and how much space it gets, you can decide what kind of container will fit it best there.

Using the sketch and list above, make decisions about where things are going and what additional containers or organizing tools or furniture you may need to do the job to your liking. Create a list of the things you’ll need below.

Take a few minutes and create a plan for your containers. Decide what containers you already have and what you’ll need to buy:

FINISHING OFF

After you have all the containers and tools you need, get all the containers in their spots and go ahead and fill them up with the stuff! Now it’s time for the fun Step 5 of Organizing: Make it Pretty!

This step might sound superfluous, but in my experience, taking the time to make the area pretty helps a lot with the desire to maintain. Ideas to spruce up the bathroom are to lay decorative drawer liners or use fancy chalk labels for any bins. Maybe it’s time to replace ratty towels with some fresh ones? Whatever it is, think of some way of adding a touch of beauty to the space at the end of organizing it – it makes a difference.

What will you do to make your bathroom a little prettier today?

MAINTENANCE PLAN

The last step, Step 6: Create A Maintenance Plan, is to create a maintenance plan for keeping this area tidy and organized. My personal plan is that every day when I wash my face, I use the fresh washcloth I just dried my face with to also wipe and dry the counter. At this time, if I’ve left anything on the counter, I tidy it up really quickly right then. This little ritual happens because I always remember to brush my teeth and wash my face at night.

When you are creating a maintenance plan, build on one of your strengths. Build the new habit on something you’re already doing regularly. If you try to just start new habits out of nowhere, they are hard to make stick.

Doing something as simple as organizing your bathroom can do a lot to re-energize you and help consistently start your day better. You are going to love your organized bathroom, even if it is for your kids, you’ll love walking past it, and it will be so much easier to keep clean! No more disgusting camp bathrooms!

NEED MORE INSPIRATION?

Wishing you lots of awesome organizing this week!

From my home to yours,
Mary

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