Bathroom on the Brain

I’ve got bathroom on the brain because we’re about to re-do our master bath (check earlier blog posts for photographic evidence of why the time has come). My bathroom is a room that just makes you want to get in and get out as fast as you can. But it doesn’t have to be that way! By following a few simple organizational tips, your bathroom can become a room you enjoy, a place of peace where you pamper yourself and perhaps even linger for a moment or two.

CUT COUNTERTOP CLUTTER
Take a look at the items living on your countertop. If there are things sitting out that you don’t use every day, then it’s time to relocate or pitch them. Countertop clutter makes it hard to clean, and these items easily collect dust and moisture. Consider plastic drawers under the sink for less frequently used toiletries or cosmetics.

USE HOOK
Before I’ve had my morning coffee, I need to keep it simple. Neatly folding a towel to hang on a towel rack just feels like too much work for me. Use strong metal hooks for towels, robes, even tools like hairdryers or curling irons for easy storage without much effort.

PURGE REGULARLY
This rule applies to every room in the house, but perhaps most importantly in the bathroom. This just seems to be a room where things will sit for 10-12 years. Check expiration dates regularly on medicines, vitamins and cosmetics. Follow the “when in doubt, throw it out” rule for bathroom items. If you can’t remember when you purchased it, let it go. And if you travel frequently and enjoy raiding the hotel bathroom for miniature soaps, shampoos and shower caps, keep your three favorites and donate the rest to a local homeless shelter.

CADDY FOR CLEANING
Regular cleaning can be a snap if you have all the tools you need readily available. Purchase a small cleaning caddy that fits under your sink and stock it with your favorite supplies. I personally find that a good ol’ Clorox Wipe can clean just about anything in the bathroom. Keep a pair of rubber gloves and a good sponge on hand and you’re ready for a wipe down at a moment’s notice.

KEEP THE PEACE IN SHARED SPACE
If drawer space is limited or non-existent in a shared bathroom, give each individual a personalized bin or caddy filled with their own necessities that can come and go with them. For young children, color code bathroom items such as toothbrushes and hairbrushes and store items where they can reach them independently. If you constantly suffer from bathroom traffic jams, consider establishing another space in your home where cosmetics can be applied or hair can be styled.

GET CREATIVE WITH STORAGE
Consider clever storage tools that make use of vertical space such as wall mounted cabinets or recessed shelving. Baskets are excellent tools for holding towels, a cutlery tray can quickly become a drawer sorter for cosmetics, and storage turntables intended for the kitchen work great under the sink for holding everything from medication to shampoo.