Looking for simple bathroom organization ideas? Here are 17 ideas to get the bathroom ready for the new year.
I am in the middle of an organizing whirl.
Is it just me or can anyone else here appreciate the satisfaction of opening up a drawer or a cabinet or closet and seeing piles of stray post-it notes or paper or containers of half-used hand lotion or paper towels.
And after an hour of sorting and rearranging and tossing and cleaning?
That drawer or cabinet or closet looks like it stepped out of a magazine.
Sigh.
It’s just so fulfilling.
I moved to the bathrooms yesterday.
Need a little inspiration to embark on your own satisfying organizing journey.
Here are 17 simple ideas for bathroom organization (my favorite is number 4) .
17 Simple Ideas for Bathroom Organization
1. Find a trash can with a lid
We have one just on the other side of this toilet (it’s kind of shy) and it’s a game-changer.
You just step on the pedal and it lifts up the top. Buddy kept getting into the trash until we came up with these new trash cans that tuck everything away and keep everything nice and neat.
This one has over 40,000 reviews on Amazon.
Also–if you need extra storage by the toilet I found this rolling rack.
2. Organize drawers
This is one of my favorite tasks. I just cleared out these drawers in the bathroom.
Here are some simple ideas for drawer organization:
- take everything out of the drawers first (it’s so much easier to organize if you start with an empty drawer)
- throw away anything that’s damaged or expired or dried up
- get rid of duplicates if needed (some I moved to a cabinet for guests)
- sort items so like is grouped with like (for example– I put toothpaste and toothbrush together and hair brushes and hair clips together)
- wipe down the drawer and clean all the extra product and dust off the bottom
- put everything in its place in flexible organizers (these are my favorite that we use all over the house)
3. Use baskets for storage
Towels and washcloths and extra hand towels are stored in baskets under the sink.
Stacks are added when they are washed.
(total aside: is there anything better than clean-smelling towels fresh out of the dryer?)
Then there’s a towel rack next to the bathtub for used towels to air out and dry.
4. Sort towels
I went through all the towels in the bathroom and got sorted them into two piles: those that needed to be donated to our local animal shelter and those that could be saved.
For the upstairs bathrooms, I have white towels that are interchangeable between either room.
These are the towels I’ve ordered on repeat (they hold up so well in the wash and feel so fluffy after all this time).
You can see how I organize the linen closet with all the towels here.
I ordered these monogrammed hand towels for the twins’ bathroom and they are SO CUTE and affordable.
Also—one last tip for the bathroom. I was using white washcloths to take off my make-up, but then I stayed at Leslie’s house in Waco and she had the most amazing make-up washcloths that were dark to hide the make-up stains. So I ordered a set of my own.
You can see the make-up remover washcloths I ordered here.
5. Pretty dishes for rings and jewelry
I keep pretty containers by all the sinks to keep rings or jewelry when we are getting ready.
It’s so much easier to apply hand lotion without your rings on.
A pretty soap container is a must, too.
Light for bathroom linked here
Those were just a few of the ideas I used for this bathroom.
Everything is neat and in its place.
It’s so satisfying.
Here are some other simple ideas I found for bathroom organization
- Add over-the-door hooks on the door to hang towels and robes
- Hang hand towels from hooks instead of towel bars
- A tiered tray on the countertop is a pretty way to store bathroom essentials
- Add a pull-out mirror so you can see the back of the head to check on ponytails and buns
- Use a lazy susan in the back cabinets to make everything easier to reach
- Add a tray to the counter to keep everything organized in one place
- Place a narrow rolling shelf next to the toilet that pulls out
- Use a corner shelf in the tub/shower area to add extra storage for shampoo and conditioner
- Add organizers to the inside of cabinet doors for even more under cabinet storage
- Use the rings on your shower curtain to hang a shoe organizer for extra storage in the shower
- If there’s not enough counter space, hang an organizer directly onto the mirror
- Add pretty containers for cotton balls, q-tips, and make-up brushes
Are you organizing right now?
How is it going?
YOU GOT THIS.
I’d love to hear any tips and ideas you have.
We satisfied organizers have to stick together. 🙂
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
It's snowing here in Massachusetts, and there is no school, so I'm home today. My task for the day will be to organize the bathroom drawers. Thanks for the inspiration!!! xoxo
I love all your ideas! I’m saving this so I can go back and use some of your ideas! The trash can with a lid is brilliant. I honestly never thought of that. One of my fur babies likes to get into small trash cans. I’ll be ordering this one. Hugs,
Am I crazy? This gives me goosebumps!! I'm a Virgo, and although I'm not into astrology, I know we can be perfectionists and fuss budgets. I told my husband I should have been in the military - his response "Yup". I redid our large linen closet a while ago. First I bought 12 sets of towels - 6 white/6 grey. Instead of buying the washcloths that matched I bought a lot of simple white ones. The washcloths don't hold up as well as the towels, and the white ones have worked out great. I then bought a bunch of grey plastic bins to hold sheets, etc. Also, from Target some grey and white woven bins. Sometimes I open the doors just to admire it!!!! I've been texting my daughter this morning. She is redecorating and wallpapering her laundry room. She is installing new cabinetry, farm sink, faucet, lighting all herself. Her next project is updating and organizing the bathroom off the laundry room that her husband uses. It must be an inherited trait! Thanks for all the inspiration - your bathroom is simply gorgeous.
You are rocking this organization…but, I am in love with the color palette! Pulling everything out needs to happen here!
Love the colorfulness of your shower curtain - is this a Walmart purchase or elsewhere? =)
I got mine from Wayfair last year but it's sold out! I found this one that's super similar on Amazon (and it's 20% off right now)! Here's the link (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3t8SMiA
I love your house and your ideas. My added preference is purchasing items made in the US.
Never thought of using a shoe organizer in the shower. You always have the best ideas!
Getting a waste basket with a lid was a game changer for me too. I keep wondering why I didn't think of it sooner because our dog got into the trash also. I was just thinking this morning that I need new towels and couldn't remember who recommended some good ones, so thanks for the link. How are you and your husband doing with the empty nest? Seems your home was a hub of activity and now it's just the two of you I think. Bless your day.
Wait, don't leave me hanging! I was just about to hit the submit button on Etsy for a pretty floral shower curtain when I spotted yours. Source please!!! And what about the art on the wall? How is it holding up to moisture from the shower? I'm looking for ideas of pretty art for a small bath. Thanks, KariAnne.
I got mine from Wayfair last year but it's sold out! I found this one that's super similar on Amazon (and it's 20% off right now)! Here's the link (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3t8SMiA
Perfect timing ! This is my project for the weekend! Thanks for these great tips! I love your ideas Karianne!
We have family members that come for holiday stays, etc. I prefer not to be spending my time washing towels, etc. so need to have extras for these special times. How do you organize bathrooms for more people?
I love everything you do and share with us. I want to order towels and find this size not big enough to comfortably wrap around my body. I have been using beach towels. Most are not thick and fluffy enough for me. Plus I want the biggest towels to be white. Any ideas? Thank you
Nancy, I totally get it! I LOVE my towels big! I found these that have over 18,000 reviews on Amazon and they are over-sized (35' x 70') Here they are in white (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3zDOWz4 happy day! KariAnne
Hi I was hoping you were going to show the answer to my problem. I am looking for some kind of a little cabinet/shelf/etc to go by the toilet. You know the one that you said rolls out and has shelves. I want one to store cleaning supplies, plunger, toilet brush, rubber gloves and is narrow and tall enough for everything and tucks in between the wall and the toilet behind that garbage....sigh
Mary, I found this one with amazing reviews on Amazon! Is that is what you were looking for (affiliate): https://amzn.to/3Fcc0WK happy day! KariAnne
Love this post and LOVE the overhead light you have by the shower. Can you share the source for that please. I always enjoy reading your blog and your home is amazing. You are such an inspriation Kari. Happy New Year to you and your family.
I LOVE the overhead light you have by the shower. Can you share the source for that please. I always enjoy reading your blog and your home is amazing. You are such an inspriation Kari. Happy New Year to you and your family.
Penny, Of course! I got it at Lamps Plus! Here's the link (affiliate): https://bit.ly/31CvvKk happy day! KariAnne
Just reading your post made me feel as if I was going to walk into my own bathroom and find it all fluffed and organized 😄 a girl can dream right? Well anyway, you gave me some great ideas and the affiliate links to a couple products I'm going to be buying! Thanks so much for all the info I appreciate it!
Karianne, There is almost nothing as satisfying as organizing cabinets and drawers in my house after the holiday chaos! Now if they would only stay that way!!! Love your ideas.Next on my list is our master bathroom and you have inspired me to start on it this week.
Curious if you have information on the shower curtain? Those flowers made me smile! Thank you!
I love organizing and have since I was a little girl. I would organize when I would babysit or go to a relative's house! I just have it in me. Now I am a labeler! Just like to label every shelf, so I (and everyone else) know where things go. It just comes natural or easy to me!!!