We can all recognize a beautiful bathroom, but it can be difficult to tell what actually makes the space appealing. Some folks choose to incorporate bold, bright colors into their bathrooms, with a textured mat or patterned shower curtains. With other bathrooms, neutral tones and pops of fresh greenery read as modern and elegant. Your bathroom organization method should reflect how you want to feel when you’re in it. If you’re hoping to refresh your space, consider what you don’t find or see in organized, appealing bathrooms. Here are six things that often lead to a cluttered space, and that you won’t find in an organized bathroom.
1. Old Makeup or Skin Care Products
Do yourself (and your skin) a favor by tossing any expired products into the trash. Not only will this free up your vanity for fresh trends, or new versions of your favorite classics, but it’ll also save you from the realization that you’ve been using the same mascara for — gasp — one-and-a-half years.Most beauty products will have a small symbol on the back of their container indicating the product’s shelf life in months. If you haven’t used a certain concealer, eyeliner or eye shadow palette in six months, it’s best to toss it. By going through your makeup kit regularly, you’ll also give yourself time to think about which products you enjoy using and which products may not have been the best fit for your skin or lifestyle.
2. Multiple Bottles of the Same Products
This tends to be a sneaky culprit of clutter in many bathrooms. If you’re getting close to the end of your moisturizer and decide to buy a new one, don’t pull it out until you’ve finished the first bottle. Be sure to also throw out the old product before opening the new one.Do you really need three sticks of deodorant? If you have backup products, keep them in a linen closet or tucked away in a bathroom cupboard until you’re ready to use them. The same rule of thumb for your makeup also applies to other toiletries: if you’ve tried a product and don’t like it, it most likely won’t become part of your routine, so throw it out.
3. Random Household Items
Organized people don’t keep empty cups, dirty towels and other random household items in their bathrooms. If an item doesn’t have a use in your bathroom, put it back in its place (or create a more appropriate space for it). You can tell who regularly cleans their home by the state of their bathroom, so you better ensure that yours is a clean one. Bathrooms that appear messy or unorganized often have products in them that don’t belong in a bathroom.4. General Clutter
Once you’ve tackled the clutter that naturally occurs in a bathroom from the products you need, you should also clear your bathroom of items that could be displayed or stored elsewhere in your home. Not only should you minimize things that are on display in your bathroom — soaps, shampoos, candles, towels, knickknacks, etc. — you should also throw out anything unneeded.The less you have taking up storage space, the happier you’ll be with the room and the more space you’ll have for what’s essential in your bathroom routine. If you have glass cabinets or shelves, be strategic about what you’re displaying. Glass-front cupboards can magnify clutter if you’re lining shelves with products and personal items, so consider minimizing the number of products you have, or finding storage containers that make them easier to pull out and stow away after use.
5. Cords
Have you noticed that the gorgeous bathrooms on social media aren’t showing off straighteners or curling irons? Cords are an easy way to make a space look busy and unpolished, which is why we’d recommend storing corded items out of sight. If you use these tools daily, try a container that hangs onto a towel rack, or place them inside a cupboard.6. Grime
Once you’ve cleared out the clutter of makeup, toiletries and hair tools, clean your bathroom as a final step in your journey to a permanently organized bathroom. Even if you have a tiny half-bath without a ton of storage space, you’ll be amazed at how the occasional deep-clean makes a world of difference.Wiping down your counters so that they’re free of grime will instantly brighten up a space. You could have the most organized bathroom in the world, but if it’s dirty, it won’t look welcoming.
Wipe down the mirrors, run a vacuum or mop over the floors and scrub off dried toothpaste from inside the sink — your bathroom will immediately feel like the relaxing space it should be to start and end your day. If you’re hoping to clean your bathroom and don’t know where to start, grab an all-purpose cleaner for the counters and sink.
By Abigail Wilt
Southern Living is the ultimate insiders’ guide to Southern culture, recipes, travel and events. Packed with recipes, decorating tips, entertaining ideas, and travel guides, Southern Living delivers the best of the South right to you. Online at www.southernliving.com.
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