How to Organize
BATHROOMS

Mornings are hectic enough without having to search for your favorite lipstick. Touch up this busy space with some paring down and a few simple updates. Then you and your powder room can get off to a fresh start.

Streamline Storage

The biggest challenge in keeping even the smallest of bathrooms in order? Taming all the stuff.

• At least twice each year, weed out expired makeup and beauty products and eliminate any duplicates, forgotten items, or impulse purchases that you’ve never used.
• Take this opportunity to also rotate out any seasonal items—sunburn-soothing aloe in summer, moisturizing creams for itchy, dry winter skin.
• After decluttering, arrange only the most-used products on shelves or easy-to-access spots. Put all the rest in a cabinet or coordinated bins (or even in a nearby linen closet).
• Decant bulk toiletries into manageable, uniform containers, like the ones shown on page 22, which are stored smartly within an adjustable bathtub rack.
• If storage is scarce, make use of free vertical space. Mount shelves in a narrow nook, as shown on page 22, or on the wall above a toilet. Don’t overlook the back of the door, too (look for over-the-door units at housewares stores).
• Plan for just two bath towels per person—one in use while the other is being laundered. This not only cuts down on the need for storage, it also reduces your laundering load (and water usage).
• Tuck a small stool in the bathroom to reach items kept up high.

Keep It Tidy

Where to put the spare towels and toothbrushes? The following are some ways to keep these and everything else in order.

• Apply the grouping principle to store like with like, corralling combs and brushes, shaving products, nail polishes, and other often-used and odd-shaped items in separate containers.
• In the same vein, assign a separate shelf or bin to each category of toiletries, as an easy way to keep track of them (and for others to know where to find and replace them).
• A single large bin is harder to keep orderly than two (or three) smaller ones; those that stack have the same footprint. Label them or choose bins with clear lids so there’s no guesswork required.
• Between lotions, potions, and other spill-prone liquids, bathroom shelves can get dirty. Line each shelf with easy-to-clean, cut-to-size sheets of Plexiglas, or use clear or patterned shelf liner so it blends in with the decor.
• Strategically placed hooks happen to be great space-savers, keeping towels within easy reach of the bath or shower. Mount towel bars inside the door for out-of-the-way drying after each use.

Martha Must

Keep a small squeegee in your shower and use it to wipe down the walls, and doors if you have them, after each use; even my grandchildren know to do this. It helps prevent moisture buildup and makes weekly cleaning easier to do.