*affiliate links used
I’m kicking off our organization challenge this week with all things bathroom! Yea! I can hear the Rocky music playing in the background. :) Did you download your printable and make your lists? Before we jump into bathroom cupboards and drawers I wanted to share one more important tip for this challenge that I forgot to mention in my last post. Look ahead at your schedule this week and calendar your organizing time. Will it be easiest to work on your bathrooms for 20 minutes each night this week? Or do you have a two hour window on Wednesday evening? Calendar that time and let your family know so that it actually happens. Once you’ve done that, be realistic about how much you can get done. If time is short just focus on really organizing one bathroom. OR just go through each bathroom and purge items you don’t need. Remember that SOMETHING is always better than NOTHING! Other general tips for this challenge are here if you missed them.
Bathrooms can get so out of control! Start by taking everything out of your cupboards and drawers.
I always set items on a towel or rug. Pick up each item and decide if it goes in the keep/donate/trash/re-locate pile. Anything you are trashing goes straight in a garbage bag! If products are old, expired, mostly empty.. trash them. Also recycle all boxes and packages. If it’s a newish product but you haven’t used it in the last three months give it to someone who will. I gave a lot of unused items to my girls when I cleaned out my bathroom.
I didn’t photograph my piles when I initially cleaned this cupboard but I did have piles going for keep/relocate/donate behind me when I took this picture. You’ll find that a lot of bathroom clutter can go straight to the trash! Be ruthless with purging and only keep items you really use and love!
Done with my piles and easily filled a bag of garbage!
I started working on Kenny’s bathroom drawers tonight and snapped a pic of the items I always have on hand when I clean out bathrooms. Garbage bags, paper towels, hot soapy water, a washcloth, and a hand held vac (I bought this one about six months ago to keep in my bathroom/closet and it’s great for quickly cleaning out drawers!).
When cupboards/drawers are REALLY bad and especially if they have a lot of hair (common in bathrooms!) I just use a damp paper towel to wipe out the majority of the mess. If it’s not too bad, I use my handheld vacuum to pick up the dirt/hair. Then I always wipe out and clean the cupboard/drawer with hot soapy water. You can just start with the hot soapy water first if that’s easier. Whatever works for you! I’m just sharing my method. :)
Next categorize your “keep pile” by grouping like items together. All the make-up in one pile, all of your skin care, dental, etc.
Then my favorite part. Putting everything back nice and organized into a clean space! :)
I placed all of my items back into this cupboard and THEN thought about what organizer might work best. I really didn’t need much! Eventually I ordered this lazy susan to hold items I reach for the most often.
When I pulled things out of my drawers my bathroom took a major turn for the worse.. ha. Things always get really bad before they get really good when you’re organizing!
I was starting to categories the “keep” items in this pic (see all the toothpaste, chapstick, contacts together, etc.). We buy a lot of items we use in bulk at Costco so there are always extras to store.
Once I put my “keep” items back in the drawers I could tell I needed some dividers. These sketches came after all of the purging and cleaning was done! I always recommend that you purge and clean BEFORE you order organizers. I think we often get ahead on this because ordering the organizers is fun and it makes us feel like we’re doing something to improve our situation. The thing that actually improves our situation is getting rid of items we don’t need.
{linus shallow drawer organizer}
Let the organizers be the icing on the cake that you get when you reach your goal. :)
A few fun “afters”..
{linus shallow drawer organizer}
{linus shallow drawer organizer}
{linus deep drawer organizers}
Feels amazing when everything is clean, doesn’t it!? These pics are from last April and because this system is so organized and perfect for the way I get ready each day it has been a breeze to keep clean! Tomorrow I’m going to vacuum out my organizers and I think I’ll go through this bottom drawer and give my girls some of these samples because I haven’t used a lot of them. If I haven’t used them in almost a year I know I won’t! Time to say good-bye.
Also take some time to go through towels. Pull everything out of linen closets/cabinets. Donate old towels and treat yourself to some new, clean towels if it’s time. (Animal shelters are a great place to donate old towels!) I’ve replaced a lot of the towels in this picture that were wearing out with these grey/white towels. They are inexpensive and we’ve loved them! They absorb water well and are stylish. My two must haves for towels. :)
Wipe out your cupboards and fold everything nicely and put it back. My bottom baskets hold washcloths I use when I clean.
I hope this post gives you some ideas and motivation to hit the ground running this week and whip your bathrooms into shape! It’s the best feeling to get ready each day in an organized bathroom. I’ll share more of my progress soon. Below are 12 of my favorite bathroom organizers! Just promise me you’ll order what works best in your bathroom after you toss all of the junk. ;)
*sidenote – Numbers 2, 4, 7, 11 and 12 are in my bathroom pics above. I also have #10 in my vanity drawers. They are great but really shallow! Perfect for shallow drawers. I’m obsessed with #9 (wish list!) and #6 looks like a similar/less expensive option for the main drawer dividers I use.
1- woven tank tray 2 – large deep drawer bin 3 – 2-tier organizer basket
4 – linus shallow drawer organizer 5 – hanging shower caddy 6 – 16-piece organizer set
7 – adjustable drawer dividers 8 – clear plastic jar set 9 – woven rattan nesting baskets
10 – expandable drawer organizers 11 – lazy susan 12 – linus deep drawer organizer
Great tips, Erin. You are going to be in your element for this big project! I might take a peek into my bathroom drawers and freshen them up, too. :) This seems to be the month for these types of projects. I appreicate all your hard work. :) Your bathroom is simply beautiful. :)
Thank you so much Jeanne! So sweet of you. Yes! Do it with us! :)
This looks great! How do you handle organizing/storing hair appliances? Specifically, hair dryer, straightener, curling iron. It seems to overwhelm my cabinets =)
Hi Ana! Thank you! I’ll share some ideas for that in my next bathroom post! :)
I had to smile when I read about buying organizers, “I think we often get ahead on this because ordering the organizers is fun and it makes us feel like we’re doing something to improve our situation.” That’s me to a T! I think that if I buy the organizer, it will inspire the organization…but rarely does that happen! So your theory of just getting rid of some stuff so you have less that needs organized is a much better way to go.
It’s so true MaryJo and we all do it! Buying the organizers is the fun/easy part that makes us feel better.. ha! They do serve a purpose but it’s so smart to toss things and get down to the basics first! Happy that made you smile. :)
Erin,
I am still smiling, b/c I have something up my sleeve! I can NOT start this organizing right now(it is BADLY needed, though!)
due to a family members health issues ,but as soon as I can, I will.
I will say that I DO have back up now, though……
Your remark(and PICTURES!)”Things always get really bad before they get really good when you are organizing!”
So many times, my so called “better half” walks in, and in absolute astonishment(horror) says “WHAT, may I ask is going on here??? This is just terrible. How do you expect me to walk through(around) your piles and piles and piles!?!”
I can count more than one time, when I just gave up(put it all back where it came from) due to the comment(and reaction!)
NOT THIS time. although I can not do this along w/you and the other readers, I WILL be ready to get started when the time is right! I have your pictures and comment to back me up ;-D
Erin, also, your statement goes for MORE than JUST cleaning/organizing. It is the PERFECT statement to REMEMBER when bringing up teens or young adults! ohmygosh, it actually fits even better for that!
**THINGS ALWAYS GET REALLY BAD BEFORE THEY GET REALLY GOOD!
I am NOW at the stage where it FINALLY has become really GOOD! Yes, the “FINALLY” in ALL CAPS!
THAT is the “mothering”! The Organizing has a way to go!
It was a LONG haul(mothering teens/young adults) and MUCH more MESSY than cleaning/organizing!
Also, like cleaning/organizing-a breath of FRESH AIR when complete!
Also ,LOTS of “breath holding moments” before the “BREATH OF FRESH AIR”!
Happy organizing and happy “teen mothering” w/your beautiful daughters. The “finish line” is closer than you think!
Wish me a pile of luck to be able to keep up w/the organizing, in spite of a late start!
Sharon! Your comment made my day and it made me laugh! I had to read it to Kenny because he was just telling me last night he didn’t think he would survive this teenage stage with our girls.. ha! I was reminding him that “this too shall pass!” Teen land is so full of ups and downs isn’t it!? It’s crazy. And I’m so happy to know that it won’t always be such a rollercoaster. I wish you were here to council me through it! Then I could help you with the organizing part. ;) Best of luck to both of us! We will get there! :) xo
I’m so excited to be getting going on this 9 weeks to an organized home! I have been wanting to get organized for awhile but its hard to know where to start when everything needs help! I threw out two full bags of garbage today and feel awesome! Thanks :)
YEA! I’m so happy to hear that Katherine! That’s the hardest part isn’t it!? Just knowing where to start. It can be so overwhelming and I was feeling the same way knowing I wanted to touch up each space and really tackle a few areas. We will be so happy when this is done! Two full garbage bags.. amazing! :)
Just last week I searched your blog for bathroom organizing tips and saw the Linus bins. I bought a bunch and organized 2 drawers. Every time I walk by I just want to open the drawers and take a peek :)
What I love about them are the rubber “feet” on the bottom…even though my drawer is about 3/4″ wider than the bins, the bins stay put!
Oh my word.. aren’t they the best Lynette!? I agree. SO GOOD! I’m happy you love them too! :)
i Have been following you for a couple of years but have decided to print the pages you are using – I can t seem to get to the PDF? It make me sign up again with my email but it still doesn’t dhow me the PDF’s? Am i doing something wrong? Thank you!!!
Hi Tammy! You should get a follow up e-mail right after you sign up. If you don’t get that e-mail check your spam/junk mail! A lot of times it goes there. If that’s not the issue let me know!
This is AWESOME! I love the step by step. Thank you for sharing this and helping us all to reach our organization goals!
Thank you so much Carrie! I’m so happy this was helpful! Happy organizing! :) xo
Hey Erin! Thanks for posting this again. The last time you shared your bathroom all organized, I purchased some of the expandable drawer organizers with good intentions of getting my master bathroom drawers better organized. That was months ago and I have yet to get it done!! Ugh! I promise to have it done by the end of this month : ) Or maybe you want to fly out here to the PNW and do it for me?! Ha!
Ha! I wish I could Shari! We would have too much fun getting your bathroom organized! I love that you bought the organizers last Spring.. you are all set! I’ve been the same way with my laundry room. I keep putting that one off. Fingers crossed this is our month to knock them off the list! :) xo
Love the towels you have – the green and salmon colored ones. Where did you buy those? Always looking for some pretty towels
Thank you! Those were from World Market a few years ago!
First of all, I would like to say that I look forward to your post & that you inspires me as a person. You say when an organized draw opens you can hear the angels sing. That is how I feel when I see your post!!! I hope you & your family are all safe & healthy. I think your family is adorable. I just have a few questions. What is the stone/tile that you used in your master shower & your bathroom floor? Also, what did you use in your daughter’s shower as well. I really like those colors or patterns but am having a hard time finding them. Also, you have medicine cabinets in the side walls of your daughter’s vanity? Did you have them specifically made or did you buy those somewhere? My husband & I are in the middle of building a house and I’m stuck on getting these few items picked out. But I absolutely love your house! Thank you! God bless you & family! Julie
Hi Julie! You are so incredibly kind.. thank you for such a sweet comment! That means so much to me! And so exciting that you are building! Our master bathroom shower and floor are all Carrara marble (marble octagons on the shower floor and large rectangle tiles for the floor). My girls’ shower also has a marble floor (same as my shower) but the sides are white subway tiles. The medicine cabinets on the sides of my girls’ bathroom walls we had made custom buy our cabinet guy who did all of our cabinets. I hope that helps! Hang in there! Building is crazy with so many decisions to make. Let me know if you have any other questions! xo
Where did you get towels with ‘dry’ and wash on them?
Hi Heather! Those were from Nordstrom a couple of years ago.. I wish they would bring them back in stock!
Me too! Thank you for responding 😊