Delightful decluttering — how to organise your bathroom

In a small bathroom, a few unused products here and there can quickly add up, dominating your space. So before you begin investing in endless storage products, reduce how much you need to store.

You think you know what's in your bathroom, but you don't. Your first step is to investigate every storage space and empty it completely. It’s like doing a stocktake and only once you see everything in front of you, can you begin decluttering.

Related article - Bathroom items - the essentials' checklist

Now that everything is out in the open, it's time to take a critical eye to what's been sitting in the space. For example, how much hair product do you own and how much do you genuinely need?

First, examine the products that can and likely have expired. Everything from makeup to shampoos expires. If you haven't used it in a year or two, it's time for it to go.

Next, consider what doesn't expire but hasn't been put to use. If it's only taking up space and not serving you, consider tossing it out. It's time for those old hairbrushes, untouched hot tools and lotions with a smell you never liked to go.

Things like extra toilet paper make sense to keep in your bathroom but you’ll no doubt find you have things that aren’t essential on a day-to-day basis.

For example, if you find yourself taking your medications in your kitchen, it might make more sense to move your medicine cabinet or at least some contents out of the toilet's space. Or, if you do your hair in your bedroom, easily accessible hair tools may be best kept in your room.

By eliminating what’s actually used elsewhere, you’ll reduce the amount of bathroom storage you need to invest in.

Here's the rule about what stays - everything must have a place. If you can't find a home for an item while you're organising, you never will.

Of course, everything doesn't need to have a space right away. Now that you've narrowed everything down to what you want to remain in your bathroom, you can start exploring storage ideas. But if even the best storage tricks don’t create a home for an item, then it's simply not meant to be and shouldn't make the cut.

When learning how to organise your bathroom, remember that you're not limited to what was built into the space. Just because the home was built with only one towel rack in the bathroom doesn't mean you're limited to only one towel rack.

Make every space from the bathroom cabinet to the walls your own and discover what storage ideas best suit your space.

Related article - 18 neat bathroom storage ideas for Australian homes

Even the smallest cabinets can get a royal upgrade to serve your needs better. For example, storage organisers like Lazy Susan storage solutions are an excellent way to add storage capacity. The extra options will allow you to organise in a way that best suits your space and objects. There are also inserts you can get for drawers to help with organisation and innovative products like hideaway hampers to keep your laundry in order.

Storage isn't limited to what fits in drawers. You can also add additional storage options to your walls to maximise the space.

One ideal addition for bathrooms is a towel rail. Some are much larger and hold many more towels than the standard one or two. This allows you to take some out from storage and place them where they're easily accessible and take up less space.

Another must are floating shelves. These don't take up any additional floor space but allow you to significantly increase the storage in your bathroom. This is ideal for keeping your bathroom products handy without needing to stuff drawers.

When looking for storage options, make sure they fit a bathroom's needs. For example, for wet and moist environments, some materials are better than others. A shower caddy is ideal for storing bath items because it won't be damaged by water but will still keep everything organised.

One of the best ways to make your space feel tidy is to increase your counter space. So rather than having a repurposed mason jar taking up precious space, you can find space savers like a glass holder. You still have the items you want close by while keeping your counters free.

Related article: How to elevate your bathroom with stylish accessories

You've organised your space, but now what? It won't do you much good if you don't keep it from becoming cluttered. Thankfully, after a good spring clean and organising of all your bathroom products, there are some simple ways you can keep things tidy.

When finding an organisation system, ensure that it's sustainable. Your frequently used products should be easy to reach and everything should have a space of its own. This way, you can keep up with this system, and you can accurately assess when you have too much.

Rather than waiting a year to clean out the eyeliner that's been sitting at the back of a drawer, regular sortings will also make them smaller and more manageable. So, for example, when you buy a new soap dispenser, it's probably time to throw the old one out rather than stuffing it in a drawer just in case you need it again for a time that’s unlikely to come.

With this guide, you now know how to organise your bathroom in an efficient way. A freshly organised space done well can be just as refreshing as a fully remodelled one. By creating a declutter bathroom space you’ll discover a new sense of enjoyment and be motivated to maintain it going forward.

Related article: How to decorate a bathroom - 13 stylish tips