Nine steps to clearing your bathroom of clutter

Author: Kat Bern

Have you ever tried to take a relaxing bath, but everywhere you look you see clutter? Cosmetics are almost falling off the shelf, there are half-empty bottles of shampoo everywhere, and it’s becoming tricky for you to find the things you actually like. Clutter makes it difficult to truly enjoy the time you spend in your bathroom, and it makes cleaning a lot harder, too.

To create a serene bathroom, you need to ensure two things – that you can get in and out easily without obstacles, and that you can relax and unwind in there when you want to. Here are nine decluttering strategies that should make both of those things possible.

STEP 1: Declutter before you clean
To set yourself up for success in your decluttering mission, ensure you don’t make the common mistake of cleaning before you begin. It’s easy to start by dusting things off and wiping down surfaces, and before you know it you’ve spent all of your energy tidying and haven’t managed to get rid of anything in the process.

You might find you don’t want to let go of anything you’ve just spent time cleaning, and you’ll just end up having to clean again once you’ve sifted through your stuff. So declutter first, then clean and tidy.

STEP 2: Let go of guilt
Many people end up keeping bath products they’ll never use on the off chance that, “one day”… Perhaps it was a present you don’t like but feel you should keep? Or an impulsive choice you regret, but you want to make the most of the money you’ve spent?

If you haven’t used it in the past month, you won’t miss it when it’s gone. Ask a friend if they want it, donate it (if it’s in good condition), or just simply throw it away. Let go of the guilt and surround yourself with things that make you happy.

STEP 3: Ditch the samples
If you have a stash of samples you’ve collected over time and you’ve promised yourself that one day they’ll come in useful – today is that day. Give yourself a week or two to use them all up, and then discard any that remain. If there’s something you really like, take a photo of the package or write down the name on your phone and then ditch it.

STEP 4: Get rid of old cosmetics
Did you know cosmetics and make-up have use-by dates? It’s important not to use products that are years out of date, particularly creams and foundations you put on your face.

With make-up, there’s also another factor to consider. As the years go by and fashions change, so do our tastes. It’s ok to let go of that bright pink lipstick you liked three years ago and haven’t used since – keeping it will only take up valuable storage space.

Browse more contemporary bathrooms on Houzz

STEP 5: Keep travel supplies in your suitcase
This one is my personal advice for all the frequent travellers out there. I always top up my tiny travel bottles after my voyages and then put them into my travel cosmetics bag straight away – then back into the empty suitcase. The products won’t clutter up your bathroom, bedroom or any other place in the house, and having them all ready will make packing for your next trip much easier.

STEP 6: Be selective with what you display
The best way to test what should be kept on show is to ask yourself, “Would I take this product with me if I were spending the night in a hotel?” If you answered yes, then it can stay, but the rest needs to be put away into the cupboards.

Any items you don’t use frequently (face masks, scrubs) should be hidden away and only taken out when you plan to use them.

STEP 7: Organise your cupboards
It sounds very simple, and in reality it is a simple strategy, but it needs to be reinforced periodically. Sort through your cupboard and group like with like, keeping things you use more often in places that are easier to access.

Keep any extras, maybe things you buy in bulk, out of the bathroom in a bigger storage space to keep your cabinet clutter-free. It will help you use things up first before starting the next bottle.

STEP 8: Bring in a basket or two
Baskets are a great way to add a little extra storage without having to call in a carpenter. Line them up on shelves or even on the floor along a wall and use them to stash everything from towels to spare loo rolls.

STEP 9: Add some final touches
Once you’ve done the decluttering and have had a good clean, it’s time to reward yourself for all your hard work and bring in a few nice touches to give your bathroom that spa mood. Some nicely folded towels and your favourite scented candles are a great way to give yourself a little treat and make good use of all that space you’ve just created.