How to Save Bathroom Space

One of the easiest rooms to cram and clutter is the bathroom. Dumping ground for toiletries, cosmetics and accessories, as well as linens, towels and apparel--a tidy, spacious "comfort room" can quickly lose its charm. Fortunately, all it takes is a few tidiness tricks and an ounce of determination to save space and keep your bathroom organized.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baskets, trays or drawer separators
• Attractive containers
• Shelves, caddies or organizers
• Towel hooks or racks

1. Tag your cosmetics. Because make-up and other cosmetics are not required to show expiration dates, it's best to mark your items with the date of purchase. Discard make-up that is more than a year old.

2. Dispose of disposables. Make-up sponges, powder puffs and disposable razors are meant to be used only a few times, and then discarded. Even if they've been used only once, if they end up not being used again for a long period of time, it's time to toss them.

3. Check the medicine cabinet and toiletries drawer for expired products. They should not be allowed to occupy valuable space.

4. Discard or give away the linens and towels that you never use. Donate them to charitable institutions rather than let them eat space and gather dust.

5. Use baskets, glass jars and decorative containers to organize and store daily items like hand towels, cotton balls and facial puffs. Leave them out in the open so that closed cabinets and closets can be used to hide private accessories.

6. Use organizers like shallow trays and spring-loaded separators to arrange assorted items in cabinets and drawers. Organization helps optimize space usage.

7. 
    
   Use shower caddies.

   Use shower caddies to gather hair and body products and place them within safe and easy reach while bathing.

8. Place a hamper inside the bathroom (or close to the door) for easy tossing of dirty clothes and towels.

9. Consider adding hooks, racks or shallow shelving on blank walls to help gather and organize bathroom items and accessories. Add a cabinet to the area above the toilet bowl. Add a toothbrush rack above the sink.

Tips & Warnings

• Check product expiration dates monthly.
• Cosmetics that have changed color, consistency or odor should be discarded.
• Move medication outside the bathroom because moisture could affect them.
• Move jewelry and similar accessories to your bedroom dresser.

Resources

• 10 Best: Organize Your Bathroom
• HGTV: Bathroom Reorganization

[msnicole]

on 2/24/2009 Useful tips!

[jull14]

on 2/24/2009 Wonderful article I will use these ideas, thanks so much