Organizing Your Bathroom

Want to take a bubble bath?  Light some candles and have a glass of wine?  Sounds wonderful except for one thing, the bathroom in a mess and you know that you won’t be able to relax while looking at the overflowing laundry hamper, the cluttered vanity and the Barbie dolls and action figures lining the side of the tub with a ring around it.   I am here to help you with organizing your bathroom and to reclaim this space to not only function as it should but to also to provide you with that private retreat for when you need a break.  

It’s funny how most people will keep their guest bath presentable for the unexpected visitor while their own private bathroom is a disaster.  It reminds me of something that I learned years ago:  Your front yard is what you present to the world, your public image so to speak, it is what you want others to think of you.  However, your back yard tells a whole different story.   Your back yard reflects your inner self, your self worth or the lack there of.  It reveals whether or not you value yourself and if you take care of yourself.  Your back yard should be an oasis with more flowers than your front yard.  Why?  Because you deserve it, that’s why!  Your master bath is like your back yard!  Put yourself on the list and start taking care of YOU!!!

Our bathrooms can be very hectic in the mornings especially if you share it with someone else.  If your bathroom is organized properly, it will function better and provide a peaceful and more productive morning.  So, let’s take a look around…

Your vanity top should not be where you keep your toiletries (hair spray, shaving cream, lotions, makeup, etc.  It should be clear of clutter and only display items that coordinate with your bathroom’s décor.  I have learned that you can have décor that doubles as storage. 

Let’s take your makeup for example; what do you actually use on a daily basis?  If you are like most women you purchase new things only later to decide they are not right for you and instead of getting rid of them you just add to your hoard.  I suggest that you have a daytime makeup kit and an evening makeup kit. 

Let’s face it, who likes to go rummaging through a million eye shadows just to find the one you wear on a regular basis?  So down size your “daily” items into one small cosmetic bag or small stackable containers with lids.  I have a decorative basket with a lid on it to house my daytime make up.  It sits right on top of my vanity and it goes well with my décor.  What do I have in it?  This is all you will find:  One foundation, one blush, mascara, eyelash curler, two different eye shadows, one eye liner, two shades of lip gloss and two different makeup brushes.  That is it!  So when I get ready in the mornings, I don’t have to dig and it really saves me time.  If I am going out, I have another cosmetic bag that keeps my products for an evening look which I combine with some of my daily items.  Since I don’t get out much, I don’t want to dig through everything just to find my mascara.

If you really think about it, you use different products for different activities, for example:  You have specific products that are just for washing your face and facial skin care.  The same goes for hair care and oral hygiene.  Instead of having all of these products cluttered together, compartmentalize them according to activity.  Creating a container for each one will save you time and frustration.  Plus it looks great.  I am a big fan of using adjustable drawer dividers or junk drawer organizers  in the bathroom.  And under the cabinets, use kitchen cabinet organizers to save space.

For shower and bath products there are many products to help with shower organization.  But take out everything that you don’t use everyday.  Why have 3 different kinds of shampoo in the shower?  If you share your bath with kids that like to play with toys, you will need bath organizers to keep toys  well ventilated as they dry.  

Utilize your sorting bins see ORGANIZING BASICS  and get rid of everything that you don’t use.  If you have travel size items that you only use for traveling, make a container specifically for travel.  Label it accordingly and put away.  This will free up much needed space for the items you use everyday.  Keep everyday items in the front and others towards the back of the cabinet.  Just like the rest of your house, everything needs a place in order to be organized.  But you have to put it back in order to keep it that way!

Clean and sanitize your bathroom before putting your sorted items away.  Clean inside and outside of your cabinets and put down fresh  shelf and drawer liners.  Does your bathroom require a shower curtain?  If so, take down the plastic liner and wash in the washing machine with bleach to get rid of any mold.  Always have an extra shower liner to put up while washing the other.  I like the  Extra Heavy VINYL Shower Curtain Anti-Bacterial – with Clear Top because they hold up better to repeated washings.

A trick to keeping your bathroom clean:  Make a mini cleaning kit to keep in the cabinet.  Use mini spray bottles and containers that can be easily refilled.  Always keep a roll of paper towels.  Use Bounty paper towels to clean instead of rags that need to be washed.  You can scrub with cleanser and they don’t fall apart.  When done, just throw away.  This also helps prevent transfer of germs to another area of the house.  You will be encouraged to clean more often knowing that the supplies that you need are right there.  Having a mini cleaning kit in each bathroom makes quick clean ups easier especially if you have unexpected guest.  Just excuse yourself for a moment and spruce it up.  They will never know.  For the sake of children, make sure they are stored in a child proof cabinet.

I love apothecary jars for bath salts, scrubs and soaps.  These can be beautiful and easily cleaned.

Below you will find some beautiful pictures for inspiration!

Clean, fresh and organized!   Ahhhhhh

PAINTING A VANITY TOP

Remember, while supplies last, you can get a free signed copy of my novel “Small Wonders” with any $100 purchase.  Thank you and God Bless!

 Leave a comment and let me know if this was helpful!  

God Bless

and

Happy Organizing!!!

BIO HAZZARD

One of the main reasons you need to keep your personal items put away in the bathroom is because of bacterial contamination. 
I know this topic is gross but you need to know that research shows that every time you flush your toilet with the lid up, you have contaminated your bathroom up to eight feet away?  Most bathrooms are not much bigger than that!!!  Have you ever flushed the toilet while sitting on it?  You could feel tiny splashes couldn’t you?   These were just the ones that were big enough for you to feel.  There are millions more that are microscopic that authorities refer to as the aerosol effect which are too small to feel or see and can remain in the air up to 90 minutes after flushing.  Where do you keep your toothbrush?  Do a test!  Put food coloring in your toilet bowl then cover it with white paper towels and flush.  You will be amazed.  The lid is there for a reason!  We must teach our families to close it before flushing!  It still spreads with the lid closed but it is reduced 80 – 90%.  All toilets are different.  Hopefully you have one that doesn’t spray as bad.

Now that I have totally grossed you out.  Look around the toilet area.  Do you use the back of the toilet to store items such as toilet paper, air freshener, etc.?  Not a good idea.  Keep this surface free so you can easily wipe or spray with disinfectant on a daily basis.  Do you have an open basket of magazines and books next to the toilet?  Find an attractive container with a lid that can easily be sanitized.  Also, wall paper around the toilet area is a breading ground for bacteria.  You need a painted surface that is easily sanitized.

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