Towels, medicines, makeup and more! A bathroom closet is any families go to place to find something they need. But when that closet door is opened and a big cloud of clutter hits you right in the face, it can turn a good mood, into a bad one. All of a sudden there is annoyance that you just need a band aid quick because the blood from your paper cut is now running down your finger. Then the idea hits, this closet needs to be updated and cleaned out. The shelving is plain and boring. The mismatched bins and baskets are completely run over with expired products and the makeup is mixed in with the toenail clippers and extra toothpaste tubes.

Supplies

Cleaning and organizing the bathroom closet could take a couple days, but I promise that once it’s all organized, morning routines will flow so much better. Organizing can be very fun!! Some of the things that are needed is a cleaning rag, cleaning solution, a vacuum, trash bag, optional wall paper, bins and/or baskets, and labels.

Step 1: Purge!

The first thing to do is purge! It’s my favorite word. Purge, get rid of the clutter and annoyance that produces a bad mood in the first place. Go through everything in the closet and throw out all the expired products first. Then figure out if having 10 tweezers or 534 washcloths is really necessary. Get rid of the excess items, because after some organization, there will be no need to justify all those items.

Step 2: Wipe Everything Down

Next, after purging, go through and wipe everything down. This includes the shelves, any baskets or bins, and the floor. Don’t be surprised by how much dust accumulates. After everything is wiped down, step back and take a look. How can this space be more appealing? A fun thing to try is removable wallpaper. It’s easy to install, wipe down when dirty, and take off if renting or just need a change of scenery.

Step 3: Separate and Categorize

The next thing that should be done is to separate all the items that were taken out of the closet and group them into different categories. Obviously, all the towels will go together. Then medicines in one pile, makeup in another, and so on. At that point, mapping where these items will be placed back in the closet will be the next step. Towels can go up higher, but not to high that they can’t be reached. Items that are accessed every day, like makeup or skin care products, Q-tips, and cotton balls will want to be at eye level or within easy reach. Keeping things that are used every day in a hard to reach area will only ensure continued stress.

Step 4: Measure and Measure Again

After everything is sorted and we have a pretty good idea on where things need to go; the next step is to measure the shelves. This will help in purchasing new bins and baskets. There is nothing more frustrating than spending time finding the cutest baskets, bringing them home, then realizing they will not fit in the area that was selected for their new home. Being prepared before going into the store will be a great benefit in the long run. I like to find clear bins for most items so I can always see the inventory that I have. If there are personal items that need to be hidden, woven or coiled rope baskets work well.

Step 5: Organization Party!

After doing some shopping and finding the cutest bins, get started on that closet organization party! This is the easy part as everything is already sorted into piles and mapped out where these items should be placed on the shelves. If adding wallpaper, take out the shelving and apply the wallpaper to the closet walls. Add the shelving back in and place all the products in the bins that were purchased. Fold all the towels and place them on the shelving of choice. Here is a hint; fold all the towels in thirds, they fit better on the shelf. After having added the towels to the closet, place the bins of products on the shelves.

Step 6: Labeling

The last step is to label all the bins! This helps to find things quickly and also helps anyone with roommates or family members to know where to place items when they restock. Now, this closet is done and will be a serene place to go to and grab any daily item that will be used. Tell me this won’t make your day so much better and brighten your attitude.