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Organization

10 Small Space Solutions for Organizing the Bathroom

April 2, 2021
organized under bathroom sink

Small houses and small bathrooms go hand in hand.  If you are blessed with one, you are challenged by the other. 

There just never seems to be enough storage space for all the towels, shampoos, lotions, and toothbrushes.  Counters end up covered in makeup, showers littered with shampoo bottles, and drawers jammed with hair products.

Clearing the clutter and reclaiming the space isn’t as hard as it may seem.  Adding some additional storage and minimizing the items stored in your bathroom will go a long way in creating a bathroom that feels relaxing and rejuvenating. 

Today I’ll share 10 tips for adding storage and creating organizational systems that streamline your small bathroom and create a space that can be shared by the whole family. 

This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualified purchases.  

1. Utilize the storage space under the sink

Many bathroom vanities have an open cabinet under the sink to allow space for the pipes.  Don’t let this go to waste!

Since there are no drawers or shelves in this area, consider adding some! Not only will you gain usable storage, but no tools or construction is needed.

This freestanding unit from Target is perfect for sliding in underneath a sink and utilizing that deep cabinet space.  The drawers slide out allowing you to store things you may not have had room for before, such as makeup, hair products, face creams, first aid, medicines, and bath toys.

three drawer under the bathroom sink organizer

drawer unit / similar clips in black

2. Slide in a lazy susan to organize plastic bottles

You know I love a good lazy susan in a pantry, but did you know they are amazing in a bathroom as well?  This humble tool is perfect for coraling those plastic shampoo bottles, mouthwash, and lotion bottles under the sink. It’s super easy to access what you need and it prevents bottles from being shoved to the back.

I found this 12″ lazy susan was the perfect size for my small bathroom vanity cabinet. It fills the awkward space between the pipes and the cabinet door and makes my lotion and face wash easy to access (meaning I actually use the products instead of forgetting I own them!)

lazy susan under bathroom sink

lazy susan

3. Minimize products stored in the tub or shower

With multiple family members using the same bathroom, the number of shampoos and body washes can multiply out of control.  Even though each person has their own preferences, it may be worth coming together to see if there is any flexibility in sharing products.   

I like to look for soaps that can solve multiple purposes, like a 3-in-1 that kids can use for shampoo, body wash, and bubble baths.  My kids like Everyone Soap 3-in-1 and I find that I don’t mind using it as well.  

Can you share a shampoo and conditioner as a family?  What about switching to bar soap or bar shampoo?  These decisions can help minimize the number of bottles cluttering the tub and shower.

I edited down my supply by refilling existing containers and using up the bottles with just a tiny bit remaining.  Every little bit you can take out of your bathroom, either by using up, donating, or recycling helps your space feel bigger and less constricting.

amber plastic labeled shampoo bottles

amber plastic pump bottles

4. Flexible drawer dividers give each item a home

Bathroom drawers come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s helpful to find flexible dividers to organize all the little things you find in a bathroom.  These soft plastic dividers from Target come in 3 different sizes and can be squeezed to fit or even cut slightly in order to fit a shallow drawer. 

In our two small drawers, I was able to fit three long dividers to hold toothbrushes and toothpaste.  Not one to let any space go to waste, I squeezed a medium divider into the back for contacts and flossing picks. 

Organized toothbrushes in drawer

long divider

I even like to use drawer dividers in the organizer under the sink.  It helps prevent items from sliding around and keeps similar items like makeup and face cream together.   

organized face and hair products in a bathroom

medium divider

5. Clear clutter from counters

I can’t tell you how many years our toothbrushes have sat on top of our vanity and how much it has bothered me.  I’ve never liked how close they are to the toilet (ahem…) and how they were always in the way when I needed to give the counter a quick wipe. 

With this reorganization, I was determined to get them in a drawer.  Since they are electric and require charging, I know I needed a solution that brought electricity into the vanity.  

I finally took a drill and made a large hole in the side of the vanity.  I was able to feed a small extension cord into the cabinet that now allows us to charge our toothbrushes in the space below the sink.   

Would I have done this with a brand new vanity? Probably not.  But since ours is nearing the end of its useful life I didn’t feel bad about making it work until we can upgrade.

6. Is there space for shelves? Or an additional storage unit?

Many small bathrooms have pedestal sinks without closed cabinet storage.  These bathrooms provide additional challenges since there is literally no place to store a toothbrush or an extra roll of toilet paper.

If you are facing this situation, don’t panic!  Look around the bathroom to see if you have any space you can utilize.

Do you have any wall space?  Shelves can be a great way to add storage where there once was none.  You can store extra towels, toilet paper, and even storage baskets.

If you can’t add shelves, consider investing in a freestanding shelving rack designed to go over the toilet.  Some have closed cabinets and others are simply shelves.  Either way, it’s a great way to add storage without a full bathroom remodel.

bathroom shelf update

We have two small shelves above our toilet and utilize them to hold a basket with extra toilet paper, a clock, and a canister that holds our razors.

7. Add labels to help 

Does your family have a hard time remembering where things go?  Do you need a reminder?  (I do sometimes!)  Labels can help everyone ‘see’ where things go. 

It’s an easy way to identify if an item is out of place and helps designate a defined space for each type of item.  If you don’t have space for more than 3 hair products, you may think twice before purchasing a 4th type to try!  

8. Consider relocating items

Take a hard look at some of the categories of items in your bathroom.  Is there anything you could move out to make space?  Vitamins and medications may do better stored in a kitchen or pantry, away from the steam and heat in a bathroom. First aid may be more accessible from a linen closet. 

I recently realized I kept first aid and medications ALL OVER THE HOUSE.  Some in the bathroom, some in the kitchen, and some in the pantry.  This meant I had no clue how much I actually had and I ended up buying duplicate items repeatedly.  Removing the items from the bathroom for consolidation in the pantry made life much simpler and more organized in our house. 

9. Hooks are your friend

If you have walls or a door, you can hang hooks! Over-the-door hook racks can hold an extra towel or a robe that is easily accessible from the shower.  You can even switch out your towel bars to hooks like I did in my bathroom.

If you are renting or can’t drill into the tile, consider hooks that can be attached using suction cups or 3M Command hooks.  Use them inside the shower to hold bath toys or inside the vanity to hang hair tools.  

bath toys in a mesh bag

10. Use every inch of your small bathroom

Don’t let any space go to waste.  If you have a funky narrow drawer below your vanity like I do, brainstorm ways to use this space to store something useful.  Perhaps long skinny things, like hair straighteners and curling irons.  Or, add small dividers and use the space to organize all the small things – hair bands, q-tips, nail clippers, nail polish, etc.

small drawer dividers in narrow bathroom drawer

small dividers

Remember, the best thing you can do for a small bathroom is to reclaim the space for good by adding additional storage and editing, editing, editing your belongings down to a manageable amount.

By creating systems where everything has a designated home, you will find it’s easier to keep the bathroom clean and organized, even if the whole family is constantly in and out of the space.  

And because everything is better in video, here is our small bathroom in action:

@smallishhome

Organizing the bathroom cabinet! #bathroom #organizingtips #homeorganization #organization #undersinkorganization #organisation

♬ Levitating – Dua Lipa

Have you grabbed your FREE Spring Cleaning & Organizing Checklist?  No? It’s not too late to get started.  Click here to download your copy and start cleaning and organizing with me!  

Happy Organizing!

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Hi! I’m Lisa and I dig smallish homes. I believe they bring families together and provide a constraint on the accumulation of stuff. I’m obsessed with rethinking room design and storage solutions in order to live the life I want in the house I have. I hope you stay a while!
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Only three more sleeps until Christmas and I’ve Only three more sleeps until Christmas and I’ve literally just crossed the last thing off my to-do list.  All the planning, shopping and prep work is done and I’m ready to enjoy the next few days.  If you need me I’ll be eating a gingerbread cookie (or two) while drinking cup after cup of coffee.

Before I go, I wanted to share a few pictures of our minimalist holiday decorations in our living room/ dining room. 

This year we tried something different and cut our own mountain grown tree and I’m LOVING the change.  Even though it’s real skinny, it has the nicest placement of branches and is truly a beautiful tree.

The delicate branches can’t hold heavy lights or ornaments, so I reused the white crocheted snowflakes  and matte black balls from last year, along with a single string of copper LED lights.  So simple, so easy, but still beautiful.  Just what I needed this year.

Wishing you a very happy holiday!
The crows are back! The best decorations are the o The crows are back!
The best decorations are the ones you are  EXCITED to see each year. The ones you instantly pull from the box and start placing in your home. They don’t need to be fancy, or new each year. They just need to bring joy to you and your family. ✨❤️
Surprise! We bought a new home!  And sold our ho Surprise!

We bought a new home!  And sold our home!  It’s been a whirlwind and I’m exhausted.

We are incredibly lucky to have bought our neighbor’s home FSBO.  It’s larger than our current home by ~700 square feet and is a split entry home with most of the living space upstairs and a bonus family room/bedroom in the basement.  

While the rooms (and closets!) are still small, there are more of them.  There will be room for office space for both my husband and myself, a bit more storage, and even a laundry room/mudroom (woo hoo! No more garage laundry for me!)

So what do you think? Do I need to change my name from smallishhome to sortofmidsizehome?  No matter what, I’ll continue to share how I maximize storage in small spaces, because, well, that’s my life and my passion!  

Be sure to check out my stories for a walk through of the new house.  Don’t miss the avocado green tub and original 1960’s kitchen cabinets. So many projects ahead of us!
Hey there! It’s been a while! I’ve had a lot Hey there! It’s been a while!

I’ve had a lot on my plate personally these last few weeks and have had to drop all social media as a way to stay sane and focused on the path ahead.  I love this community, but I just couldn’t give it the time it deserved, so I took a break.  Hopefully you understand. 

I’m trying to ramp back up but could use your help.  What spaces are you having trouble organizing?  What kind of videos would you like to see?  I appreciate each and every one of you and love hearing your suggestions.  It’s what keeps me going when I start to feel stuck!

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Only three more sleeps until Christmas and I’ve Only three more sleeps until Christmas and I’ve literally just crossed the last thing off my to-do list.  All the planning, shopping and prep work is done and I’m ready to enjoy the next few days.  If you need me I’ll be eating a gingerbread cookie (or two) while drinking cup after cup of coffee.

Before I go, I wanted to share a few pictures of our minimalist holiday decorations in our living room/ dining room. 

This year we tried something different and cut our own mountain grown tree and I’m LOVING the change.  Even though it’s real skinny, it has the nicest placement of branches and is truly a beautiful tree.

The delicate branches can’t hold heavy lights or ornaments, so I reused the white crocheted snowflakes  and matte black balls from last year, along with a single string of copper LED lights.  So simple, so easy, but still beautiful.  Just what I needed this year.

Wishing you a very happy holiday!
The crows are back! The best decorations are the o The crows are back!
The best decorations are the ones you are  EXCITED to see each year. The ones you instantly pull from the box and start placing in your home. They don’t need to be fancy, or new each year. They just need to bring joy to you and your family. ✨❤️
Surprise! We bought a new home!  And sold our ho Surprise!

We bought a new home!  And sold our home!  It’s been a whirlwind and I’m exhausted.

We are incredibly lucky to have bought our neighbor’s home FSBO.  It’s larger than our current home by ~700 square feet and is a split entry home with most of the living space upstairs and a bonus family room/bedroom in the basement.  

While the rooms (and closets!) are still small, there are more of them.  There will be room for office space for both my husband and myself, a bit more storage, and even a laundry room/mudroom (woo hoo! No more garage laundry for me!)

So what do you think? Do I need to change my name from smallishhome to sortofmidsizehome?  No matter what, I’ll continue to share how I maximize storage in small spaces, because, well, that’s my life and my passion!  

Be sure to check out my stories for a walk through of the new house.  Don’t miss the avocado green tub and original 1960’s kitchen cabinets. So many projects ahead of us!
Hey there! It’s been a while! I’ve had a lot Hey there! It’s been a while!

I’ve had a lot on my plate personally these last few weeks and have had to drop all social media as a way to stay sane and focused on the path ahead.  I love this community, but I just couldn’t give it the time it deserved, so I took a break.  Hopefully you understand. 

I’m trying to ramp back up but could use your help.  What spaces are you having trouble organizing?  What kind of videos would you like to see?  I appreciate each and every one of you and love hearing your suggestions.  It’s what keeps me going when I start to feel stuck!
⁣I woke up today and saw it - 10K. I’m in sho ⁣I woke up today and saw it - 10K.  I’m in shock. ⠀
⠀
I’m so grateful for each and every one of you who chose to follow my account and watch me organize my smallish home. ⠀
⠀
My goal has always been to share my love of organization and design - while hopefully inspiring others to show their own home some love. ⠀
⠀
No matter how small or large your space may be, I hope you are able to walk away with a few ideas of ways to maximize the space you have.⠀
⠀
In the meantime, I’ll keep working space by space in my own home, adding functionality and order that fits the needs of my family and the space that I have.⠀
⠀
I’d love to know what you would all like to see more of - let me know in the comments what you’d like to see me tackle next!⠀
⠀
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#10k #10kfollowers #organizationmotivation #motivation #simplifylife #simplify #organizedmom #organizing #homeorganization #declutter #diyorganizer #diyorganization #smallhomeliving #getorganized #stayorganized #letsgetorganized  #tidyhome #mysmallishhome #lessismore
⁣It’s a rainy Monday here and all I want to do ⁣It’s a rainy Monday here and all I want to do is drink mugs of hot tea nonstop.  But tea can be a tricky item to store!⠀
⠀
When it’s in the box, you never know how many tea bags are left.  But take them out of the box and they slide all over the shelf!⠀
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Using some sort of small, clear, lidded container keeps the bags together and helps you see when it’s time to restock.  Bonus points if the containers can stack, allowing you to store multiple varieties in a small space. ⠀
⠀
These containers are from Target, but any food storage container will work. Even the cheap plastic food storage containers from the grocery store. ⠀
⠀
What is your favorite variety of tea?  I’m a big fan of English Breakfast if I need a little caffeine boost (which I’m definitely in need of today!)
⁣Do you ever have weeks where you just can’t g ⁣Do you ever have weeks where you just can’t get back on track?⠀
⠀
Where you feel tired, and all you see is work that needs to get done?⠀
⠀
It can be hard to figure out where to start.⠀
⠀
I’ve been struggling to get myself moving the last few weeks after experiencing a family emergency that knocked the wind out of my sails. ⠀
⠀
But I know it’s time to turn things around.  Here are my go-to steps for getting back on track: ⠀
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1️⃣Get those machines working for me.  I always get the dishwasher running and then start a load of laundry.  It makes me feel productive and gets the momentum going for the rest of the day.⠀
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2️⃣Grab a pen and a notebook, plus either a glass of water or a cup of coffee, and sit down.⠀
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3️⃣Take everything in my head and write it down.  Everything that needs to be done, everything that needs to be bought, every card that needs to be written, bills that need to be paid, people I need to message back.  I write it down so it isn’t in my head.⠀
 ⠀
4️⃣Circle one thing that I can do now and finish.  Maybe I only have 10 minutes, but in those 10 minutes I can pick up a room, put away laundry, or go through a stack of paperwork.  Anything that will make progress on my list but Isn’t too big of a project that I can’t finish.⠀
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5️⃣Once I’ve done just one thing, I try to reward myself with some sort of self care.  It can be anything that makes me feel good - going for a walk, stopping in at a store, looking at a magazine, or maybe just scrolling on my phone for a few minutes.⠀
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6️⃣Then, I look back at my list and prioritize in order of importance.  I’ll choose the task with the highest priority and start working down. ⠀
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While this process works, it sometimes takes a few days.  I just keep repeating it over and over until things start clicking again. ⠀
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Getting outside helps too.  Fresh air and movement seem to do a world of good.⠀
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How have you been feeling lately?  Are you crushing that to-do list or are you feeling like you need like 3 clones of yourself in order to get it all done?⠀
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Photo by @callimechemphotography

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