Our Best Tips for Bathroom Closet Organization and Decluttering

Organizing a bathroom closet is essential in any home due to the limited storage space in these areas. While many bathrooms come with a medicine cabinet or a well-equipped vanity featuring cabinets and drawers, having a built-in closet allows for additional storage. Bathroom closets are particularly useful for keeping towels and toiletries within easy reach, especially if your home lacks a dedicated linen closet. Follow this guide and employ smart storage ideas to get your bathroom closet in order.

How to Declutter a Bathroom Closet

Before tackling the organization of your bathroom closet, there are a few preliminary steps to follow. Properly preparing the space is key to maintaining an organized environment.

Start by emptying the entire closet and creating separate piles. Group together expired items, items that are no longer needed or wanted, and items that belong elsewhere.

Check expiration dates on all medications and first aid supplies. Many beauty items also display a symbol with a number, like 6M, 12M, or 18M, indicating how long the product is good after opening. If you're unsure, inspect items closely and discard anything that looks or smells off.

For items that are unused and unexpired but not needed, consider donating them to a charity, family in need, or a friend. Animal shelters often accept towels of all sizes and conditions—just check with your local shelter for their specific needs.

Return items that don't belong in the bathroom to their proper locations. You should now have only items that are appropriate to keep in your bathroom closet.

Clean the Bathroom Closet

With the closet emptied, give it a thorough cleaning. Vacuum any dust or debris, spray and wipe down all surfaces, and buff out any scuff marks. If you wish to repaint the interior or lay down shelf liners, now is the time to do it.

Sort Bathroom Essentials

Examine your remaining items. For efficient organization, assign clear categories such as towels, toilet paper, shower products, makeup, etc. Designate a shelf for each category, keeping the most frequently used items easily accessible. Store bulk supplies on higher or lower shelves, or towards the back.

Decide on the best storage products and arrangements for your items, considering your lifestyle to maximize space and ensure easy access.

Bathroom Closet Organization Ideas

Use a combination of the following methods to optimize your bathroom closet space.

Employ Baskets

Use coordinating baskets for an easy and neat organization. Baskets keep things contained and reduce visual clutter, especially on open shelves. Fabric or rope baskets are ideal for towels, while recycled plastic or acrylic baskets are better for items that might leak, like cough syrup or body oil.

Label each basket by category to minimize guesswork. Opt for sizes that fit your shelves' dimensions to maximize space.

Add a Lazy Susan

A lazy Susan is a simple solution for organizing tall items like shampoo bottles, sunscreen, and hairspray. They are easy to clean in case of spills. Use a divided turntable to separate medicine by type or to keep adult products distinct from children's items.

Stack Bins

Utilize the height of tall closet shelves with stackable containers. Stackable, open-front metal or bamboo bins are perfect for extra rolls of toilet paper or paper towels. Clear, stackable drawers can be used to organize makeup by type, while lidded bins are great for storing toothpaste tubes and replacement razors.

Use Glass Jars

For closets without doors, maintaining an organized and visually pleasing appearance is crucial. Glass apothecary jars serve both functions. Use them to store bath bombs, salts with a scoop, soap bars, and cotton balls or swabs. This combination of style and functionality is perfect for bathroom closet organization.

Divide Shelves

Shelf dividers are excellent for keeping linens neat and upright. Learn simple towel folding techniques and apply them consistently to face, hand, and bath towels. Dividers help keep folded towels in line, and labeled clips make it easy for guests to find what they need or for family members to return towels to the right spot after laundry day. Don’t worry if your closet has wire shelving; there are plenty of compatible dividers available.

Install Freestanding Drawers

Deep shelves can lead to forgotten items, causing expired products or unnecessary duplicates. Prevent this by installing sliding drawers on existing shelves. Most home improvement stores offer a variety of styles, from chrome to wood, and can help you find the right size for your closet. Once installed, you can pull out the drawer to see everything you have and easily reach what you need.

More Ways to Get Your Bathroom Organized

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