The Joy of a Clutter-Free Bathroom
Take the time to reorganise and streamline your bathing space, and see the positive impact it has on your every day
Laura Gaskill
20 February 2017
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
Imagine entering your bathroom to see clean, clear surfaces, freshly folded towels and just a few carefully chosen bath products beside the sink. A small vase of flowers brightens up the windowsill, and a tray resting over the tub holds a candle and essential oils, awaiting your next leisurely soak. If that image is far from the current reality of your bathroom, perhaps it’s time for a fresh start.
Choose the best and let go of the rest
A simple, clarified space is within reach if you’re truly honest with yourself about what you want to keep in the bathroom – and give yourself permission to let go of everything else. It’s better to have a few products you love and use daily than a dozen half-empty containers of products you don’t really like. Likewise, choose to keep only your favourite bath mat and best towels, instead of using those so-so sets in rotation.
A simple, clarified space is within reach if you’re truly honest with yourself about what you want to keep in the bathroom – and give yourself permission to let go of everything else. It’s better to have a few products you love and use daily than a dozen half-empty containers of products you don’t really like. Likewise, choose to keep only your favourite bath mat and best towels, instead of using those so-so sets in rotation.
Take action: Centre yourself by taking a few deep, mindful breaths before you begin clearing out the space. When you’re ready, sort through the bathroom one drawer, shelf and cabinet at a time, choosing the items you love and use and removing everything else. Don’t worry just yet about where those ousted items will end up. Start by simply removing them from the room.
Mindful living made easy
Mindful living made easy
Tidy up what’s left
Wipe down the sink and other surfaces, fold or roll up clean towels, and place your everyday toiletries neatly on a tray or shelf. Take your time and really shine up the surfaces. With less clutter, it should be easier to give the space a thorough cleaning.
Wipe down the sink and other surfaces, fold or roll up clean towels, and place your everyday toiletries neatly on a tray or shelf. Take your time and really shine up the surfaces. With less clutter, it should be easier to give the space a thorough cleaning.
Rethink your routine
As you’re clearing the clutter, take this opportunity to rethink your morning and evening routines. Do you tend to feel rushed and disorganised in the mornings? If so, simplifying and streamlining your bathroom routine (including the number of products you’re using) could help. Try removing all but the essentials from the room and see what it feels like to use this simplified space. If it feels good, stick with it.
As you’re clearing the clutter, take this opportunity to rethink your morning and evening routines. Do you tend to feel rushed and disorganised in the mornings? If so, simplifying and streamlining your bathroom routine (including the number of products you’re using) could help. Try removing all but the essentials from the room and see what it feels like to use this simplified space. If it feels good, stick with it.
Take action: Sometimes it’s difficult to clear out all the clutter in one go. If that’s the case for you, take a break and revisit your clearing project the next day (or week). Often it’s during the second pass that we feel more ready to let go of items. An intermediate measure can be to place the nonessential products in a small basket and temporarily store it in a hall or bedroom cupboard.
Kick-start a whole-house decluttering
Kick-start a whole-house decluttering
Find the right details
Once your space is clutter-free, you can begin to think about whether what you have in the space is really doing its job well. For instance, if you want to take relaxing baths more often, perhaps a small stool to hold your book or cup of tea beside the tub would help. Or if your sink-side essentials still feel disorganised, maybe bringing in a small basket or tray to corral them would make things feel neater.
Once your space is clutter-free, you can begin to think about whether what you have in the space is really doing its job well. For instance, if you want to take relaxing baths more often, perhaps a small stool to hold your book or cup of tea beside the tub would help. Or if your sink-side essentials still feel disorganised, maybe bringing in a small basket or tray to corral them would make things feel neater.
Take action: Before you go out and purchase new items, take a walk through your home to see if you can repurpose a few things you already own. Ceramic cups and dishes from the kitchen can be used as plant pots, toothbrush holders and soap dishes, and all sorts of storage baskets can be put to work holding towels and extra supplies.
And if you haven’t yet gotten rid of the items you removed from the bathroom, make a point of doing so now.
And if you haven’t yet gotten rid of the items you removed from the bathroom, make a point of doing so now.
Savour your new space
Use your newly refreshed space as a reminder to slow down and be mindful. When you wash your hands at your fresh, clean sink, keep your mind focused on the cool water and the scent of the soap instead of thinking about all the things on your to-do list. Instead of hurrying through your morning routine, take an extra moment to carefully put your things back where they belong, and enjoy the small satisfaction that comes from leaving a space better than you found it.
Browse bathroom images for inspiration
Use your newly refreshed space as a reminder to slow down and be mindful. When you wash your hands at your fresh, clean sink, keep your mind focused on the cool water and the scent of the soap instead of thinking about all the things on your to-do list. Instead of hurrying through your morning routine, take an extra moment to carefully put your things back where they belong, and enjoy the small satisfaction that comes from leaving a space better than you found it.
Browse bathroom images for inspiration
Take action: Once your bathroom is clean and clutter-free, pick and choose from the list below to enhance your morning and evening routines:
Tell us
How do you keep your bathroom a serene, clutter-free space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
Read more stories about organising your space
- In the morning, keep a glass of water with fresh lemon slices beside you at the sink to sip as you get ready
- Add essential oils to your shower or tub – try peppermint or basil in the morning and lavender or bergamot in the evening
- Keep a small vase of fresh flowers beside the sink
- Use a tray or stool to hold a cup of herbal tea (such as chamomile) to sip as you soak in the tub
- Dim the overhead lights and enjoy a bath by candlelight
Tell us
How do you keep your bathroom a serene, clutter-free space? Share your tips in the Comments below.
More
Read more stories about organising your space
Related Stories
Bathrooms
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Bathroom Designer
A good bathroom designer will help bring your vision to life, within your budget – here's how to find the right one
Full Story
Most Popular
Pro Panel: How to Control the Cost of Your Bathroom Renovation
By Cheryl F
Three UK-based bathroom designers offer 10 budget-saving tips for fixtures, layouts and materials
Full Story
Bathrooms
Building a Bathroom? The Top Materials for Your Vanity
By Lisa Kahn
Explore the pros and cons of seven popular bathroom vanity benchtop materials
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Help You Design a New Powder Room
By Houzz AU
Clearances, codes and coordination are critical in small spaces such as a powder room – here’s what you should know
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Most Popular
Budget Bathroom Renovation Ideas for Under $5000
Refresh your bathroom on a budget with these simple yet stunning ideas for an easy bathroom makeover
Full Story
Bathroom Expert Advice
Bathroom Essentials: Right Heights for Vanities, Mirrors & More
By tidgboutique
Making some bathroom upgrades? Here’s how to place all your main features for the most comfortable, personalised fit
Full Story
Bathrooms
10 Expert Tips for Designing the Right Shower For Your Home
By tidgboutique
Keep these style and layout ideas in mind as you plan your dream shower and bathroom
Full Story
Storage
Renovation Insight: How to Choose & Work With a Cabinet Maker
Custom joinery allows you to tailor a space to suit your needs – here's how to choose the right firm for the job
Full Story
Great point and thank you for bringing it up! I may be adding some built-in storage in the bedroom so that might be a better plan. I would say with very high vaulted ceilings - I have never even had fogging of the mirrors but that doesn't mean there isn't humidity.
I appreciate your thoughtfulness!
I love the counter in my master bath! It's only 60 inches, therefore, not a lot of room. I have a makeup basket and a facial products basket. I keep both of them under the right sink. My toothbrush holder is also under a sink. The only thing that stays out is the hand soap. Not only is it clutter free, I enjoy the beauty of the granite!
@gladdygirl I’ve never had a problem with humidity in our bathroom because we have good ventilation with the exhaust fan we installed. I have two drawers for jewelry and bought velvet inserts of various sizes to fill the drawers.