1. Toss

Of the many bathroom organizing tips there are, tossing unused and expired items is probably one of the most important steps to start with. When you set out to organize your bathroom, you need to go through every shelf, drawer, and medicine cabinet. Throw away free samples that you do not use, products that did not suit your skin or hair type, and anything that has passed its expiration date. You should even toss old makeup, which can harbor bacteria over time. Mastering general home organization begins with clearing out unnecessary items. Once you get through the throw-away stage of organizing your bathroom, every subsequent step gets much easier.

2. Share

If you happen to share a bathroom, you should go through your bathroom items and see if there are any items that you can share with your roommate or partner. Before deciding what to share, focus on purging expired toiletries to ensure you only keep what is fresh. If you wonder how to organize bandaids, cotton balls, and daily essentials, sharing bulk items is a game-changer. Learning how to organize bandaids alongside shared toiletries cuts down on duplicate packaging and frees up prime counter space.

Here are several everyday items that are perfect for sharing:

By sharing these things, you can cut down on multiples and really save space in a shared bathroom environment.

3. Drawers

If storage space is a problem, invest in some plastic drawers that can fit under your sink. They are inexpensive and can really help organize a bathroom. When looking for storage solutions, you can find budget-friendly plastic drawers and stackable bins at major retailers like Target. When you fill your drawers, be sure each drawer is designated for something specific. Don’t just fill your drawers haphazardly, because you will only end up being frustrated when you are trying to find something during your morning routine.

4. Install Hooks

Installing hooks can greatly help organize a cluttered bathroom. By making sure that there are enough hooks for all of the towels and bathrobes, you will prevent these items from piling up on the bathroom floor. You can use hooks for other items as well—for instance, ring hooks make a great place for hanging headbands, hair ties, or loofahs.

5. Shoe Organizer

When space is a really big problem, an over-the-door shoe organizer can help keep things neat without taking up floor space. Instead of using it for shoes, you can use the clear pockets to store items like blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, or keep extra supplies accessible before organizing your drawers under the sink. You can even put toothpaste, hairsprays, and daily lotions in the pockets to keep them off the counters.

Clear pocket organizers are ideal for storing:

6. Over the Toilet Cabinet

A great way to organize a bathroom is to install a cabinet that fits directly over the toilet. Generally, you put these freestanding units together yourself, and they stand over the toilet tank to utilize empty wall space. You can easily find stylish over-the-toilet cabinets at retailers like Walmart. They can be a little costly, but they are extremely helpful when it comes to organizing a small bathroom with limited shelf options.

7. Get Rid of Makeup Bags

Makeup bags are great for travel, but they take up a lot of room on counter surfaces. Instead of keeping your everyday makeup stuffed inside a bag, put your cosmetics into dedicated divider trays within a drawer, similar to under-sink plastic drawers. Not only will this keep clutter off of the bathroom counter, but you will also be able to find your makeup much easier. You won’t have to search for your favorite lipstick at the bottom of a cosmetic bag anymore.

No one wants to have a messy bathroom, but sometimes it is hard to get the mess under control. By following these practical tips for organizing a bathroom, you will be able to eliminate the clutter and have a beautiful, functional space. How do you keep your bathroom organized?