Here are five practical steps to organize a small bathroom so it’s easier to clean and maintain. If your bathroom is cluttered, don’t worry — we’ll begin with a thorough declutter.
Does your bathroom collect everything from hair tools to random lotions? Are countertops covered, drawers overflowing, and cabinets full of items you barely remember buying? Small bathrooms often lack storage, and because they’re used every day, clutter builds up quickly.
In this guide I’ll walk you step by step through decluttering and organizing your bathroom so counters stay clear, you can find what you need without digging through drawers, and opening the medicine cabinet won’t send items tumbling out. The best part: organizing small spaces doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming.
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How to Declutter and Organize a Small Bathroom
Step 1: Set a Reasonable Budget for Bathroom Organization
Plan to spend a little on organizers—bins, drawer dividers, and a couple of small containers make a big difference. Many small bathroom projects can be completed for a modest amount (often under $20). You don’t need to buy everything up front; establish a budget so you can prioritize the most useful pieces.
Step 2: Empty the Bathroom
Remove everything from the bathroom: counter items, drawers, cabinets, and shelves. If you have young children, consider doing this during nap time or with a sitter. Older kids can help and might enjoy discovering forgotten treasures at the back of drawers. Make a pile in another room so you can sort without crowding the space.
Step 3: Clean Top to Bottom
With the room emptied, give it a complete clean. A fresh, shining space makes it easier to keep clutter out and motivates you to maintain order.
How Do You Deep Clean a Bathroom?
- Clear and wipe the countertop and sink
- Vacuum and wipe the inside and outside of the vanity
- Wipe the mirror
- Scrub the shower and tub
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Clean the windows
- Scrub and disinfect the toilet
- Disinfect the toilet brush and plunger
- Wipe down walls and doors
Once the bathroom is spotless, you’ll be in a better frame of mind to sort and replace items thoughtfully.
Step 4: Declutter Your Bathroom Items
Tackle decluttering in small, logical steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Put back daily essentials first—items you use every day or couldn’t leave home without. Returning these items first reduces the pile you need to sort and makes the remainder feel more manageable. Wipe items clean before returning them.
- Discard obvious trash: empty bottles, expired products, and anything broken.
- Relocate items that don’t belong in the bathroom to their proper home. Vitamins often belong in the kitchen, and some hair tools or first aid items might be better stored elsewhere.
- Be selective with lotions, shampoos, and soaps. Toss or donate products you haven’t used recently or don’t enjoy. The goal is a clean, functional space free of things you don’t use.
- Donate or discard beauty products you haven’t used in three months and any dried-out or expired items.
- Keep only the towels you need for that bathroom—store extras elsewhere if possible.
- Let go of duplicate or rarely used hair tools; they typically last a long time and you don’t need many backups.
- Discard unnecessary extras from appliance kits (extra guards or attachments you never use).
- For everything that remains, ask how each item serves you—if it doesn’t, let it go.
Step 5: Organize the Bathroom
With only desired items returned, organize what remains into logical homes using bins and dividers. Measure drawers and cabinet spaces before buying organizers so they fit properly.
Storage ideas that work well in small bathrooms:
- Cotton swabs in a jar or small tray
- Cotton balls in a canister
- Tall hair products stored upright in a basket under the sink
- Nail polish displayed in a drawer organizer or on a small shelf
- Razors and trimmers in a small bin inside a drawer or under the sink
- Women’s hygiene supplies kept in a dedicated drawer bin
- Hair ties contained in a drawer organizer or small basket
- Makeup sorted in a compartmentalized organizer
- Extra towels rolled and stored in a bin or on a shelf
- First-aid items grouped in a small basket
- Deodorant and cologne on a tray or small bin to prevent sliding
- Hair tools stored on cabinet door racks or in an over-the-door organizer
- Extra toilet paper neatly stacked in a basket
Simple Ways to Make a Small Bathroom Feel Bigger
Small changes can open up the room and create the impression of more space.
Use Wall Space
Install wall-mounted shelves or hooks to take advantage of vertical storage when floor and cabinet space are limited.
Keep Floors Clear
Avoid cluttering the floor. Store a wastebasket inside a cabinet or hang a small trash bag on a hook. Replace bulky bath mats with a towel hung on a hook during bath time to reduce visual clutter and ease laundry.
Add a Plant or Two
A small, low-light plant adds freshness and a sense of airiness without taking up much room.
Let Essentials Double as Decor
Choose attractive, functional items: a pretty soap dispenser, simple canisters for cotton swabs, and woven baskets to hold toiletries can elevate the space without adding clutter.
Choose Light-Enhancing Window Treatments and Mirrors
Replace heavy curtains with shades or blinds to let in more light. A larger or frameless mirror can also reflect light and make the room feel more open.
Raise the Shower Curtain
Raising the shower curtain rod a few inches or using a longer curtain creates the illusion of higher ceilings and a more spacious room. Small adjustments like this have a surprisingly big visual impact.
More Ways to Embrace Minimal Living
- How To Create a Kids Capsule Wardrobe
- The Best Way To Store and Organize Kids Clothes
- How To Keep A Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe (As an Adult)
- Minimalist Easter Basket Ideas
Save these steps to try later. Share what you create on Instagram by tagging @athomeontheprairie.