Clear the Bathroom Vanity Once and for All

My tween and teen share a bathroom, which means there are A LOT of cosmetic and beauty products strewn all over the vanity area. Add to that the iPod speaker (because we all know you have to listen to music while taking a shower or blow drying your hair), the flat and curling irons, the soap dispenser, makeup case and dental hygeine tools–and you’ve got the potential for one big mess!

In an effort to eliminate most of the clutter, I searched for some ideas and products that clear the vanity and get everything stored away neatly. Here’s what I came up with:

The modified shoe bag is a great way to store items that otherwise would wind up in a heap at the back of the cabinets. Although the woman who originally created this pocket holder sewed it from scratch (Yes, she did) you can easily modify a store bought shoe bag holder to accomplish the same thing. And instead of using the metal hanger brackets that generally come with the shoe bag, use Command Brand hooks instead. If you need a little demonstration of how to remove the hooks, I did one of those not too long ago: Click here for the video.

The modified shoe bag could be used for cleaning supplies (rubber gloves, sponges, brushes, cleaning solution, etc.) or the many products our teen girls/boys use: deodorants, razors, hair serum, lotions, feminine products, etc.

If bending is an issue and you don’t mind the visual on the back of the bathroom door, hang the long version of the shoe bag there and you’ll have many more pockets for all kinds of stuff. To keep it neat and orderly, label the pockets even if you can see through so you everyone knows what belongs in each one and clean up is simplified!

So this Lazy Susan (L.S.)  is shown with kitchen items, but the Lazy Susan is great for shampoos, lotions, contact lens solution, etc. Definitely make sure the L.S. has a “lip” on it, in the event a product leaks, it won’t leak all over the bottom of your cabinet. Add this to the under counter space for easy access to what would normally wind up at the back of the cabinet.

 

The Multi-purpose bins from the Container Store are one of my all-time favorite containers! They’re so versatile and easy to clean. For under the sink, use three: One for toilet paper, another for your “quick cleanup” in the bathroom supplies (cleaner, sponge, roll of toilet paper and glass cleaner), and a third for feminine products and overflow of shampoo/conditioner and soap.

Other uses for these containers: Under the kitchen sink to house all supplies and contain potential spills, laundry room for supplies, kids rooms for storage of small toys, closets for belts and purses (the extra large multi-purpose), garage for cleaners and tools, great for arts & crafts supplies (paints, liquids, etc.). In an office these work well to hold files, use one for an “Action” filing system. Please comment below with your “good use” for these awesome containers!

My all-time favorite bins!

Related posts:

1. I Have These Lovely Containers, Now What Do I Do?
2. Crazy Afternoons with Homework
3. Teen Room Makeover
4. Are There Expired Cosmetics Lurking in Your Bathroom?
5. An Organized Entry Hall