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Organizing The Bathroom ~ And My Life

September 16, 2013

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Organize your bathroom in a way that works for you with dollar store bins. Better yet, throw what you don't need away...
 Dollar Store Baskets For Organization

I'm not usually a huge dollar store fan.

Don't get me wrong, I love a bargain, unfortunately, the dollar stores in my area are just not that great. I see the items that some other bloggers pick up at their shops and wow, but here, eh, nothing great.

I can say, however, that my store does have a super selection of baskets and when I get the organizing bug, the dollar store is always my first stop.

Using Dollar Store Baskets To Organize Your Life

Now, this is not going to be your typical "how to organize and pretty up your bathroom vanity" type of post.

If you have read my blog before, you know that I am more of general advice girl. I want to inspire and empower you to organize your own space, your own way, because let's face it, you could do it my way, but what's practical for me, may not work for you.

I have seen tons of gorgeous linen closets and bathroom cabinets on Pinterest.

They are lovely and I would love my spaces to look that perfect, but honestly, it is not realistic in my home. It makes for a great picture and if I were a single woman or an empty nester, those magazine ready cabinets might stay that way, but I have a husband and a houseful of teenagers.

Nobody cares how the linen closet looks, except me.

They want a towel and they grab for it fast or they want to get their chores done as quickly as possible, so they shove the poorly folded towels into the closet and run.

It is not always pretty, but the door is usually shut and it is one less job I have to do. I pick my proverbial organization battles for sure and so should you.

The bathroom I organized this weekend is the one my kids use. It is also our guest bath.

Our home is a beach cottage. It was built in the 1920's as a vacation home, storage for a modern family is sorely lacking, but we make it work.

I don't overbuy, I am not a Costco shopper,  so I don't have to worry about where to keep it all, but there were too many items shoved under the counter and every time I opened it up, something fell on my feet.

Argh!

Easy Ways To Organize A Messy Bathroom

Of course, the kids HAD to keep everything in here, they NEED it all, so since there was nothing to toss, I tossed it all into baskets instead.

Tips For Organizing A Bathroom Vanity


  • Common sense approach here ~ frequently used items in the front, extras or things that were only used occasionally in the back. 

  • I opted for plastic buckets, as opposed to baskets, because kids hands are often wet when grabbing for things.

  • Product bottles can leak and last spring this cabinet was completely repainted due to a drippy faucet and mold problem.

Stuff happens when water's nearby, I don't keep towels in here for the same reasons...and really, where would I put them?

It took me about ten minutes to reorganize and take the pictures.

It's not glamorous, but it is functional for us and solves the problem that was bothering me...no more stuff spilling out on to the floor.

Simple Tips To Organize Your Bathroom

Now, I wasn't allowed to ditch anything from this space, but honestly, for me, that was unusual, because when organizing my overriding mantra is always the same.

Whether it's expired sunscreen, half empty shaving cream cans or outdated makeup, the old adage applies, when in doubt, throw it out!

Remember, the more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to manage and I don't know how and I don't know why, but stuff tends to multiply

You can toss it nicely in that basket, but why if you haven't used it in months and don't plan to in the near future?

It's taking up space in your bathroom and, I know it sounds new age-y, but it's taking up space in your psyche, as well. 

Just get rid of it and free up all of that space!

Obviously, I'm much less married to my stuff than my kids (and my husband was outside), so baskets in hand I decided to hit our bathroom, as well!

Shhh.

I tossed all of this....   

Throw Away What Is Unnecessary In Your Life And Simplify

...and ended up with this! 

How To Organize Bathroom Drawers


how to organize and store your makeup

Use Baskets To Organize Your Life

Ah, much better, I can breathe again.

Also, when I don't have all those empty bottles hanging around, I can clearly see what I do have, so I can use it and be aware when I need to replace it.

I actually find that it saves me money to be organized, as I don't waste money buying duplicates and the kids don't waste as much and use the items I buy to the end, because they can find them.

It's a much easier way to manage our stuff and it only took a few dollars.

Again, nothing in these rooms is pinworthy, but it works for me and it's realistic for my family.

I mean honestly, even the laziest among them can get the bottle in the basket, right?

...Right?

Oh boy.

I'll let you know how it goes! 😉

cheap ways to organize your bathroom

How do you organize your cabinets?

PS~ Later that night I decided to use my extra baskets to organize the kitchen junk drawer!

Clean Out That Junk Drawer


How To Organize Your Junk Drawer

Here's a few more creative ways to organize...or at least hide the crap. 

How To Cover Glass Doors With Fabric

How To Add Fabric To Glass Cabinet Doors

How To Make A Ring Clip Table Skirt

How To Make A Ring Clip Table Skirt

How To Hide Cords With Cable Grommets

How To Hide Ugly Cords




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  1. Good Afternoon Kim, Your house, sounds like most houses. Pinterest is wonderful to dip into and to dream of a life which most of us would never be able to live with. Real life and real families are about living, with all the mess which that entails. When my daughters were teenagers, my linen closets looked like a complete mess. Everything would be folded to go into the closet, but when the girls were looking for a couple of towels they would turn the closet upside down, but that was life.
    Having said that, I wish I had thought of using baskets to keep my cupboards neat and tidy. Do you know, I might have even folded up their towels and put them into large baskets... now that would have kept my linen closet tidy!
    Thank you for the idea.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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    1. Daphne, I have toying with the idea of adding baskets to the linen closet! I'm just not sure if even that will be too much to ask of everyone! ;) I have to say, so far, the baskets are working out really well...but it's only been a week!

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  2. Love the simple basket approach! I put folding wire shelves in almost every closet in my house. They are great for shelves with large spaces in between. More shelves! I usually habe to reorganize my linen closet twice a year to purge, refold towels and generally restore order. It needs to be done now...sigh!

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    1. I hear you loud and clear, Scarlett! I just did the refold and purge about a week ago and honestly I think the refolding needs to be done again! I need more shelves! At least the kids are getting their hair products in the baskets...for now! :)

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  3. Thank you for sharing! I love those dollar store baskets! I got a bunch for my home recently too :) (Mine are full of hoemschooling and craft supplies; all sorts of little odds and ends that don't really fit anywhere else properly. The baskets are perfect for them!)

    I found your post through the Friday Flash Blog @ The Jenny Evolution.

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  4. Found your blog from the Jenny Evolution - such a great post. I love organizing and dollar store baskets, too!
    http://50daysofnogrey.wordpress.com/2013/09/20/fall-organizing/

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    Replies
    1. Those dollar store baskets really are the key! Thanks for taking a peek! On my way to be inspired by you now!

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  5. I love posts about organization...like you said, they may not be practical solutions for me but they do inspire! Everything looks so nice and neat. Thanks for sharing, D@TheShadyPorch

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    1. D, thanks so much for stopping by! I love ideas about organizing, too! I drool over some of those pantries out there...maybe that will be my next project. Of course, we could never really eat again if I want it to stay neat! ;)

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  6. I love the dollar store baskets, I have them all over my house. Thank you for sharing at this weeks Creative Muster. Now that you found our party I hope that you continue to join us every Tuesday evening.

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    Replies
    1. I think those baskets must be the biggest seller in the store, Robin...and I do love a party, so sure! ;)

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  7. Hi and wow Kim, now you have me wanting to go out and buy those baskets and do the same thing! I really need to do my daughters bathroom like that too. Thanks for showing us and you did a wonderful job organizing both bathrooms! Take care and enjoy the rest of the week.
    Julie

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    1. Thanks Julie! Like I said, it's not glamorous at all, but it's been several months and it all still looks very much the same! Good luck!

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  8. I don't know how I missed this post, Kim. I love the red baskets. Organization always takes on an exciting look with color. Unfortunately, my bathroom organization is not that pretty. My hubby bought see-through plastic containers with lock down lids on them when we moved into this apartment, and that's what we use. Not pretty, not colorful, but we can stack them in the cupboard Dennis made for our bathroom.

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    Replies
    1. Nancy, I actually like your closed top container idea better! If I actually thought that anyone in this house would close the top, I would've been all over that! Right now I am just happy if they SEE the bright red basket and get stuff kind of close to it! ;)

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