Your bathroom is a prime breeding ground for clutter. Between cabinets, drawers, and countertops, unwanted items accumulate easily. Two home organization experts reveal the most overlooked areas that need decluttering. These aren’t just aesthetic issues; unaddressed clutter creates stress and inefficiency in a space meant for relaxation and hygiene.
Bathroom Countertops: The Illusion of Accessibility
Many people aim for a curated countertop aesthetic, but this often devolves into a chaotic display of toiletries, makeup, and decor. Interior designer Isfira Jensen notes this is especially common in luxury bathrooms where space encourages over-accumulation.
The solution isn’t radical purging, but strategic storage. Group similar items in trays or bins to maintain a clean look without sacrificing easy access. Overcrowding creates visual chaos that defeats the purpose of open storage.
The Hidden Depths of Shelves and Cabinets
Medicine cabinets and linen closets are notorious for hidden clutter. People tend to scan surfaces, keeping frequently used items at the front while pushing everything else to the back, where it gets lost or forgotten.
Professional organizer Barbara Brock recommends a brutal but effective method: remove everything, assess what you actually use (within the last six months), and discard the rest. Bins are essential for organizing what remains. This process exposes the true volume of unnecessary items.
Vanity Drawers: The Junk Drawer Trap
Vanity drawers, when present, are prone to becoming catch-alls for small items like hair ties, bobby pins, and travel-sized products. Without regular maintenance, they quickly devolve into disorganized messes.
The fix is simple: use smaller bins, baskets, or pouches to categorize and contain the chaos. This prevents items from disappearing into the drawer’s depths.
Under-Sink Chaos: A Forgotten Wasteland
The cabinet under the sink is a high-capacity clutter zone. People stash cleaning supplies and backup toiletries, often neglecting this area during decluttering efforts. Over time, it becomes a repository of unusable items, making it hard to find what you actually need.
Jensen advises routine sorting, tossing expired or empty products, and checking for leaks or moisture. This space requires consistent attention because its size makes neglect easy.
The Perishable Pile-Up: Expired Products and Grime
Brock frequently encounters stockpiles of old lotions, potions, and other perishable items in bathrooms. These need annual purging. Not only do they take up space, but they also contribute to grime and potential hygiene issues. A thorough cleaning alongside decluttering is essential.
The takeaway is clear: consistent decluttering is the key to a functional and relaxing bathroom. Overlooking these hidden spots allows clutter to fester, making the space less enjoyable and more stressful.
