Organize + Energize: An Organized Bathroom for the Holidays

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Kristin MacRae, GoLocalProv Organizing Expert

If you have guests in and out of your home during the holidays, you’ll want to pen this project onto your calendar. There are some nosy guests out there who want to see what you have in your bathroom drawers. Don’t even think about stuffing everything in the closet, because they will look in there too. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if they went to open the closet and items started falling out? Don’t let your disorganized bathroom be the talk of the neighborhood this holiday season.

By now, if you’ve been reading my articles, you know the process to tackle organizing projects. I’m going to prepare you for what you might find while emptying this space. You may be surprised at what you find! Don’t forget to have a garbage bag on hand for this project. You’ll definitely need one!

What will you find?

Expired medication. Bathrooms may not be the best place to store meds. They need to be stored in a cool, dry area. It’s a preference whether you want to throw out expired meds. Everybody has their own rules. Categorize your meds by theme such as first aid, allergy, etc.

Worn out towels and linens. How many towels are ripped, stained or really worn out? It’s time to let them go. Turn them into dust rags if you must. If you have an overabundance, think about how many you really need.

Old makeup. Dry, cracked, old makeup is what you are going to find. Take this time to go through and give your makeup a good once over and toss anything that looks bad.

Creams, lotions, soaps. How long has that bottle that is ¾ empty been sitting squished in the back of your closet? Take inventory and decide what to keep or toss.

Nail polish. You may find that you have nail files in one space, remover in another and polish in another. Get them contained all in one spot so that when you decide to give yourself a manicure you can just grab and go.

Men’s grooming. Some men don’t need much to maintain themselves, but give them an organized spot in the drawer all of their own. Keep all grooming supplies categorized and stored together to make mornings easy.

Hair products and accessories. Old brushes, sticky hair elastics, and numerous hair accessories thrown in different areas of the bathroom. How many hair products do you actually use? How long does it take you to find what you need during your morning routine?

Toiletries. Decide if you want to keep bulk items like toilet paper, paper towels, wipes, etc., stored in one area of the home. You can fill in with a few and then go to your bulk area to grab and replenish.

Random items. You’re going to find items these random items and you’ll scratch your head and ask yourself, “How did that end up in the bathroom?” Transfer them out of this space or create an organized system for them in the bathroom.

If you have a small bathroom, you’ll find that your linen closet is an extension of your bathroom and items may get thrown in there. Be sure to put this area on your list too. By emptying both spaces, and seeing the empty shelves, it may give you a different perspective on the space and you’ll see this space in a whole new light

Remember to keep the décor and countertops clean and simple. When you’re having guests over, create a small basket of emergency items and leave on the countertop so that your guests aren’t tempted to go through your cabinets.

You’ve organized this space to look nice for your guests, but you’ve also shaved minutes off of your morning routine by having an organized bathroom!

Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. She has appeared on air on Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio and her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Kristin's CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start. She is also available for organizing workshops. Tune into her weekly radio show, Organize, Energize! on talkstreamradio.com.