:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2216177210-4c885cc0e3b942b78222f546e8532162.jpg "6 Things Making Your Small Bathroom Feel More Cluttered")
Your bathroom is one of those areas of your home where clutter can build up especially fast. Moreover, this is one of the spaces where that matters most. A messy collection of bathroom “essentials” can quickly get in the way of daily activity, be an aesthetic eyesore, and make small spaces look even smaller.
We consulted with two experts, Nick Friedman and Lana Lorena, to get the inside scoop on what can specifically make your small bathroom feel cluttered—and what to do about it.
Using the Vanity Like a Storage Shelf
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It’s easy to spread out every product you own on your vanity, but this can quickly make the space feel messy. Moving and storage expert Nick Friedman recommends thinking of your bathroom vanity as a workspace rather than a storage unit. “Hair tools, skincare, and products can easily pile up until there’s no counter left,” he explains. “A clear counter not only looks better; it saves time during your morning routine.” Consider installing pretty and practical shelving if you really need the extra space.
Bulky Baskets
When shopping for organizers for a small bathroom, avoid bulky baskets (yes, even if they’re cute). These storage solutions may end up eating up more space than they’re saving you, Friedman explains.
Instead, look for slim, stackable options to store essentials without too much heft. They’ll look more uniform in your bathroom, too.
Overstuffed Drawers
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Are you able to close the drawers in your bathroom? If the answer is a sheepish no, we’re willing to bet you’re not using half of the products inside. Lorena recommends taking the time to edit the items in your bathroom drawers: Ask yourself what you’re using on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and sort accordingly. Making this a frequent habit can prevent bathroom clutter from sneaking up on you.
Expired Items
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It’s easy to notice when food in the fridge has expired—but can you say the same about your makeup and skincare in your bathroom? Once seals are broken, makeup tends to last between three months to a year, depending on the formula. Most products will have how long the item lasts on the bottle—and you can take a Sharpie and write the date you opened it on the bottom.
Lack of a Daily Reset
The key to a clutter-free bathroom (especially a small one) is consistent upkeep—and it doesn’t have to take very long. “Do a 30-second reset each day,” Friedman suggests. “Put items back where they belong before you leave the bathroom.”
Small daily habits, like rotating the bathroom’s towels or returning items to their place, keep unwanted clutter from piling up.
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