How to Organize a Small Bathroom (Step-by-Step)
- Aug 12
- 3 min read
A small bathroom can feel chaotic fast—especially when everyday essentials don’t have a clear home. This step-by-step will help you create a calm, functional setup that’s easy to maintain.
Before you start: gather supplies
Trash bag + donation bag
Microfiber cloth + all-purpose cleaner
A small bin or basket for ‘relocate’ items
2–4 small bins and drawers (clear or labeled)
Drawer dividers (optional if you have a undersink drawers)
A turntable/lazy Susan (optional)
Label maker or masking tape + marker
Step 1: Clear everything out (yes, everything) & clean
Remove items from the vanity, drawers, shower ledges, and any shelves. Put everything on a towel on the floor or in a nearby hallway so you can see what you actually have. Take the microfiber cloth and all-purpose cleaner and clean it all.
Step 2: Toss the obvious
Expired medications and old prescriptions (dispose safely)
Empty bottles and samples you won’t use
Old razors, dried-up makeup, crusty hair products
Worn-out loofahs and sponges
Step 3: Sort into simple categories
Keep categories broad so you don’t get stuck. Try:
Daily essentials (used every day)
Skincare + makeup
Hair care
Dental
First aid + meds
Backstock (extras)
Cleaning
Step 4: Decide what lives in the bathroom
Small bathrooms work best when they only store what you truly use there. Move these out if possible:
Bulk backstock (keep in a closet)
Rarely-used tools (extra hair tools, travel items)
Extra towels beyond what you need for the week
Guest items
Step 5: Create zones based on your routine
Think in ‘where you stand’ zones:
Sink zone: daily skincare, dental, hand soap
Shower zone: shampoo/conditioner/body wash + 1–2 treatments
Getting-ready zone: makeup, hair tools, deodorant
Backup zone: extras (limited!)
Step 6: Put daily essentials at arm’s reach
Prime real estate is the top drawer and the front of the cabinet. Keep only what you use daily here. Everything else should be one step farther away.
Step 7: Contain the small stuff
In a small bathroom, containment is everything. Use bins to prevent ‘product creep.’
Medicine cabinet - each shelf for a different category
One bin for skincare
One bin for hair products
One bin for dental
One small cup/bin for cotton swabs + pads
Step 8: Use vertical space (without overstuffing)
Add an over-the-toilet shelf if you have none
Use a slim rolling cart if floor space allows
Hang hooks for hair tools or towels
Use a shower caddy to keep bottles off the ledge
Step 9: Set a backstock limit
Pick a single bin or one shelf for extras. When it’s full, you’re at capacity. This prevents the bathroom from becoming a storage unit.
Step 10: Label and reset
Labels make it easy to maintain—especially if you share the bathroom. Label bins and shelves so everything has a clear home.
Maintenance: the 5-minute weekly reset
Put stray items back in their zones
Wipe the sink and counter
Quick-check for empties and toss
Restock only what you need for the week
Quick checklist (save this)
Clear everything out
Toss expired/unused
Sort into categories
Create routine-based zones
Contain + label
Limit backstock
Weekly 5 minute reset
Contact me to help you with your bathroom organization goals.
Organized by Catherine O organizes all areas of your home, maximizes your space, and problem-solves time management and productivity challenges. We are based in New York City and serve the NYC-Metro area.
