5 bathroom cabinet organizing mistakes to avoid

Professional organizers share the 5 common missteps preventing you from having an organized bathroom cabinet

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Our bathrooms are busy places, and products soon pile up if we don't empty out our cabinets now and then.

Organizing your bathroom cabinet really is one of the most effective ways to tidy and bring order to the bathroom. It allows you to put in place a system so you can easily store and retrieve the right bathroom items when you need them. Because they hold lots of different items, it is necessary that your bathroom storage spaces are primed and ready to make the most out of the space.

Fortunately, our experts have declared 5 of these mistakes people make so you can fix them as soon as possible, whether organizing a small bathroom or larger, family bathroom..

Listen to our experts and turn your bathroom cabinet from disorganized chaos into functional furniture that is fit for purpose.

Photography: David Giles

One mistake that people make is not spending the time grouping their bathroom cabinet items. To maintain an organized bathroom cabinet, it is crucial to group similar items together.

For example, store all skincare products in one section, hair care products in another, and so on. We recommend adding basket label clips, at Amazon to your storage bins so that you can locate and store items easily. This will make it easier to find what you need and prevent items from becoming disorganized over time.

Sorting bathroom items into categories is particularly helpful if you're currently trying to organize a bathroom with too much stuff, as it will highlight duplicates.

We also often make the mistake of not taking advantage of vertical space when organizing bathroom vanities and cabinets.

‘Instead of just pushing things back into the cabinet, consider using bins, shelves, and other storage solutions to maximize space,’ says bathroom expert Aidan Smith at Hello Bathrooms. ‘This will help to maximize the vertical space and create additional storage options for smaller items.’

Utilizing vertical space can help you make sure that everything is organized neatly and easily accessible. Try these great storage bins from Amazon that can be stored on top of each other.

Aidan Smith is a passionate bathroom expert and the author behind Hello Bathrooms. With extensive experience and a thorough understanding of the industry, he prides himself on providing reliable and insightful tips to help you create your dream bathroom.

Many people hold onto expired medications, cosmetics, or personal care items. This mistake often occurs as people purchase toiletries without ever looking at the expiry date and will keep the item until it has run out.

‘Toiletries really do have a shelf life,’ says professional organizer Mary Jo Contello. ‘It is nice to put a date you acquire or open something so you can help to determine how long it has been in the cabinet.’

Regularly purging these items can free up a lot of space and make it a lot easier to organize.

Mary Jo Contello spent years in the corporate world, when downsizing and layoffs left her with a sudden need for a new direction in life. Passionate about organizing, she started Organized by MJ with the goal of cleaning and organizing people’s spaces in Houston, TX and the surrounding communities. MJ is also a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing (NAPO).

Not using containers, dividers, or bins can lead to a jumbled mess. Invest in storage solutions that help separate and categorize items.

‘Remember, the goal of organizing your bathroom cabinet is to make your daily routine more efficient and enjoyable,’ says professional organizer Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson. Customize the organization to suit your lifestyle, and be open to adjusting your system as needed to maintain a clutter-free and functional space.

Bonnie Borromeo Tomlinson is the author of Stop Buying Bins & other blunt but practical advice from a home organizer. She was the principal of Bonnie Lia Interiors, a home organizing and interior decorating firm with clients in MD, VA, DC.

The areas around the door, hinges, and corners are often neglected when it comes to organizing a bathroom cabinet. Make the most of these areas by using slim storage solutions such as shelves, baskets, and bins.

This will help you make use of every inch of space in your bathroom cabinet and keep everything well organized.

Soothing neutrals in blue, green, and gray will help create a relaxing, spa-like vibe for your bathroom. Look for colors inspired by nature like soft sage, sky blue, and ash gray. If you prefer warmer colors, opt for a pale yellow, warm beige, or even a delicate blush color to give the space a welcoming glow.

Organizing a bathroom cabinet is not a one-time task. We often forget to maintain the organization we have established. It is essential to regularly reassess the contents of the cabinet, discard expired products, and reorganize as needed. This will help prevent clutter from building up again and maintain an organized space in the long run.

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Seraphina has been working with Homes & Gardens producing articles across its website. She loves to decorate and also grow her own produce from her home in London. Her previous experience includes working at Women's Health and Fabulous Magazine's.

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