5 Simple Steps to Declutter your Bathroom

Having a plan to declutter your bathroom is a vital part of curating an uncluttered home. 

And, the truth is, we Americans love our bathrooms. 

When in the market for a new home, the number of bathrooms is often a deal maker or breaker. No one wants a five-bedroom, one-bath home. 

But, with the average American home now containing over 300,000 items, those highly desired bathrooms can quickly fill with clutter.

In 1973, most homes had only one bathroom. By 2021, a single-family U.S. home had an average of 2.8 bathrooms. Even though the average number of people in a home is declining, the number of bathrooms in a home is increasing—having a streamlined plan to declutter each bathroom is more important now than ever.

Consider starting your decluttering efforts here

Many decluttering experts dub the bathroom as a great place to start decluttering your home—it is smaller in size and typically contains few sentimental items.

Bathrooms’ smaller size makes decluttering them even more important—clutter is increasingly visible and stress-inducing in a small space. 

Though bathrooms have the reputation of being “easy” to declutter, they still require work and a plan (see below) to become clutter-free. 

Benefits of a decluttered bathroom

A decluttered bathroom is much easier to clean than one that’s covered in random stuff. If any area of a home needs to be cleaned regularly, it’s the bathroom (especially if you have kids). 

Also, starting your morning in a clutter-free bathroom has the power to set the tone for your day.

Space invokes relaxation, deep breaths, and positive thoughts. Clutter invites chaos, anxiety, and stress. 

You can create either.

Here are 5 steps to help you declutter your bathroom:

1. Eliminate Trash

To declutter your bathroom, start by eliminating any trash. That toothpaste box on the counter? You don’t need it anymore. The empty containers you’re saving because you think they will remind you to buy a refill? Make a note on your to-do list and just toss the empty containers already. 

2. Remove non-bathroom items

Once the trash is gone, remove any items that don’t belong in your bathroom and put them in their proper home. Cups and bowls go back to the kitchen. Books are returned to the shelf. Continue until all misplaced items are removed from the room.

3. Discard the excess

Now, clear out the bathroom’s cabinets and drawers (you can clear them all at once or go one-by-one) and keep just what you currently use. 

As you hold your items, ask practical questions: Do I actually use this? Is owning this worth the space it takes up? 

Discard duplicates, toss any broken or expired items, rehome rarely used items. Group like items together (hair clips, bottles of shampoo, lipsticks); choose your favorite and trash/donate the rest. (Read ideas on how to recycle half-used toiletries here). Now, commit to not purchasing more bathroom items until yours are used up or broken. 

Note that some items, such as nail polish, are considered hazardous waste—research how to dispose of them in an environmentally responsible way. 

Let go of any stashes of “free samples” or free hotel toiletries that you’re holding on to just in case. Only keep what you actually use today. If you haven’t used the freebie by now, you likely won’t—it’s just taking up space.

Bathroom organization tools are abundant in attempt to maximize the display of stuff in a small space. If you declutter your bathroom before you organize, you won’t need organizational “tools” (a.k.a. superfluous stuff holders).

4.  Find a home for the keepers

Once you have what you plan to keep, find a home for each item within the bathroom. A drawer for your hairdryer, a drawer for beauty products, you get the picture. 

Consider storing towels under the bathroom sink. Get rid of any towels that are worn out or carry an off-putting smell. 

Speaking of towels, you likely only need two per family member. We own 10 for our family of six (plus two pool towels), and it works. (Unless a kiddo decides to give all the clean towels a bath by submerging them, still neatly folded, in the tub, which has only happened twice). 

5. Create maintenance routines  

Clutter-free bathrooms require a daily and a weekly maintenance routine.

Daily: Keep your bathroom countertops clear by returning an item to its designated home after use (this takes seconds to do). 

Weekly: Bathrooms need weekly cleaning. During this cleaning and reset, scan for empty product containers or other unused items and dispose of them.

Conclusion

A clutter-free bathroom can boost your mood as you get ready for the day (studies show cluttered environments increase cortisol levels, especially in women). It can also reduce your daily distractions and streamline your morning routine. 

The amount of time required to declutter a bathroom is usually less than other rooms. And, because bathroom items are not highly sentimental, it can be a great place to start your decluttering efforts. 

If you’re looking to elevate your home and feel better in your living environment, go declutter your bathroom.

Here’s to curating an uncluttered home that you love, one room at a time.

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Julia Ubbenga is a freelance journalist. Her teachings on minimalism, simplicity, and intentional living have reached over 1M people worldwide through her blog. Julia also practices what she preaches in her Kansas City home. She resides with her husband and their four extremely lively young children. You can also find her on Facebook.

Do you want to get serious about decluttering your life? My signature course will show you how to declutter your inner and outer environment for good. Now is the time to choose change. Now is the time to live lighter. Learn more here.