| If your bathroom is not the relaxing retreat | | | | improvement store. These can be placed |
| you've always dreamed of, but rather the drop | | | | wherever you need them and often fit nicely |
| off point for dirty laundry, half-used health | | | | in narrow under-utilized spaces. You can |
| and beauty products, and other clutter, then | | | | also buy smaller versions to keep on the |
| take heart! You CAN turn things around. | | | | vanity, in a cupboard, or on a shelf. |
| | | | |
| Start by emptying cabinets, drawers, and | | | | Shelves |
| countertops and throwing away these items: | | | | |
| | | | Your shelving may consist of built-ins, an |
| Products whose expiration dates have passed. | | | | étagère over the commode, or shelves |
| | | | within a cupboard or cabinet. If they're |
| Old bottles of shampoo, conditioner, lotions | | | | moveable you'll have even greater |
| and shaving products whose contents are | | | | opportunities for maximizing their |
| virtually empty. | | | | usefulness. |
| | | | |
| Expired medicines and those intended for one | | | | Shelves are popular for storing towels, wash |
| time use, such as antibiotics or eye drops. | | | | cloths, facial tissues, toilet paper, and |
| | | | other products which require frequent |
| Products that give you a rash, smell funny, | | | | replenishing. They're also great for |
| or are oozing out of their tubes. | | | | bottles, sprays and smaller contained items. |
| | | | |
| Makeup that's old, dried, cracked and | | | | If your shelves are open and in full view, |
| separated, or doesn't compliment your skin | | | | you can give your bathroom a beautiful, more |
| color. | | | | sophisticated look by keeping smaller items |
| | | | in attractive containers, such as wicker |
| Bars of soap which are too small to use. | | | | baskets, lacquered boxes, glass or metal |
| | | | jars, or anything suits your taste. By |
| Broken and unused appliances, like hair | | | | keeping containers covered, their contents |
| dryers, shavers, curling irons and | | | | will remain discreet, and dust and moisture |
| straightening wands. | | | | can be minimized. |
| | | | |
| Old perfumes and nail polish. | | | | Whatever form they're in, shelves are |
| | | | versatile, functional, and desirable, in any |
| Combs with missing teeth. | | | | bathroom. |
| | | | |
| Toothbrushes over three months old. | | | | Increasing Storage |
| | | | |
| Broken jewelry, earrings and cuff links | | | | If you live in a home or apartment where |
| without a match (they're probably hiding out | | | | space is limited, there are many products to |
| with those missing socks.) | | | | help you maximize it. For the shower you can |
| | | | buy a caddy that fits over the shower rod, a |
| Donate these: | | | | vertical pole with mini shelves along its |
| | | | length, or a variety of containers attached |
| Unopened, unused travel soaps, shampoos, | | | | with suction cups, in plastic or stainless |
| conditioners, shoe shine cloths, shower caps, | | | | steel. These provide a convenient way to |
| sewing kits, and any other miniature-sized | | | | hold your shampoos, shavers, and other bath |
| products you don't intend to use. Women's | | | | essentials. |
| shelters and nursing homes love these | | | | |
| thoughtful gifts. | | | | As I mentioned previously, there are many |
| | | | attractive free-standing cabinets and drawer |
| Now that you've gotten down to essentials | | | | units available to match any décor. You |
| it's time to reassess your organizing | | | | can also buy wall-mounted cabinets, shelves, |
| strategy. In any bathroom, there's usually | | | | and towel racks to maximize the space above |
| some combination of drawers, cabinets, and | | | | your sink, along empty walls, or in that odd |
| shelving. Consider adding or increasing one | | | | shaped nook. |
| or more of these elements to solve tricky | | | | |
| storage problems. | | | | And don't forget the almost endless choice of |
| | | | hooks that can be mounted on walls or added |
| Drawers | | | | to the door when you need extra space for |
| | | | your family or guests. |
| Shallow drawers work best for storing small | | | | |
| flat items like jewelry, makeup, hair pins, | | | | You mentioned a bathroom retreat...Tell me |
| combs, hair bands, and small accessories. To | | | | more |
| keep the contents from sliding around and | | | | |
| getting mixed together each time you open the | | | | Now that you've gotten organized and |
| drawer, purchase drawer organizers. | | | | maximized your space, let's add the icing to |
| | | | the cake. What better place than your |
| One type allows you to measure, cut, and | | | | bathroom spa to unwind, forget about the |
| attach plastic dividers in the | | | | daily annoyances and rejuvenate your body, |
| exactconfiguration you need. If you prefer a | | | | mind, and spirit. So, what do you do if you |
| simpler method, you may opt for individual | | | | don't have a luxurious spa tub? Even the |
| trays of various lengths, widths and depths | | | | smallest and simplest bathroom can become |
| which can be arranged and rearranged as often | | | | more inviting by implementing a few of the |
| as necessary, or buy one large tray with | | | | suggestions below. |
| several built-in, permanent compartments. | | | | |
| | | | Splurge on new towels, something thick, soft, |
| You can also purchase trays that sit on top | | | | and beautiful. |
| of the drawer (inside it) that you can slide | | | | |
| forward and backward. This offers the option | | | | Add warmth, color, and charm to the vanity by |
| of creating a "double decker" storage area. | | | | adding a small lamp surrounded by a silky ivy |
| Just remember you'll have less room | | | | garland or small flower arrangement. |
| underneath for other items. | | | | |
| | | | Replace your old or worn out shower curtain |
| Deeper drawers are handy for storing larger, | | | | with one that's fresh and new. Don'thesitate |
| bulkier items and electrical appliances such | | | | to use something colorful or buy a rich |
| as hair dryers, shavers, and styling tools. | | | | looking fabric to enhance the beauty of the |
| Accessories can be stored along with them in | | | | room. |
| separate containers to keep them organized | | | | |
| and neat. | | | | Place a single large candle on a decorative |
| | | | holder near the vanity or tub, or if space |
| Cabinets and Cupboards | | | | allows, try 3-5 candles of varying heights. |
| | | | |
| For larger or taller items, cleaning | | | | The sound of trickling water is both soothing |
| supplies, or bottles containing liquids which | | | | and relaxing. If you close your eyes and let |
| must be stored upright, under-the-sink | | | | your imagination blossom, a small fountain |
| storage may be the best choice . Here you | | | | can take you miles away, making you forget |
| can keep soap refills, shampoo and | | | | you're still at home. |
| conditioner, nail polish remover, hair spray, | | | | |
| and other grooming products. If you have a | | | | If aroma therapy is what you long for, add |
| pedestal sink these items can be stored in a | | | | bath salts to running water to fill the room |
| nearby cupboard or cabinet. | | | | with scent. |
| | | | |
| To keep items from falling over when they're | | | | Escape to your bathroom for a quick getaway |
| kept in a larger area, I like to insert a few | | | | while you soak in a foot spa or dip your |
| square or rectangular plastic containers. I | | | | hands in hot wax after a manicure treatment. |
| usually sort the contents by category, such | | | | |
| as nail products, medicines, or hair care, so | | | | Invest in a shower massage so you can |
| that when I want to find a certain type, I | | | | experience the soothing sensations while |
| know it will be with all the others just like | | | | standing in warm water. |
| it. Then, I can easily pull out the | | | | |
| container, use what I need, and put the whole | | | | If you prefer a long luxurious bath, rest |
| thing away in one easy gesture. | | | | your head on a contoured foam pillow, stretch |
| | | | a bath caddy across the width of the tub, and |
| This method can save valuable time in the | | | | use the built in holders for your favorite |
| morning when you may be in a hurry to get out | | | | book, a taper candle and glass of wine or |
| the door, by reducing the time it takes to | | | | sparkling cider. |
| find what you need. Containerizing also | | | | |
| allows for quicker clean up of spills and | | | | Keep a basket filled with body wash, a |
| keeps things looking neat and tidy. | | | | natural sponge, pumice stone, bath salts and |
| | | | other pampering items near the tub within |
| If you have trouble reaching items in the | | | | easy reach. |
| back of deep cupboards or just enjoy | | | | |
| additional convenience, you can purchase | | | | Play your favorite soothing music, while you |
| pull-out trays, racks, or bins, which are | | | | indulge yourself. |
| mounted on the floor of the cupboard with a | | | | |
| few screws. They come in various sizes, are | | | | Step out of the shower or bath onto a soft |
| made of plastic, wire mesh, or other | | | | Egyptian cotton bathmat and dry your skin on |
| materials and often come with a stackable | | | | warm towels from the free-standing or wall |
| second level. | | | | mounted electric towel warmer. |
| | | | |
| For bathrooms with minimal drawer space you | | | | Replenish your skin's moisture with rich |
| can purchase multi-drawer units made from | | | | soothing lotion from your neck to your toes. |
| wood, wicker, plastic or metal at your | | | | |
| favorite bath store, retail outlet or even | | | | And finally, take a deep cleansing breath |
| the organizing section of your local home | | | | before you return to the world of mortals! |