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