How to Organize a Bathroom Cabinet

A bathroom cabinet can fill up quickly. Old products pile up at the back, bottles fall over, and the things you need every day are buried underneath. The good news is that you can reorganize a cabinet in about an hour, and it takes only a few simple steps.

This guide walks through the process, from emptying the cabinet to choosing organizers that keep it tidy.

Step 1: Empty the cabinet completely

Take everything out and place it on the counter or a towel on the floor. You cannot judge how much space you really have until the cabinet is empty. Wipe down the shelves while you are there.

Step 2: Sort and throw away what you do not use

Sort the items into three groups: keep, throw away and move elsewhere. Throw away anything that is empty, dried out, broken or past its expiry date. Check skincare, sunscreen and medicines in particular. Move anything that does not belong in the bathroom, such as spare cleaning supplies, to a better place.

Step 3: Group what is left

Put similar items together, for example skincare, hair care, dental care, first aid and spare toiletries. Groups make it easy to decide where things should go, and they help you choose the right organizers.

Step 4: Decide what goes where

Eye level and front: items you use every day.
Lower shelves: heavier items and larger bottles.
Higher or back shelves: spares and things you rarely use.
Out of reach of children: medicines and anything unsafe for them. Check the guidance on the packaging.

Step 5: Add organizers

Organizers make the difference between a tidy cabinet and one that is messy again a week later. Consider:

Trays and baskets: keep each group together, and you can lift a whole group out at once. See our bathroom baskets and boxes.
Stackable or two-tier shelves: use the height of the cabinet.
Drawer organizers: keep small items like brushes and razors in order. Browse vanity drawer organizers.
Under sink organizers: make the space around pipes useful. See our under sink organizers.
Countertop organizers: hold the few items you use daily so the cabinet is not overloaded. See countertop and vanity organizers.

Measure the inside of the cabinet before you buy anything, and compare it with the product dimensions.

Step 6: Put everything back

Load the cabinet in the order you decided: groups in their containers, daily items at the front, spares at the back. Make sure every group has a clear place, so putting things back is easy.

Step 7: Keep it organized

Check the cabinet every few months and throw away expired items.
Put items back in the same place after each use.
Buy one item at a time and finish an old one before opening a new one.

Common mistakes to avoid

Buying organizers before decluttering. Sort first, so you only buy storage for what you keep.
Not measuring. A basket that is a few centimeters too wide will not fit.
Using the cabinet for everything. Move daily items to the counter or a shower caddy so the cabinet is not overloaded.
Forgetting about moisture. Choose organizers that are easy to wipe clean and dry.

Need more storage?

If the cabinet is still full, add storage elsewhere. Bathroom shelves and racks use the walls, a shower caddy clears the shower, and our full range of bathroom storage and organizers covers every part of the bathroom. For more ideas, read our guide to small bathroom storage ideas.

FAQs

How often should I clean out my bathroom cabinet?

A quick check every few months is enough to remove empty and expired items, and a full reorganization once or twice a year keeps it under control.

How do I organize a small bathroom cabinet?

Declutter first, then use stackable shelves, small baskets and trays to use the height of the cabinet. Keep daily items at the front and store spares at the back.

What should I keep in a bathroom cabinet?

Items you use in the bathroom, such as skincare, dental care, hair care, first aid and spare toiletries. Check the packaging for storage advice, since some products and medicines have specific storage guidance.

How do I organize a bathroom cabinet with no shelves?

Use stackable organizers, baskets or a small shelf insert to create levels. Store taller items at the back and shorter ones at the front.